FBDI sets an example with REACH

According to Fachverbandes der Bauelemente Distribution, FBDI e. V. (the trade association of German electronic components distributors), meeting the demands of the European Chemicals regulation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) requires that ‘every player in the supply chain has to define its role precisely under REACH and must be able to apply or implement it in practice’. Everyone involved throughout the supply chain may be affected: manufacturers, distributors, as well as OEM or distribution customers, irrespective of how much in the way of possibly dangerous ingredients they buy or process in products from EU or non EU states. For distributors this means duties as importers, producers or suppliers of products. “A willingness to cooperate between the parties involved is essential for the professional handling of REACH, and transparency of information between manufacturers, distributors and customers is indispensable in that context,” stated the FBDI. The vision of the association goes even further. In the medium term it would be efficient in terms of costs and resources to define a standard according to which the data relating to REACH would be acquired and processed. A major project, the planning and implementation of which would be a challenge to the entire electronics industry.