There is growing concern among regulators and industry leaders at the lack of action by members of many REACH substance information exchange fora (SIEFs).

Members of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Management Board were given a pessimistic picture of progress at last week's meeting. Although the responsibility for SIEF operation lies in industry's hands, the Agency is considering what extra advice and support it may be able to give. It has already published several documents giving advice and tips on SIEF operation.

The European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) has just released a set of FAQs based on discussions with the authorities aimed at alleviating a number of concerns that are thought to be blocking SIEF movement. It has also published the conclusions of a meeting held between the authorities and industry bodies at the end of March.

The UK Chemical Industry Association's commercial REACH service provider REACHReady also warned this week that it was coming across many companies who are simply waiting for someone else within a SIEF to initiate discussions on data sharing. In many cases, this is due to fear of doing the wrong thing. For instance, the position of SIEF formation facilitator (SFF) has been claimed by a consultant or other entity that is unknown to them, or a consortium is offering its services to lead the SIEF but on terms that are not sufficiently transparent and at significant potential cost.

It also urged companies not to wait any longer but to contact service providers, trade associations or others in order to obtain advice and learn from the experience of other SIEFs. For example, in many cases members are simply bypassing SFFs they do not trust.