In line with its commitment to Sustainable Development, Rhodia became actively involved at a very early date alongside the European Commission to ensure the efficient adoption of REACH. The Group has mobilized its organization, expertise and resources to ensure it complies with the REACH regulation that came into force on June 1, 2007.

A great many experts take part in the working groups set up by professional bodies – such as the CEFIC European Chemical Industry Council – to develop and deploy tools and processes making it possible to satisfy the demands made by REACH with a minimum of disruption for Rhodia or for the activities of its customers and suppliers.

An inventory of substances, preparations, etc. has been drawn up along with the identification of the REACH status for each of the substances listed. At present, the Group intends to register all the substances contained in the products it manufactures in, or imports into the European Union (Rhodia products manufactured outside the EU). And, starting on June 1, 2008, the Group has taken the necessary steps to pre-register all its substances.

At the same time, Rhodia has launched an action plan with its suppliers to ensure that the products it buys satisfy, or will satisfy, REACH requirements, and possible to help them register the substances they supply and, in this way, be able to guarantee the continuity of the supply chain.

In parallel, our people have worked on the following phases:

• Drawing up an inventory of the physico-chemical, toxicological and eco-toxicological data

• Determination of the substances that are potentially candidates for authorization

• Identification of customer usage/exposure

Or have taken part in the creation of the first consortia.