Webinar: ECHA Chem – Exploring the ECHA website to help with classification of substances and mixtures

Webinar Overview

We have come to accept that there is a wealth of information at our fingertips to help us find details on chemical substances thanks to the internet for these resources, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) database is perhaps the largest and most comprehensive source of information on substances in the World.

The layout and format of ECHA Chem is different to the older website that is being wound down. Sometimes it also seems there is too much information, but there are also limitations of the data.

So, the challenge is to be able to use the website efficiently to find the information we need, and to be confident that what we have found is indeed reliable. There is also the danger of falling down the rabbit hole of hyper-links and references and getting in so deep that we have forgotten what we set out to look for. Do we need to check every single data entry for a registered substance, or just look at summary information?

This is the first of two planned webinars exploring the information held in ECHA Chem. In this event, we will be looking at the classification of substances to review the existing data that may be presented as ‘harmonised’, or ‘industry’ generated, and then whether based on REACH Registrations or CLP Notifications.

We need to have confidence in the quality of information presented and how to judge reliability of data. And if this is all the information we can find, do we accept it when preparing our own safety data sheets (SDSs) or classifying chemicals?

Key Takeaways

Why Attend?

To be able to make informed decisions on potential hazards of substances used on their own or in mixtures and to be able to manage risk, as well as communicate the findings on SDS, it is essential to be confident in the source of information being used.

Data reliability impacts:

    Our Presenter

Mark Selby, Denehurst Chemical Safety Ltd
Mark originally worked in industry and at a contract testing laboratory before setting up independently at about the time REACH was invented. Mark sat on various groups during the formation of REACH, including REACH Implementation Projects trying to ensure science won over form-filling activities as REACH evolved. Mark has been a training with CHCS for over 20 years and is a consultant with the Chemical Industry Association REACHReady. 

Webinar Chair

Louise Witter
Louise Witter, BSc (Hons), LL.B, is proudly steering the ship as the Chair of the Chemical Hazards Communication Society (CHCS) from ‘bonnie’ Scotland. A seasoned consultant for her own business, CLP LTD, where she has guided clients on all things, labelling, and safety data sheets for more than 20 years. Louise works with a range of industry organisations, including presenting at conferences across the world and regularly training for the Chemical Business Association.

Louise's journey started with a marine and environmental biology degree from St Andrews University, followed by a law degree from Aberdeen University. Combining her studies and experience, Louise takes a unique approach to her consultancy work, starting at the beginning and getting to the root of what customers want to achieve, rather than delivering an out of the box solution. Louise is renowned internationally as a consultant providing opinions on chemical legislation compliance and regulatory liaison.

Registration
The webinar is free of charge for members of CHCS: please click on the REGISTER button on this web page. 

You will receive an email of confirmation and then an email from GoToWebinar explaining how to join the event on the day.

We are also pleased to offer the webinar free-of-charge to members of BADGP and SCHC (click on the links to see how to register).

If you are interested in attending, but not a member of these organisations, you can JOIN CHCS and then register, free-of-charge. Further webinars on a variety of topics are also being planned.