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CBA slams REACH fees discount definitions

The UK-based Chemical Business Association (CBA) has questioned the way the European Commisison has defined the size of companies that can claim discounts on REACH registration fees, adding that the concessions are of 'doubtful value' in making the new legislation affordable for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). According to the association, the Commission has based its size definition on 2003 data, despite the fact that chemicals have seen significant price inflation. As a result only a few firms will qualify for the 60% and 90% discounts because their turnover will exceed the small and micro thresholds. Only 8% of CBA's member companies currently qualify as micro businesses under the Commission's definition, as compared with 34% which would have qualified in 2005.

• CBA
• Fees regulation in OJ
• CW Newslink 25 January 2008