The manufacturers of Organoclays have joined efforts for their REACH compliance activities and have launched in February 2009 the Organoclays REACH consortium.

Consortium description
To prepare a consistent test dossier and classification & labelling, the secretariat of the Organoclays consortium will be handled by ReachCentrum.

Substances covered
The substances covered (Organoclays) are naturally occurring clay minerals (phylosilicates) that are surface treated specifically to change the hydrophilic surface into a hydrophobic surface without changing the structure of the clay mineral. As such, the surface-treated Organoclays are exempt from registration, as explained in the ECHA Frequently Asked Questions published in June and November 2008 (Question 6.3.8). This use of the surface treatment substance will be covered by the registration dossier of the surface treatments substances themselves. The mineral substrates used are exempted from registration under Article 2.7(b) and Annex V.7 of REACH.

As a guide, a list of representative substances can be found in the Organoclays substances list. This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.

Membership
The Organoclays REACH consortium is open to manufacturers/ importers/ only representatives as defined in the REACH Regulation of the substance on its own, in preparations or in articles and that are subject to the registration requirements pursuant to the REACH Regulation, or Affiliates thereof.

Membership is open to any applicant fulfilling the membership criteria. The Organoclays consortium is open to any European and non-European companies manufacturing and/or importing Organoclays, which are similar to one or several of the substances covered. Downstream users and other data holders are invited to play an active role in the work of the consortium.

Organisation
The Organoclays REACH consortium structure includes a Steering Committee, Technical Committee and Substance Task Forces and the consortium secretariat managed by ReachCentrum.

Interesting links
Cefic
IMA - Industrial Minerals Association