Shandong Leather Exports Encounter EU Technical Barriers

It is reported that since June 1st, the European Union has promulgated and implemented a REACH technical code, the most complicated and influential technical barrier to date.

Affected by this, the export of more than ten thousand kinds of products in our province will be blocked.

REACH is the EU's acronym for registration, evaluation, licensing and restriction of chemicals.

The law was formally implemented in June 1, 2008.

According to the regulations, enterprises exporting to the EU, if chemical substances or downstream products exported to the EU contain more than 1 tons of chemical substances, must be registered according to the requirements. Products containing some chemical substances must be assessed or permitted to be examined.

Starting from December 1, 2008, enterprises without pre registration will not be able to export to the EU market.

It is understood that the REACH regulations are the most complex and influential technical barriers that China has encountered so far.

The implementation of the regulation not only covers more than 30 thousand chemicals, but also includes almost all products containing chemical components.

"Such products as fountain pens, candles and printing cartridges are exported to Europe. If they are not registered, they are illegal."

For Shandong Province, the implementation of the REACH regulations will seriously affect the competitiveness of Shandong's petrochemical industry's export products and the development of downstream industries, which will severely impede the production and export of chemical, mechanical, electrical, tire, light industry, textile, leather, clothing, automobile, metals, minerals and building materials in Shandong.

It is understood that the EU is the largest export market in Shandong. In 2007, Shandong exported 13000 enterprises to the EU, with an export volume of US $14 billion 400 million, of which more than 4000 were chemical or chemical related export enterprises, with an export volume of nearly US $6 billion.

If the knowledge is not in place and the countermeasures are not effective, these export enterprises may lose the EU market in the future, and the export of Shandong province will be seriously affected.

Experts suggest that enterprises exporting to the EU should establish a response team to familiarise themselves with the contents of REACH regulations as soon as possible, and have enough sober understanding and analysis of the serious effects caused by laws and regulations.

According to the requirements of the REACH regulations, prepare the relevant technical materials needed for pre registration and registration, grasp the registration period and speed up the registration process.

At the same time, measures should be taken to strengthen internal construction and establish a management mechanism for REACH.

At the same time, we should speed up product mix adjustment, improve environmental protection requirements and enhance international competitiveness.