The overarching objective of this study for the European Commission (DG GROW) was to evaluate changes to the operational conditions and the structure of the chemicals industry and downstream industries following the introduction of the REACH Regulation over the period between 2010 and 2013. The specific aims of the study can be paraphrased as to:
- Identify, test and apply methodologies for evaluating the coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impacts of REACH in relation to the chemical industry and major downstream user sectors;
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of REACH implementation with respect to the conditions and structure of the market, consumer choice, compliance costs and administrative procedures and any other relevant indicators identified during the course of the study; and
- Provide recommendations to remedy any weaknesses identified in REACH implementation to minimise the possible adverse effects of REACH implementation and to maximise the impacts of specific REACH mechanisms that improve business conditions for economic operators.
The study was led jointly by RPA and CSES with contribution of Ökopol GmbH. Work focussed on the issues set out below and involved a computer aided telephone interview (CATI) survey of 1,200 businesses, an online business survey, 104 interviews with REACH stakeholders, 56 in-depth interviews with selected firms and five thematic case studies.
- Single Market and Harmonisation
- External Competitiveness
- Costs of Registration 2013
- Business opportunities
- SIEF (substance information exchange forum) & Registration Consortia
- SMEs
- Downstream Users (“DUs”)
- Innovation
- Human Resources & Consultants
- SVHC (substances of very high concern) and Authorisations
- Support
- Costs of Registration 2018
