Better Roads

April 2014

Better Roads Digital Magazine

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C onstruction equipment could go the way of the Sony PlayStation if equipment manufacturers don't put the framework in place to deal with customs issues that could arise from enforcement from the European Union's REACH (the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisiation [sic] and Restriction of Chemicals). REACH regulates the use of chemicals in manufacturing, including construction equipment. In the January 2014 Transportation Talk, I discussed what REACH was and how under the protocols for it, existing chemicals are identifi ed as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). (See "The EU's REACH regs have implications for U.S. equipment market" at betterroads.com/reach-regs.) There are substances always being added, and the list has been predicted to reach 1,000 by 2020. That being said, just knowing about the regulations and being able to identify any substances on the list that are used in equipment – whether it's an additive, paint, sealant or something else – isn't enough. Back in 2002, the children anxiously awaiting a Sony PlayStation for Christmas were disappointed when 1.3 million of these gaming consoles and 800,000 accessory packs were held up at customs in the Netherlands because they were not in compliance with the cadmium laws. They were bundled with cables found to contain up to 20 times as much cadmium as is deemed safe. It's not immediately toxic but can lead to kidney damage throughout time. However, it raises the point that this could very well happen to equipment and disrupt the current supply chain. Michael Wurzman, president of RSJ Technical Consulting and a REACH expert, says he doesn't expect any major effort to be lobbied against the industry, but "will be surprised" if there isn't some enforcement coming up within the next few years and subsequent lawsuits. This means manufacturers need to not only be aware of these regulations but to have a standard data format "that allows us to address data that needs to be exchanged while protecting confi dentiality but enables us with ways to trace through the supply chain," Wurzman says. We need to put a structural framework in place to address the REACH issues and have customs paperwork ready. "This is the only way we can cost effectively allow for our companies to become compliant and also get a fi nancial advantage." It is essentially risk management for the supply chains and customers. You have to decide. Is it worth the risk not to prepare? The regulations aren't new; they aren't going away. More and more restrictions are a ticking time bomb, and you need to be prepared. "There is no reason to believe they are [substances] toxic in Europe but not here," Wurzman says. "We are essentially being forced to do what we should anyway." Are you ready? Y by Tina Grady Barbaccia, Editor-At-Large tinabarbaccia@gmail.com Better Roads April 2014 3 REACH Part 2: Avoiding an equipment supply chain backlog Editorial Editor-At-Large: Tina Grady Barbaccia Editorial Director: Marcia Gruver Doyle Online Editor: Wayne Grayson Online Managing Editor: Amanda Bayhi Production Editor: Lauren Heartsill Dowdle Editor Emeritus: Kirk Landers Truck Editor: Jack Roberts Construction Editors: Tom Jackson, Tom Kuennen, Dan Brown editorial@betterroads.com Design & Production Art Director: Sandy Turner, Jr. Production Designer: Timothy Smith Advertising Production Manager: Linda Hapner production@betterroads.com Construction Media Senior VP of Market Development, Construction Media: Dan Tidwell VP of Sales, Construction Media: Joe Donald sales@constructionmedia.com Corporate Chairman/CEO: Mike Reilly President: Brent Reilly Chief Process Offi cer: Shane Elmore Chief Administration Offi cer: David Wright Senior Vice President, Sales: Scott Miller Senior Vice President, Editorial and Research: Linda Longton Vice President of Events: Alan Sims Vice President, Audience Development: Stacy McCants Vice President, Digital Services: Nick Reid Director of Marketing: Julie Arsenault 3200 Rice Mine Rd. NE Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 800-633-5953 randallreilly.com For change of address and other subscription inquiries, please contact: betterroads@halldata.com Better Roads TM magazine, (ISSN 0006-0208) founded in 1931 by Alden F. Perrin, is published monthly by Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC. © 2014. Executive and Administrative offices, 3200 Rice Mine Rd. N.E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. Qualified subscriptions solicited exclusively from governmental road agencies, contractors, consultants, research organiza- tions, and equipment and materials suppliers. Single copy price $5.00 in U.S. and Canada. Subscription rate for individuals qualified in U.S. and Canada $24.95. Foreign $105.00. Special group rates to companies quali- fied in quantities over five names. We assume no responsibility for the va- lidity of claims of manufacturers in any advertisement or editorial product information or literature offered by them. Publisher reserves the right to refuse non-qualified subscriptions. Periodical circulation postage paid at Tuscaloosa, Alabama and additional entries. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner. For quality custom reprints, e-prints, and editorial copyright and licensing services please contact: Linda Hapner, (224) 723-5372 or reprints@betterroads.com. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to Better Roads, 3200 Rice Mine Road N.E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. TransportationTalk

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