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In the ECHA's pilot project on internet sales from 2017, however, shocking results were immediately found: more than 80% of the inspected webshops were not compliant with the legislation. In response, nearly all companies that were classified as non-compliant in the pilot have been addressed, and more than 25% of them have received a fine.
Not only highly toxic, hazardous substances were investigated in this project, but also regular household, garden, and kitchen products that contain hazardous substances. The pie chart from the ECHA report shows that a large part of the controlled products are everyday products.
Enforcement has been scaled up with the main REACH-EN-FORCE project, which ran from January to the end of 2020 and involved checks in 29 countries for compliance with informing consumers about the hazards of products before they purchase them. While it is mandatory to list the hazards of a product online, this is only done by few webshops. However, especially large webshops are beginning to mention the necessary safety information, due to increasing enforcement.
“The eighth major Forum enforcement project (REF-8) focusing on the online sale of substances, mixtures, and products has entered its operational phase and will run until December 31, 2020. 29 countries will participate in the project.” “Inspectors will check if buyers are informed about the existence of hazardous substances before the purchase is completed and if particular aspects of the regulations are fulfilled. This can be checked by controlling the advertisement of a chemical product or by purchasing products and subsequently analyzing them.” - Source: European Chemicals Agency news release
“The ultimate aim is to take action and raise awareness when companies are not fully complying with chemicals law. Combining expertise allows national inspectors to address legal provisions more thoroughly and more efficiently than they otherwise could do alone at national level,” - Source: European Chemicals Agency newsletter
The goal of this large-scale project was to raise awareness and strengthen the enforcement of chemical laws. The results of this project are expected at the end of 2021. Are you curious about how the regulations for webshops work and how Veiligvertoon can help you? Check out our article about CLP Article 48 , in which we explain which information you as a seller must mention with the products and how Veiligvertoon can make this easier, more professional, and more efficient.