TESS toolbox helps SMEs through complexities of REACH

The Toolbox to Evaluate Sustainable Systems (TESS) has been launched this month to help manufacturers, especially SMEs, meet the demands of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) and low carbon manufacturing.

TESS is the result of a Euro 4.7m three-year cooperation between 17 trade associations, SMEs and research organisations.

Managed by the UK Chemical Industries Association, its aim has been to identify effective routes through the complexities of REACH legislation to meet the particular needs of manufacturers and to provide information on the evaluation and testing of the chemical compounds involved for classification purposes.

The TESS partners focused on four main research areas: they evaluated and simplified REACH legislation for SMEs; analysed the impact of chemical toxicology on health and the environment; looked at the use of green chemistry in manufacturing; and assessed the practicalities of sustainable supply chains.

TESS project leader Dave Boland said the online Toolbox at www.reach-serv.com is a free service and the site has received a substantial number of hits since a test version went online earlier this year.

The Toolbox gives priority to the specific issues of SME chemical manufacturers. It contains a full range of "modules" to match the key European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) activities and to meet the timeline that European manufacturers have to comply with.

The Toolbox can also help with the transition to low carbon manufacturing by systematically presenting possible solutions for future sustainability built around alternative forms of manufacture and incorporating bio feeds where possible. "This aspect of the software is unique, and I anticipate the build-up of interest to be fast," added Boland.