WSP Environment & Energy’s REACH team was recently commissioned by the South African Chemical and Allied Industries Association (CAIA) to deliver seminars on the REACH and the Global Harmonised System (GHS). 

The seminars were open to both members and non-members of CAIA with around 140 attendees participated in the two one day seminars which were held in Johannesburg and Durban on the 8^th and 9^th October.

Colin Chambers, Associate Director at WSP Environment & Energy, delivered training which provided participants with a background and introduction to REACH, the key elements and obligations of REACH and an overview of recent events in REACH. Colin also provided insight into how REACH would affect South African businesses exporting to Europe and what they should do to continue to supply and support their customers in Europe. 

John Weetman, Principal Consultant at WSP Environment & Energy, provided participants with an overview of GHS. This included details on how GHS can be implemented by countries, what companies will need to do to prepare for it and an update of the status of GHS implementation around the Globe.

John and Colin both participated in a panel question and answer session at the end of each subject, as well as providing a number of one-on-one sessions.

Delivery of these seminars required extensive research and liaison with CAIA and our colleagues in the South African offices in order to determine the current level of knowledge of REACH and GHS across South Africa. The seminars have already lead to a number of requests for support on REACH and GHS from RSA businesses and have also provided an opportunity for our South African business to do further work on behalf of  CAIA.