REACH in the voestalpine Group

REACH stands for the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals. The new EU chemical directive replaces the previously valid law on chemicals and has been in effect since 1 June 2007 (EC Directive No. 1907/2006). Important objectives of the new EU chemical policies include improved protection of human health and the environment from potentially harmful risks. At the same time the aim is to maintain and improve competitiveness in the chemical industries of the European Union. In the future, companies are allowed to produce or import into the EU only those chemical substances that are proven to be safe for humans and the environment. Manufacturers and/or importers must be sufficiently provided with data on the respective material properties (particularly the physical and chemical properties, hazardous properties, environmental precautions). Each material must be specifically evaluated for each individual application.

A centralized department ensures uniform procedures in coordinating smooth implementation of REACH in all companies of the voestalpine Group. The operative responsibilities of REACH, as prescribed in the directive, are autonomously carried out by each individual voestalpine subsidiary. 

In order to fully comply with the new legal requirements, an inventory list of materials has been created. Available information on applications and exposition is being gathered and the available material-specific data are being evaluated. We are working very closely with our suppliers in order to ensure that our raw materials comply with REACH requirements and, most importantly, are pre-registered or will be registered before applicable deadlines. This includes support for our material applications as well as those of our customers. In compliance with our obligation, we are providing our raw material suppliers with sufficient information on the material safety evaluation for our product applications. We are would like to implement a uniform and practical procedure and are collaborating closely with industrial associations who work together with EUROFER and VDEh. If we as a manufacturer or importer are required by REACH to register materials, we will do so before the specified deadlines in order to secure our deliveries. 

We have already pre-registered all the respective materials that are subject to pre-registration. We assure our customers that the REACH directive will have no impact on the availability or attributes of our products and deliveries.

In close cooperation with the voestalpine companies and with our suppliers, we are dedicated to introducing the REACH directive as simply as possible for our customers. This means that our customers will be ensured a continuous supply of products that conform to REACH regulations. Continuous analyses will determine the effects of REACH on our products, and we will inform our customers immediately of any relevant changes. The REACH safety data sheets are the most important tool we have for ensuring that our chemical substances and preparations all comply with the safety guidelines. In certain cases, additional information is provided about material safety evaluations of products containing specific chemical substances. Some of this information will not be available for several years because registration of such information is not required until the year 2018.

For answers to product-specific questions

A REACH manager has been designated in each company of the voestalpine Group and will be glad to assist you if you require more information. Please use the link below to access a form which we ask that you use for this purpose.

Further information on REACH and the European Chemical Agency (ECHA):

EUROFER REACH Forum