The REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation - and restriction of Chemicals) Regulations define an "article" as "an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which defines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition".
A widely used example would be a polystyrene cup, which is an article because its shape is more important than its composition, which is pure polystyrene. The difference is important in the terms of REACH because only chemicals need to be registered and, where required, authorised. The obligations for substances in articles are different and in general less onerous.
A widely used example would be a polystyrene cup, which is an article because its shape is more important than its composition, which is pure polystyrene. The difference is important in the terms of REACH because only chemicals need to be registered and, where required, authorised. The obligations for substances in articles are different and in general less onerous.
The status of "wire" would depend on the type and how it is used:
Copper Wire is usually used without its shape changing and as its shape
is more important to the user than its composition (length, diameter
etc) this is defined as an article.
Solder Wire is melted to form solder joints which have a completely
different shape to the original wire. In this example the shape is
clearly less important than the composition (the alloy composition
controls wetting, melting point etc) and so, under REACH, it is a
"preparation" or in other words, a mixture of chemicals such as tin,
silver, copper etc.
Recent guidance from the European Chemicals Agency on substances in articles states that simple shaping of metallic articles such as sheet or extrusion profiles to the final product does not affect the status of the sheet or profile as an article (because the original shape was more important). However, if the material is melted, extruded etc, this implies that the original shape was less important than the composition and, therefore, this material would be deemed a preparation.
Thanks to ERA Technology for input.
Recent guidance from the European Chemicals Agency on substances in articles states that simple shaping of metallic articles such as sheet or extrusion profiles to the final product does not affect the status of the sheet or profile as an article (because the original shape was more important). However, if the material is melted, extruded etc, this implies that the original shape was less important than the composition and, therefore, this material would be deemed a preparation.
Thanks to ERA Technology for input.
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