The European Commission appointed The Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services (CSES), Otford, UK, Risk & Policy Analysts (RPA), Norfolk, UK, and Ökopol Institut für Ökologie und Politik GmbH (Ökopol), Hamburg, Germany, to conduct a study to evaluate the changes in the operational conditions and structures of the chemicals industry and downstream industries after the introduction of REACH.

The questionnaire is available in eight languages, should be completed by a person with considerable experience with the implementation of the Regulation before March 10, and consists of nearly 90 questions in 12 sections. These include:

• the single market and harmonization;
• registration from the perspective of chemical companies, and downstream users, distributors and suppliers;
• business opportunities and innovation;
• Siefs and consortia;
• impacts on formulators and article suppliers;
• human resources and consultants;
• candidate list substances, substances of very high concern, authorizations and restrictions;
• the 2018 REACH registration deadline; and
• support structures.

Based on the survey results as well as on additional information that will be gathered through more in-depth interviews, the three consultants will provide a set of recommendations to DG Growth in June. The aim is to provide insights on the impacts of REACH on market structure, consumer choice and prosperity, and to examine compliance costs and administrative procedures.
According to REACH Article 117(4), the Commission must produce a review of how the Regulation is working every five years. The first was due on 1 June 2012, but was actually published eight months late in February 2013. The second review should be expected by early 2018.

• Survey
• EU Commission launches major REACH impacts study,
  Chemical Watch February 19, 2015.