Last week we told you about the just-opened REACH pre-registrations here. Now, the news from across the pond tells us that carbon and graphite are to be specifically included in the REACH submissions.
While the EU’s instruction impacts all forms of carbon and graphite, it is particularly pointed at carbon nanotubes which have recently been linked to asbestos-like impacts. We previously discussed this concern here.
Consequently, manufacturers and importers of carbon products, including carbon nanotubes will have to submit full health and safety data in order to comply with REACH. Remember, though, that the data does not have to submitted for a year or so.
Once REACH gets rolling, however, we can expect to see more data, and possibly more detailed data concerning the health impacts and concerns associated with nanotubes.
