REACH e-learning tool offers starting point for non-experts

Online course can help experts communicate with other business functions.

An internet-based ‘REACH learning tool’ has been developed jointly by three European consultancies to provide the first step on the ladder in understanding the complex EU Regulation.

The consultants – DHI, Ökopol and HSE Consult - say in their daily work they have identified a need to give an easy explanation about REACH. All three companies have been heavily involved in REACH implementation projects at European, national and company level.

Helle Simon Elbro, of HSE Consult, believes the tool – essentially an online training course - will be especially useful for technical staff within companies wanting to explain what REACH is all about to commercial people in sales or purchasing departments who do not have a background in health and safety. It is also appropriate for those working in SMEs and in REACH competent authorities.

Ms Simon Elbro notes that many people are overloaded with written technical information on REACH that can be quite abstract; the e-learning tool is quick - and free - to access and provides an uncomplicated approach using basic language. It is available in Danish, German and English.

“The idea of the e-learning tool is that any user could start here before even using the navigator on the [European] Commission web-site. It gives the user a basic language and knowledge of REACH,” she says.

The tool provides a general introduction and overview of the legislation using graphics and an audio presentation. There are plans to update it as REACH guidance is published. It may also be expanded to include a module on exposure scenarios and to offer it in additional languages including Spanish, French and Swedish.

The tool’s creators note that many companies are affected by REACH, but not all are aware of this, nor of the duties they have under the regulation. By following the online course, people should be able to identify their roles under REACH and grasp the right vocabulary to start asking questions about how they will be affected, say the consultants. From here, they should also be able to understand the more extensive guidelines provided by helpdesks, associations and other public bodies to help companies implement REACH.

Funding of the REACH e-learning tool was initiated by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Co-funding was additionally secured from the project partners themselves and from the German Federal Environment Agency.

• E-REACH website
• ECHA REACH navigator

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