The 3E Online homepage and MSDS tab are now available in 15 languages. In addition to the original English, German, Spanish, French, French-Canadian and Italian, we’ve now added Spanish-Mexico, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

To select a language, simply click on the drop down box on the homepage of 3E Online, prior to logging in. If you hover over the language name in the drop down box, a yellow box will appear with the name of that language in English (see below).

Once users are logged in, they can search in their native language for an (M)SDS using the simple search on the MSDS tab.

3E Online Labeling Module: New Layout

We’ve made a few changes to the 3E Online Labeling Module, which utilizes the Client’s hazardous material inventory and 3E’s chemical classification data to populate secondary container labels that are able be viewed and printed directly from 3E Online®.

The first change is that you will no longer see a separate button for the Custom Label on the Action menu – all labels will now be accessed from the same Labels menu (see below).

The second change is that instead of the two tabs within the Label Module for NFPA and HMIS, you will see all three label types in list format under the category of ANSI. This new format will allow us to add additional categories down the road for other label formats including WHMIS and EU.

To view a label, simply click on the type of label you want and then choose a Source Document. The Source Document is the (M)SDS document whose information you want to use to populate your label. If you have (M)SDSs in different languages or formats tied to the same product, you will see those various documents listed in the drop down box for you to choose from. Then click Process Label. The label you selected will be displayed on a separate screen. You have the ability to switch label types from within the selected label by clicking on Select Another Label.

For more information on the Chemical Search feature, please contact 3E Company at 800-360-3220 or visit us on the web at www.3ECompany.com.

"Has the REACH-ECHA released any guidance recently on the authorization process for inclusion of substances in Annex XIV?"

The authorization process is aimed at addressing substances of very high concern. As part of the authorization process, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) made available on its website a list of 16 identified Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). These substances are considered to meet the criteria for identification as SVHC, so the Agency or a Member State is going to prepare an Annex XV dossier. Such substances will be prioritized by the Agency and may be included in the "candidate list" for possible inclusion in Annex XIV.

By June 1 2009, ECHA will announce the first recommendation of priority substances to be included in Annex XIV, which is the "list of substances subject to authorization". Substances of very high concern will be gradually included in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation.

On August 12, 2008 ECHA released the guidance on the inclusion of substances in Annex XIV and the guidance on priority setting for evaluation.

According to the guidelines, substances included in Annex XIV will not be used after the so-called "sunset date", unless the use is authorized. Applications for authorization have to be submitted to the Agency. Manufacturer(s), importer(s), and/or downstream user(s) of the substance may apply for one or several substances, for one or several own uses or uses intended for placing a substance on the market.

Authorizations will be granted for specific uses if:

• The applicant shows that the risks posed by a substance are adequately controlled;
• The applicant shows that socio-economic benefits of a use outweigh the risks;
• There are no suitable alternative substances or technologies available.

Decision on granting/refusing authorizations will take into account opinions of the Agency Committees on risk assessment and socio-economic analysis. For more information please access the ECHA report here.

--- Mihaela Mazilu

Ms. Mazilu is a Senior Regulatory Research Analyst with 3E Company.  She is responsible for monitoring regulatory developments and issues in Eastern and Western Europe.

This month's featured employee is Will Pettit, Regulatory Research Analyst. In this role, Mr. Pettit leads 3E Company's research and regulatory coverage for North America. He also provides regulatory consultation for 3E Company's TSCA Center of Excellence and assists the European and Asian research teams with related special projects.

Prior to joining 3E Company in 2005, Mr. Pettit worked as a manager of regulatory affairs with the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, where his responsibilities included managing the Association's regulatory affairs program on behalf of member clean water agencies and monitoring regulatory proposals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies. Mr. Pettit has also held positions with Greenman – Pedersen, Inc. as an environmental consultant and with the American Chemistry Council as an environmental regulatory coordinator.

Mr. Pettit enjoys working at 3E Company for a wide variety of reasons. "At 3E, I have been able to further my regulatory experience and work directly with some of the biggest companies in the chemical industry. Working with our customers closely has been an especially rewarding part of my job at 3E. Complying with environmental, health, and safety regulations worldwide is an incredible challenge for our customers. It feels good to know that 3E helps make compliance a reality," said Mr. Pettit.

Mr. Pettit earned his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and eating good food.

RILA Environmental Sustainability & Compliance Conference 2008

September 22-24, 2008

Location: Embassy Suites, Dallas-Frisco, Frisco, TX

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