News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Maureen Wren, 518-402-8000

DEC to Hold Workshop for New York Businesses to Learn about New European Union Chemical Management System

Opportunity to Hear About Impacts, Benefits of REACH

ALBANY, NY (09/06/2007; 1525)(readMedia)-- New York State has developed an innovative workshop that aims to educate businesses about new environmental regulations in the European Union and the important implications they will have on New York businesses exporting to EU member states, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The workshop, developed in partnership with Empire State Development, aims to help industry learn more about the new requirements -- also known as REACH – to foster compliance with regulations that protect the environment, and also to help provide New York businesses with a competitive advantage that a better understanding of these regulations will offer.

“The combined economy of the European Union member states is the largest in the world and the workshop we are offering is an important effort to help New York businesses understand the protective rules governing European Union member states,” said Commissioner Grannis. “In order to remain competitive in a global market, it is critical for New York businesses to be able to comply with environmental regulations outside of the United States.”

The workshop being held on September 26 at DEC headquarters in Albany will focus on the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH). REACH is a recently adopted overhaul of the chemicals management system in the EU. REACH has important implications for United States firms exporting to EU member states and the rules became effective on June 1, 2007.

The new REACH system places increased responsibility on companies to collect data on most chemicals on the market, assess the risk of these chemicals, and define safe use down the supply chain. It also requires companies to justify continued use of chemicals of very high concern. Any company that exports chemicals or chemical mixtures into the EU, competes in Europe, the U.S. or elsewhere with products meeting European standards, or exports finished products to Europe will be affected by REACH. The September 26 Albany workshop will feature one of the authors of the REACH legislation and will provide an update on chemical management activities in New York.

More details on the September 26 Albany workshop can be found below, or on the DEC web site at –www.dec.ny.gov/37414.html .

Workshop on Implementing the European Union’s New REACH Legislation September 26, 2007 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Location: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Headquarters, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York

Attend this one-day workshop to hear from one of the REACH authors and other experts and learn what your business needs to know to prepare for REACH, to stay competitive, and to advance more sustainable chemical management policies in your firm. Registration fee is $75.00. Visit www.chemicalspolicy.org/news.shtml for more information and to register. Produced by DEC, the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, and cosponsored by Empire State Development.