DOWNSTREAM COMMUNICATION

Why needed
How chemSIX can help
The chemSIX approach
Typical Next Steps

Why needed

Communication in the supply chain is important to ensure that all companies have the information they need to prepare for REACH:

• Registration intentions
• Use and Exposure Scenario information
• (Draft) Safety Data Sheets and changes to Risk Management Measures
• Presence of SVHC

This information needs to be exchanged over the full REACH implementation period. Industry bodies CEFIC, FECC and DUCC, have proposed a supplier driven communication process to minimize the burden of this communication for companies in the supply chain.

The chemical Substance Information Exchange was created to enable this process and makes it easy for suppliers to provide relevant REACH information to their customers and enable them to provide input/feedback efficiently.

How chemSIX can help

On chemSIX, suppliers can set-up a secure-private web-based Product Catalog where they can store and keep up-to-date the relevant REACH information about individual products. Customers can be given access to up-to-date information about the products they buy. This way they are informed about the impact of REACH on these products. At the same time, chemSIX makes it easy for customers to provide structured, timely, feedback about any of the products they buy. This feedback can then be passed on to an upstream registrant for inclusion in the safety assessment.

The chemSIX approach

Not all customers are willing & able to participate actively in the supply chain communication process. Response rates to broad customer mailings are typically low.

To increase communication effectiveness and reduce the burden on all involved, chemSIX proposes the following approach:

• A supplier will make its intentions known to its customers that it plans to use chemSIX as platform for an active information exchange with interested customers
• Customers will be able to opt-in to this collaborative process by registering on chemSIX, using a registration link provided by the supplier
• Registered customers will receive log-in details for chemSIX where they will have permanent access to the latest REACH information about the products they buy.
• Customers that do not register will always be able to opt-in later. Until then, communication with this group will be limited and by other means.

The advantages of this approach are that resources (time, money) are focused on customers that have expressed interest in collaborating. In addition, customers get a choice whether they want to participate actively in the exchange. When customers change their mind they can always sign-up at a later stage.

Typical Next Steps

1. Sign-up as chemSIX member. When you indicate your intent to use chemSIX for downstream communication you will receive a link to your company’s registration form on chemSIX
2. Send a mailing to your customers explaining the importance of this process, how you are planning to use chemSIX and the benefits of this platform. Include the link to the registration form and indicate that customers should register to get access to the supplier information.
3. Decide, based on the number of registered customers, if you will proceed to set-up an online Product Catalog (or decide to interact with your customers differently)
4. Set-up and fill your company online Product Catalog for communication with customers
5. Give registered customers access to your online Product Catalog. Keep information up to date and monitor feedback.