Who'll pay?
The main criticism is that Reach in its current form does not require companies to carry out safety checks on substances produced or imported in amounts not exceeding 10 tonnes annually.
According to Greenpeace Poland, companies producing several harmful substances are required only to submit statements agreeing to comply with voluntary self-regulation. Greenpeace cited the Czech and Polish governments as being most aggressive in seeking a diluted Reach document.
Poland, the CEE's biggest economy, could still take something of a hit after Reach enters into force in June 2007 (the entire package will take effect only 11 years later). The Polish government and the chemical industry have been eyeing Reach with concern, especially with regard to costs of implementation, which are estimated at EUR 340-416 million in Poland alone.
The costs could well be digested by the biggest players in the sector, but could also prove lethal to hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that will be unable to bear the financial burden of substance registration. More costs will be incurred to purchase results of CSRs from more-advanced Western laboratories, particularly German and Dutch facilities. CSRs will become free of charge eventually, but only after 12 years — too late by far for many SMEs.
