Global electronics industry survey finds dismal REACH knowledge

One-third of senior managers, EHS managers profess to no understanding of REACH Regulation.

A survey of 749 companies in the global electronics supply chain has found a "distressing lack of understanding throughout the industry on the impact and scope of REACH".

Carried out by IPC, the US electronics industry trade association, the survey questioned companies earlier this month on their awareness and preparations to comply with the Regulation.

Around 84% of responding companies had operations in North America, 52% in Europe, 41% in China, 26% in other Asian countries and 20% in the rest of the world.

Respondents were asked to measure on a 1-10 scale their level of understanding of the Regulation. The responses were shown separately for staff in senior management, manufacturing, purchasing, EHS and engineering. A third of each group rated their understanding at the bottom of the scale.

IPC warns that it is "highly unusual" for so many respondents to choose the lowest rating.

EHS managers were found to be the most aware of all personnel questioned, yet 28% professed to have no understanding of the REACH Regulation. IPC notes for instance, that though substances in solder products will need to be REACH-registered, over 40% of EHS managers in companies supplying them professed to no awareness. In contrast, EHS managers in companies supplying to the military were found to be substantially more aware than others.

One-third of senior management also professed to have no knowledge. Manufacturing and purchasing managers were the least aware of compliance requirements.

Chemical suppliers were the most aware of the Regulation - 87% had prepared inventories of substances and 60% were preparing to pre-register or register these.

Tony Hilvers, IPC vp for industry programs concludes: "The survey clearly indicates that our industry is woefully unprepared for the hit it’s about to take." IPC is now planning a wide range of activities to boost awareness including webinars and a supply chain programme.

• IPC statement
• IPC REACH survey report

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