In October 2007, the British High Court ruled on an obligation under REACH for EU polymer manufacturers and importers.

EU polymer manufacturers and importers must now register constituent monomers if no other actor in the supply chain has done so. This obligation applies to each individual supply chain.

The High Court’s decision was made in the context of judicial review proceedings brought by four chemical companies seeking clarification over the regulation related to allowable levels of monomers in polymers. These companies claimed that the current regulation was ambiguous and that a strict interpretation could see polymer companies having to cease trading in Europe.

The ruling will now form the basis for interpretation of Article 6 of the REACH Regulation under UK law. The High Court has referred the provisions of the ‘REACH’ Regulation which relate to polymers and monomers to the Court of Justice of the European Communities (‘ECJ’).

Downloads