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Californian Trend: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tackles Energy Challenges

The Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference was held in San Francisco in April, 2018. The event chose to outline the key themes and potential challenges that are at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution. The revolution of our energy systems is one of the most impactful transformations of our time.

AI will shape the future of energy. It is a fact that globally our energy systems will change dramatically in the long run. Renewable energy production will be greatly expanded. Energy production will become decentralized and fragmented. Our homes and other forms of real estate will become both consumers and producers of energy simultaneously. Furthermore, the heating, cooling, lighting and security systems of our homes, offices and factories will be governed by smart devices connected to the energy grid.

The renewable energy system will need a high capacity of energy storage. This will mean the placing of both small and large batteries all around the energy grid. To manage this complicated system there will need to be a substantial collecting, handling and operating capacity for the vast amount of data and processes involved. Without the efficiency created through artificial intelligence, this change would not be possible.

Artificial Intelligence will help us manage environmental problems, too. In Ecobio, we re-imagine your environmental and health & safety management processes. We strive towards constant modernization of our services and provide you as our customer with the most advanced solutions. The Ecobio Manager regulation tracking and chemical database service is our flagship innovation. It helps you focus on more complex problems by automating your compliance tasks.

Are you aware of the corporate sustainability challenges that need to be solved. Please contact our development team: sanna.perkio@ecobio.fi.

Blog: Solar energy production demands both solar power and space to utilize it

Land availability is a limiting factor in the implementation of both solar and wind farms; as Richard Lancaster, CEO of CLP Holdings Limited pointed out in his lecture held at Stanford University. Richard himself, being a leader of a large energy company in Asia.

Renewable energy has paradoxes

Big cities are the largest consumers of energy, although they do not have the free land necessary to utilize renewable energy production. Where the strongest winds occur, no one lives. More space is needed in the production of wind power than solar power. In regions such as Silicon Valley, which holds a large volume of roof area along with enjoying a large amount of sun shine; there are advantages in utilizing solar powered energy production.

Whilst discussing an innovation concerning efficient land use, Richard also mentioned a successful project in which they connected solar production with culturing cultivating honeysuckle in the desert.  They collaborated with a local community of farmers in doing so. It was a win, win situation for all parties concerned: the energy producer, the farmers and the regional government.

Sanna Perkiö, 03/05/2018, Stanford

Ecobio chemicals quiz – test your knowledge of CLP hazard pictograms

Ecobio has published a chemicals quiz for testing knowledge of chemicals. The quiz is intended for those using or working with chemicals. Are you already familiar with the new CLP hazard pictograms for chemicals? Test your knowledge with the quiz. Show off your expertise and get a certificate for your office wall.

https://www.ecobiomanager.com/chemicalstest

Hazard pictograms for chemicals have changed after the expiry of the final transition period of the EU’s CLP Regulation. Old orange and black pictograms have been replaced with new, EU wide red-white-black hazard pictograms. The signs are found for example in workplaces, on chemical containers, and on products sold in shops. Exposure to chemicals can be a major health hazard. Hazard pictograms are used to ensure the safe use of products.

Ecobio helps companies fulfil chemical requirements. Also learn about our Ecobio Manager service, which helps you keep up with regulations and requirements. www.ecobiomanager.com

Additional information:
Pia Välitalo, Project Manager, Ecobio, tel. +358 20 756 9450, pia.valitalo@ecobio.fi

 

Final draft of the Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001 approved

The final draft of the Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001 was approved on the 25th of January 2018. The new ISO 45001 standard will be officially published by March 2018.

ISO 45001 replaces the old OHSAS 18001 standard. Companies holding an OHSAS 18001 certificate have a transition period of three years for the implementation of the new standard.

We are always happy to help you with questions related to ISO 45001. For advice or for more information, you can contact us at info@ecobio.fi or tel. +358 20 756 9450.

Ecobio Manager – Regulation Tracking and Chemical Management Service

 

REACH 2018 Stakeholder’s Day – one week to go!

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is organizing the REACH 2018 Stakeholders’ Day next week from 29 to 31 January in Helsinki. The conference offers hands-on training on different tools, such as Chesar, REACH-IT and IUCLID Cloud. In addition, the conference provides news and advice on the main issues companies are facing. The programme for the REACH 2018 Stakeholder’s Day:

  • Monday 29 January: hands-on training on Chesar, the chemical safety assessment and reporting tool
  • Tuesday 30 January: hand-on training on REACH-IT and IUCLID Cloud
  • Wednesday 31 January: conference

The most important theme of the conference is the 2018 REACH registration deadline, which is only in four months time. The conference presentations provide important advice on the registration, e.g. last-minute tips, how to get all of the data together and how to share costs. The conference is concluded with a panel discussion on what happens after the REACH 2018 deadline.

