Reaching a standard: Lubricants in the glass industry

The clarification of implications in the glass industry with respect to the manufacturers of mould lubricants and the introduction of the REACH legislation is discussed. The objective of the REACH is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and environment from the risk of chemicals and provide increased transparency whereby, maintaining and enhancing competitiveness and innovation in the EU chemical industry. The REACH regulation does not require the pre-registration of lubricants, composed of substances manufactured within the EU. The full formulation of lubricants will be registered while the base oil used in these formulations will be registered by 2010, additives and other components will be registered by 2013 or 2018. The safety data sheets (SDS) will be updated or extended with information generated through the registration process. All European lubricants and manufacturers are expected to be familiar with the rules and implications of REACH.