Reach

REACH

European Regulation No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) entered into force on 1st June 2007. Under REACH, companies operating in the EU face certain obligations as manufacturers, importers and/or downstream users of chemical substances. These obligations are staggered and become effective in stages; this means that different deadlines apply over the next 10 years.

Samsung Electronics is committed to meeting our legal obligations under REACH and we are working with our suppliers to enable this. The two key requirements which are currently effective are:

(1) Duty to Communicate Information on Substances in Articles (Article 33)

(2) Pre-registration of Substances (on their own, in preparations, in articles)

Information for Recipients & Customers

Article 33 of REACH requires suppliers to inform recipients and respond to consumer enquiries if an article contains more than 0.1% (by weight per article) of any substance on the candidate list of SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern).

The majority of products and packaging as manufactured and/or supplied by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (SEC) do not contain substances on the REACH SVHC candidate list in concentrations greater than 0.1% by weight per article. The limited number of articles affected are listed here. In addition, consumers can use the Contact Us form to submit queries relating to REACH or SVHC.

Pre-Registration

The compliance period for pre-registration of substances ran from 1st June 2008 to 30th November 2008. Samsung Electronics has ensured that our suppliers have fulfilled pre-registration requirements for relevant substances via the Only Representative model. Only Representatives (OR) are natural or legal persons appointed by non-EU Manufacturers to fulfil the obligations of Importers.

Samsung Electronics' pre-registration compliance obligations have focused on two main product categories as follows:

Printer cartridges

Printer toner and ink cartridges have been classified as a ‘preparation in a container' and therefore the substances therein must be registered if imported into the EU in quantities of at least 1 tonne per year. Samsung Electronics implemented a compliance programme with our toner & ink suppliers to ensure that they pre-registered relevant substances via the appointment of an Only Representative.

Silver ion washing machines

Samsung Electronics’ silver ion washing machines use electrolysis to generate silver ions which are released in very small quantities during the wash cycle. This constitutes an intentional release and therefore Samsung Electronics has ensured that the relevant pre-registration obligations have been met as required under Article 7 of REACH.