FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2007

For More Information:
Gregory Minchak
Manager, Public Relations & Communications             
(202) 721-4182
minchakg@socma.com   

The Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association’s (SOCMA) ChemSortia is partnering with The Redstone Group, LLC, a leading regulatory affairs and environmental risk management consulting firm, to assist companies in complying with the European Union’s chemicals management regulation known as the Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH).

The SOCMA and Redstone team will assist companies operating in and exporting to European Union countries with the planning, submissions, cost-sharing and testing that is required under REACH.  

Additionally, SOCMA and Redstone announce that Redstone has joined SOCMA as a member.  Said Redstone. Principal, Mark Vagasky said, “Partnering with SOCMA makes a great deal of sense.  With their longstanding industry knowledge and expertise, we are pleased to be a part of SOCMA and working with them as REACH moves to the top of the industry’s agenda.”

"This extended services program of ChemSortia is the new cornerstone of SOCMA’s association management business and stands to benefit our members in highly effective ways.  The REACH legislation will require a great deal of work by individual companies, and we are looking forward to assisting companies comply as efficiently as possible,” said SOCMA President Joe Acker.  Acker continued, “ChemSortia provides an opportunity for companies to join together on behalf of efficiency in meeting the requirements of REACH.  For this reason, Redstone is an excellent partner as they offer a great deal of expertise in the area.  We are pleased to be having them not only as a partner, but also a member.  Their value will be indispensable going forward.  We look forward to working with them closely.”

The Redstone Group, LLC leverages its extensive industry experience and broad network of seasoned professionals to help chemical industry clients address science, policy, and regulatory compliance needs for their products. 

For REACH, some of these areas of expertise include:

• Strategic planning for compliance
• Product (formulary) review
• Preparation of pre-registration submissions
• Preparation of Registration dossiers and Authorization applications
• Preparation of test plans, risk assessments for CSA/CSRs, and new MSDS
• Negotiations with the new Chemicals Agency and other EU authorities
• Partnership with an EU-based “only representative”

SOCMA combines its 30-year chemical industry-specific expertise in developing and managing international consortia and testing processes to provide both domestic and international services to its members under ChemSortia including, but not limited to, the following:

• Antitrust Guidance
• Strategic planning, coalition building
• Handling proprietary industry information
• Budget development, cost-sharing 
• Advocacy strategies
• Test program management
• Representation to authorities, the media, public, and other industry
• Public relations

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SOCMA is the leading trade association, serving the specialty-batch and custom chemical industry since 1921. SOCMA’s nearly 300 members employ more than 100,000 workers across the country and produce 50,000 products valued at $60 billion annually. For more information please visit www.socma.com.

ChemStewards® is SOCMA’s flagship environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) continuous performance improvement program.  ChemStewards was created from industry’s commitment to reducing the environmental footprint left by member’s facilities.  Industry created ChemStewards to meet the unique needs of the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry. As a mandatory requirement for SOCMA members engaged in the manufacturing or handling of synthetic and organic chemicals, ChemStewards is helping participants reach for superior EHS&S performance.  To learn more visit www.chemstewards.org.