Identification of downstream uses
What is an exposure scenario (ES)?
An exposure scenario is a set of information describing the conditions under which the risks associated with the identified uses(s) of a substance can be controlled. It includes operational conditions and necessary risk management measures. If you want to read more about exposure assessments please further check ECHA Guidance D: Exposure Scenario Building. Keep in mind that the exposure scenario has to be developed for a substance which meets the criteria for classification as dangerous in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC or is assessed to be a PBT (Persistent – bioaccumulative – toxic) or vPvB (very persistent – very bioaccumulative).
Why identify the downstream use?
As all 10 of the antimony substances that i2a is covering meet the criteria for classification (although not PBT and vPvB as all metals are excluded according to the Annex XIII of REACH) the appropriate exposure scenarios have to be developed for all our substances. In case your use is not covered in the exposure scenarios of the joint Registration Dossier, you cannot continue using the substance for that use unless you have developed your own Chemical Safety Report, including exposure scenarios and risk management measures.
Why assign the use descriptor for your identified use?
Under REACH i2a prepared the exposure scenarios (ES) for i2a members. The first step of this process required building up a short title of ES which flags the scope and applicability of an ES. In order to cover all the uses in the supply chain and to ease and standardize the communication between supplier and users the user descriptor system was developed.
Each registrant is also obliged to include a brief general description of all identified uses in his technical dossier (chapter 3.5 in IUCLID 5.1).
If you are the downstream user or are interested in a letter of access for one of our antimony 2010 REACH registration substances than please see the basic list of identified uses which served to prepare the Occupational or Consumer Exposure Scenarios. If you think that your use is not covered please contact us via email at
for possible further consideration in a future update of the REACH dossiers.
What about the timing?
If you are a Manufacturer or Importer > 1000 tonnes, you have to identify your uses by 30 November 2009 if you want that your uses are considered for inclusion in the REACH 2010 registration dossiers.
i2a has currently developed the exposure scenarios (ES) for diantimony trioxide, antimony metal and sodium hexahydroxoantimonate with 2010 as REACH registration deadline. The ES for our other 7 antimony substances will be finalized by 2011.