You can follow the conference live via web-streaming on 31 January and send questions online. More information and the full programme: https://echa.europa.eu/fi/-/reach-2018-stakeholders-day

Ecobio’s experts will be participating in the REACH Stakeholders’ Day. We are always happy to help with questions related to chemical legislation and the REACH Regulation. For advice or for more information, you can contact us at info@ecobio.fi or tel. +358 20 756 9450.

Ecobio Manager – Regulation Tracking and Chemical Management Service

New substances added to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC)

January 18, 2018

The Member State Committee, MCS has identified 7 new substances as substances of very high concern and the substances have been added to the candidate list for authorization. The inclusion on the candidate list imposes immediate obligations for suppliers of the substance. An SVHC substance might also later end up on the list of authorized substances under the REACH Regulation (Annex XIV).

The following substances have been added to the candidate list:

  • Chrysene (CAS 218-01-9): Carcinogenic and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT)
  • Benz[a]anthracene (CAS 56-55-3): Carcinogenic and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT)
  • Cadmium nitrate (CAS 10325-94-7): Carcinogenic, mutagenic and specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure
  • Cadmium hydroxide (CAS 21041-95-2): Carcinogenic, mutagenic and specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure
  • Cadmium carbonate (CAS 513-78-0): Carcinogenic, mutagenic and specific target organ toxicity after repeated exposure
  • 1,6,7,8,9,14,15,16,17,17,18,18-Dodecachloropentacyclo[12.2.1.16,9.02,13.05,10]octadeca-7,15-diene (“Dechlorane Plus”TM) [covering any of its individual anti- and syn-isomers or any combination thereof] (no CAS number): very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)
  • Reaction products of 1,3,4-thiadiazolidine-2,5-dithione, formaldehyde and 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear (RP-HP) [with ≥0.1% w/w 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear] (no CAS number): Endocrine disrupting properties

The properties of bisphenol A have been updated

Bisphenol A (BPA) has already previously been added to the candidate list due to its endocrine disrupting and reprotoxic properties. The entry has been updated to reflect an additional reason for inclusion due to its adverse effects to the environment.

ECHA’s newsletter: Seven new substances added to the Candidate List, entry for bisphenol-A updated

Four new substances in February

Additionally, four new intentions for identification as a substance of very high concern have been received for:

  • octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) CAS 556-67-2);
  • decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) (CAS 541-02-6);
  • dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) (CAS 540-97-6);
  • benzo[ghi]perylene (CAS 191-24-2).

The expected date of submission is 7.2.2018.

ECHA – Current SVHC intentions

Ecobio’s experts are always happy to help with questions related to chemical legislation and the REACH Regulation. For advice or for more information, you can contact us at info@ecobio.fi or tel. +358 20 756 9450.

Ecobio Manager – Regulation Tracking and Chemical Management Service

 

 

ECOBIO CHEMICALS QUIZ – TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF CLP HAZARD PICTOGRAMS

January 15, 2018
Ecobio has published a chemicals quiz for testing knowledge of chemicals. The quiz is intended for those using or working with chemicals. Are you already familiar with the new CLP hazard pictograms for chemicals? Test your knowledge with the quiz. Show off your expertise and get a certificate for your office wall.

https://www.ecobiomanager.com/chemicalstest

Hazard pictograms for chemicals have changed after the expiry of the final transition period of the EU’s CLP Regulation. Old orange and black pictograms have been replaced with new, EU wide red-white-black hazard pictograms. The signs are found for example in workplaces, on chemical containers, and on products sold in shops. Exposure to chemicals can be a major health hazard. Hazard pictograms are used to ensure the safe use of products.

Ecobio helps companies fulfil chemical requirements. Also learn about our Ecobio Manager service, which helps you keep up with regulations and requirements. www.ecobiomanager.com

Additional information:
Pia Välitalo, Project Manager, Ecobio, tel. +358 20 756 9450, pia.valitalo@ecobio.fi

Founded in 1989, Ecobio operates in the environmental field. It is a frontrunner within the development of environmental consultancy services and has been awarded twice for innovation. The secret to Ecobio’s success is a combination of inventive thinking and solid engineering skills as well as an ability to achieve top results in the most demanding projects. We help you balance business and nature. www.ecobio.fi/en

Ecobio Manager News: Towards Modern Service Design

Dear Customer,

Ecobio’s service for tracking enactments and managing chemicals will be modernized in stages during the spring.

