REACH presents challenges and opportunities for organizations worldwide. ICF International can help decipher REACH requirements and milestones for corporations that conduct business in Europe by helping them develop a strategic plan that is right for their business.
From supporting organizations’ critical decision-making to helping them comply with the challenges of REACH, ICF’s experts have extensive knowledge and experience in human health and ecological risk sciences, information technology (IT), economic analysis, and organizational design. |
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ICF advises companies on a broad range of business areas, including evaluating whether to remove a product from the market, anticipating impacts on competitors, or responding to REACH as an opportunity to expand market share.
About REACH
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is the European Commission's new regulatory system for chemicals. It requires companies to register existing and new substances with the European Chemicals Agency.
Manufacturers, importers, and downstream users will need to demonstrate and document that the manufacture, import, or use of a substance does not adversely affect human health or the environment and that risks are avoided or adequately controlled. REACH covers approximately 30,000 chemicals. The stakes are high, as compliance costs can be significant, and noncompliant products will be banned from the European market.
REACH requires organizations to change the way they manage data and business processes throughout the supply chain. Organizations need to enhance existing systems, put new IT tools in place, and integrate existing and new tools to support information management and regulatory reporting requirements. As a result, business processes need to be redesigned and new processes must be developed. ICF has more than 700 professionals providing IT and management solutions to clients, including the chemical industry.
ICF also understands the data and analyses necessary for REACH compliance. We have more than 140 environmental health scientists, ecologists, engineers, economists, and chemists who can provide technical assistance for REACH substance assessments.
ICF’s Integrated Approach to REACH
ICF understands that every business is different and can help identify specific solutions for each organization’s needs. To help organizations manage and implement REACH activities, ICF provides seasoned program management, management tools, technical support, and partnerships with REACH experts based in Europe.
ICF currently manages large-scale implementation programs for private and public sector clients. We have the ability to consolidate management of REACH implementation services, including identifying and coordinating consulting firms, laboratories, technology providers, and expert REACH resources. As a company’s partner in achieving REACH compliance, ICF can help manage requirements and opportunities in the following areas:
REACH Business Strategy
With ICF’s combined expertise in toxicology and risk sciences, information technology, economic analysis, and organizational design, we can help companies with strategic planning and decision making. For example, REACH may force companies to evaluate whether to remove a product from the market or, anticipating impacts on competitors, REACH may create an opportunity for companies to expand market share. ICF strategic services include:
- assessing potential socioeconomic impacts of REACH
- conducting activity and cost analysis for aspects of compliance
- examining use patterns and product characteristics impacting cost
- evaluating whether an organization should keep its product in the European market
Operational Model and Business Process Development
REACH requires organizations to redesign existing business processes and develop new processes. ICF has been working with clients for years to evaluate, design, reengineer, and implement business processes and information management strategies. ICF brings a well-established approach and experience with a wide range of leading enterprise architecture and process modeling tools.
For organizations in the planning stages for REACH, ICF can facilitate and conduct business process design projects and develop implementation strategies that incorporate people, process, and technology.
Substance Data Management and Analysis
ICF has more than 25 years of experience conducting human health and ecological risk assessments of chemicals and has prepared chemical dossiers and safety reports with content and analysis identical to what is expected to be required by REACH.
Gathering and reviewing internal chemical data will be a crucial step in the REACH process. Among its various services, ICF can:
- help compile substance inventory
- assess the chemical, physical, and toxicological test data client organizations already have available
- conduct chemical substitutes and socioeconomic analyses
- develop strategies for risk assessments
Information Technology
REACH requires organizations to enhance existing systems, put in place new IT tools, and integrate existing and new tools to support information management and regulatory reporting requirements. ICF can help. With more than 700 professionals providing IT and management solutions to clients in the private and public sectors, our services include software development, IT strategy, enterprise architecture planning, and systems integration.
Enabling Tools—Activity Tracking and Training
In addition to designing and leading training programs, ICF develops training and knowledge management portals. In doing so, ICF delivers updated training material and content as regulations or market conditions evolve.
Change Management
REACH poses a significant change management challenge for organizations. As new processes are defined and new tools are implemented, ICF can work with organizations to design and implement change management programs.
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