SMEs Face Challenges Related to REACH
Compliance with
sustainability
legislation,
both at the
European Union
and national
levels, has been
tough for small
and medium
entetrprises
(SMEs) in Europe’s
coatings value
chain.
by Sean Milmo
European Correspondent
milmocw@rodmanmedia.com
Compliance with sustainability legisla- tion, both at the European Union and national levels, has been tough for small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe’s
coatings value chains stretching from the raw
materials suppliers and coatings producers to
distributors and users.
It has been easier for the larger players but
difficult for companies with fewer financial
and human resources to deal with regulations
aimed at protecting the environment and human health.
As a result differences in attitude to sus-
tainability have opened up in the coatings and
related industries, especially with regard to
the implementation of the EU’s controversial
legislation on REACH – the registration, eval-
uation, authorisation of chemicals, including
their application in products like coatings.
For many SMEs sustainability is a necessity but at times is an unnecessary strain which
imposes on them higher costs and alternative
products with poorer levels of performance.
“Rules seem to be been made with just large
enterprises in mind,” said Gerhard Huemer,
economic policy director, European Association
of Crafts, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
(UEAPME), Brussels, which has a large number of members who are producers, distributors
and, above all, users of coatings.
“SMEs comprise the vast majority of busi-
nesses in the EU,” he added. “Meeting their
needs should be the first principle when draw-
ing up, reviewing and implementing legislation.
There is some progress but it is not enough.”
Nonetheless there are now signs that the EU
and national governments are taking much more
