Synergist - November 2011

human health risks in the United States and globally, one of the program’s goals is to determine which populations will be more susceptible and vulnerable to diseases exacerbated by climate change. This program will also help to develop data, methods, and models to support health impact predictions.

“Governments and policy makers need
to know what the health effects from cli-
mate change are and who is most at risk,”
said John Balbus, M.D., NIEHS senior ad-
visor for public health and lead for NIEHS’
efforts on climate change. “The research
from this program will help guide public
health interventions, to ultimately prevent
harm to the most vulnerable people.”
For more information, visit
www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/p
rograms/climate/ index.cfm.

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EU to Chemical Industry: Start Preparing for the 2013 Registration Deadline

Companies manufacturing or importing chemicals in quantities at or above 100 tons per year are required to register these substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by May 31, 2013. In September, ECHA launched the “REACH 2013—Act Now!” campaign to remind the industry to start preparing for the deadline.

In a statement directed to the chemi-
cal industry, Geert Dancet, ECHA’s Exec-
utive Director, said, “I ask you to help us
to pass this message on so that compa-
nies start their preparations for registra-
tion earlier than last time and take full
benefit from the best practice and our
support tools to deliver dossiers of
higher quality.”
Visit the ECHA website at
www.echa.europa.eu/ 2013_en.asp for
materials related to the 2013 deadline.

On Sept. 23, ECHA and the European Commission held a conference that highlighted best practices for meeting the registration deadline. To view recorded presentations from the conference, visit http://webcast.ec.europa.eu/eutv/portal/i ndex.html.

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ECHA Introduces New Procedure for Submitting Alternative Chemical Name Requests

Manufacturers, importers and downstream users of chemicals who wish to request an alternative name for a chemical can now use an online form created by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Information about the form is available at http://echa.europa.eu/clp/ request_for_alternative_name_en.asp.

Producers of mixtures are obliged to inform users of any relevant hazardous ingredient in the mixture by disclosing its chemical identity. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) or EU member states may grant exemptions from this obligation. Before such exemptions are granted, ECHA examines whether the safe use of the mixture may be compromised.