Many companies are unaware that the use of desiccants such as silica gel or calcium chloride in shipments to the EU requires very detailed registrations and volume tracking. The following is a brief introduction to these obligations.
Registration
Under REACH regulations, desiccants such as silica gel sachets and calcium chloride sachets are considered as substances within an article (the sachet). This means that the contents of the sachet must be registered under REACH. It is important to understand this is not just a simple SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) report which can be easily prepared by many testing labs. Registration is an involved and long term process that must be done by a company located in the EU.
Tracking
Whoever brings the desiccant into the EU (including as part of the packaging) must track the volume imported and be prepared to show these statistics to the authorities. Tracking of volumes is required because of the registration requirements for imports exceeding one metric ton per year. This tracking must be done by an EU company.
REACH Exempt Desiccants
An all-natural, non-chemically modified desiccant such as Micro-Pak Dri Clay® Kraft is REACH exempt (no need for registration or import tracking) per Annex V Entry 7 of the REACH legislation.
Key takeaways
- Silica gel – Requires registration and volume tracking.
- Calcium chloride – Requires registration and volume tracking.
- Micro-Pak Dri Clay® Kraft – exempt from registration and volume tracking.
Learn More about Micro-Pak’s plastic free, all natural, biodegradable Dri Clay® desiccant.
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