04-Feb-2010 - source Chemwatch
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has outlined the timings for switching from IUCLID 5.0 and 5.1 to version 5.2 for REACH registrations. Companies wishing to register have until March this year to submit dossiers using the existing versions of the software - after that date all registrants will need to use IUCLID 5.2, which will be available from 15 February.

IUCLID 5.2 will enable registrants to submit classification and labelling (C&L) information, in line with the classification, labelling and packaging Regulation. The new version is also adapted in the use descriptor sections, 3.5 and 3.6, in line with the updated Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment. Other changes aim to facilitate automatic dossier processing in REACH-IT.

Companies can automatically transfer data stored in their IUCLID database from the older formats to the new IUCLID 5.2 format when they install the new version. The next version of REACH-IT, scheduled to be launched 1 March 2010, will only accept dossiers prepared in IUCLID 5.2. The exact cutoff date for IUCLID 5.0 and 5.1 will depend on the actual launch of REACH-IT 2.0 - as soon as this is available, the older versions will no longer be accepted.

The exact date will be confirmed after tests, which began today, are completed. The new version of REACH-IT will enable submission of C&L notifications, bulk C&L notifications, Legal Entity changes and declarations on the cessation of manufacture.

In addition, an IUCLID 5 backup plug-in to capture all IUCLID data has been made available for download on the IUCLID website. The tool will allow selection of administrative data, such as users, user preferences and roles, EC Inventory, and literature inventories. The information can then be restored to IUCLID 5.2 when it is initialised.