REACH: Risks,challenges and opportunities for sintered parts manufacturers

The EU REACH regulation shifts the responsibility (burden of proof) for collection, evaluation and assessment of ‘chemical’ materials data from the authorities to the industry. As a result, all members of the PM supply chain must contribute to the protection of human health and the environment with regard to all substances they produce, distribute or use. The basic principle is: ‘No data, no market’. In view of this increased responsibility of individual companies, it is important for those with hazardous substances in their portfolio to consider which should be retained in the long term and which ones can be phased out. For sintered parts manufacturers, finding viable solutions to the implementation of REACH that are acceptable to the market requires effective communication with partners along the supply chain. Nickel is a substance of particular concern to PM parts manufactures and the implications of controlling dust exposure are considered.