False start for REACH as ECHA admit to computer problems

In a number of news reports (eg RSC), the problems experienced at The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), have been highlighted. ECHA is responsible for running the European Union's new REACH scheme to regulate the use of chemicals, and it is clear that the agency is still struggling to put its IT system into full operation, more than two weeks after the start of the project's pre-registration period (1 June, 2008).

In May, Helsinki-based ECHA warned that it was having problems resolving teething problems with the system for bulk pre-registration of substances but it gave assurances that its IT facility would be working properly within a fortnight of the start of pre-registration.

The best advice is not to be first and to wait until things settle down before submitting your data - the ECHA organisation is new, REACH is new, so teething problems are to be expected.