1. 8
2013 campaign
Smallercompaniesgainconfidenceinmanaging
REACHdossiers
For the 2013 deadline, Endura SPA
will register two substances as a
member of an already existing joint
submission from the 2010 deadline,
as well as three intermediates. For
one of these intermediates, Endura
proposed its nomination for the
role of lead registrant. “We will do
this internally, without seeking help
from consultants,” says Mr Prota. A
good reason for this, according to
him, is the fact that ECHA provides
a lot of support to companies that
are serious about complying with
the legislation. “For smaller compa-
nies, the ECHA Helpdesk service is
very important.”
In October, Mr Prota attended
ECHA’s lead registrant workshop
for the first time. He finds partici-
pation in the Agency’s events very
useful. “This was a great opportu-
nity to meet scientists from ECHA,
to listen to interesting presenta-
tions, and to start networking.” He
appreciated the practical training
on IUCLID, but he says he benefit-
ted most from the one-to-one
session: “Endura’s main business
is biocides and in the one-to-one
session I also had the possibility to
clarify important questions about
the links between REACH and the
new legislation for biocides.”
“It would be perfect if, in the future,
in addition to the webinars, there
would be a possibility to have online
one-to-one sessions,” he concludes.
TEXT BY VIRGINIA MERCOURI
Italian firm Endura SPA is a
small and medium sized enter-
prise (SME) taking a leading role
in the REACH registration pro-
cess. Mr Giovanni Prota, work-
ing in Endura SPA’s Regulatory
Affairs Department, is managing
the dossier for piperonyl butox-
ide (PBO). The substance was
registered in 2010. At that time,
the registration dossier was
prepared by external consult-
ants. “We have now changed our
REACH strategy and taken over
the dossier from the consult-
ants. We are already managing
the updates internally,” says Mr
Prota.
“The consultants were of great help
for preparing the registration,” Mr
Prota admits, “but it is both easier
to comply with the legislation and
more beneficial for the company
if it is in charge of the activities
following the registration. We are
in contact with our customers,
monitor the use of the substance
in the supply chain and receive a
lot of information for updating the
exposure scenarios. It is clear to us
that if we manage the dossier, we
are also able to enter the market
more actively. When our clients and
partners ask questions, we are able
to answer them.”
Asked if he would advise a friend or
a colleague from an SME to become
a lead registrant for a substance,
he is clear: “If the substance is the
core business of the company, it is
better to choose the role of lead
registrant. This means that you
take an active role in the prepara-
tion of the registration dossier to
ensure that you meet your obliga-
tions in an appropriate manner.”
Mr Giovanni Prota says that smaller companies should be encouraged to take on the role of
lead registrant. “If the substance is the core business of the company, it is better to choose
the role of lead registrant," he says.
© GIOVANNI PROTA