The purpose of the modernization is to, first and foremost, provide modern service design, technique and even more efficient solutions for multinational companies.

The modernization will first take form as a fresh, modern design and as a new function summarizing the status of enactments and/or chemicals. You can easily follow up on the situation in your company with the help of the Status Summary. Later in the spring, the modernization will be complemented and functions will be even more versatile.

As of this spring, the name of the service is Ecobio Manager. In accordance with the name, you can manage requirements even more versatilely – locally and internationally.

Best regards,

Ecobio Team

ECHA’s 10th Anniversary: Hurry Up with REACH Registrations

The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, held their 12th Stakeholders’ Day in Helsinki, Finland, on the 5th of April 2017. Hundreds of chemical and product stewardship experts from around Europe attended the event. Ecobio enjoyed its position once again as a next door neighbour to ECHA.

At the Stakeholders’ Day, the ECHA representatives strongly encouraged all companies to hurry up with their REACH Registrations, as the registration deadline of the 31st of May 2018 is approaching soon for substances manufactured in or imported into the EU.

The following summarizes some of the main aspects presented by ECHA at the Stakeholders’ Day:

REACH 2018 – Challenges for registrants

  • Forming an unambiguous Substance Identity Profile and a boundary composition for other SIEF members takes time and effort
  • Joint registrations: challenges with poor-quality data, unfairness in cost sharing, issues on confirming substance sameness within a SIEF
  • Some substances still without a lead registrant or any registrant at all – what to do?
  • Diverging hazard classifications between different manufacturers create confusion and uncertainty
  • Getting information from customers and non-EU suppliers is tricky and time-consuming
  • Using alternative methods to animal testing still difficult
  • Test laboratories already fully-booked for toxicological and ecotoxicological tests

Good advice to registrants

  • Get going now: creating a high-quality dossier with all the relevant information requirements fulfilled takes a lot of time.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises can perform REACH registrations by themselves. However, they should consider outside help, as the REACH Registrations require a lot of expertise from different fields of science, e.g. chemistry, toxicology and ecotoxicology.
  • Get wise – use the tools supported by ECHA to create the dossier: CHESAR, IUCLID and REACH-IT.
  • Use ready use maps created by industry associations where available – they help you in downstream communication and in identifying relevant downstream uses for your substance.
  • Demand good-quality information, fairness and transparency within a SIEF.
  • Communicate: up – and then down – the supply chain and within SIEFs.
  • Invest in good-quality data – it´s your business card.

After the 2018 registration deadline

  • Registration dossiers will be screened and evaluated by ECHA – companies should keep their dossiers up to date after the registration as well, instead of waiting for ECHA’s notification letter.
  • ECHA aims at tackling all substances of concern – these might include your substances. A good advice is to follow ECHA’s news and newsletters.
  • Information on all substances manufactured above 1 tonne per year in the EU will be freely available to all.

 

Ecobio’s experts are always happy to help with questions related to chemical legislation and the REACH Regulation. For advice or for more information, you can contact us at info@ecobio.fi or tel. 020 756 9450.

Ecobio Manager – Regulation Tracking and Chemical Management Service

REACH 2018

Chemical Management and the Regulation of REACH

Ecobio provides expert services related to the handling of chemical substances. REACH is the new European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. REACH came into force on the 1st June 2007. According to REACH, manufacturers or importers of chemical substances are required to register them with the central European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), located in Helsinki. The amount of substance data needed for the registration depends on the amount of substance manufactured or supplied. Registration is required for all substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 1 tonne per year or more. If you do not register, you will no longer be able to manufacture or supply them legally, i.e. no registration, no market!

It is the duty of the importer to register substances. Thus, companies from outside the EU cannot register substances themselves. However, companies exporting to the EU can appoint an Only Representative (a legal entity located within the EU) to handle the registration process. Should they do so, the registration burden will fall on the Only Representative and the importers will become downstream users. For manufacturers outside the EU, appointing an Only Representative is a way of ensuring that importers in the EU will not switch to chemical suppliers within the EU, just in order to escape the registration burden.

Ecobio provides companies expert guidance and consultation on how to fulfil REACH requirements. We help companies to recognize their roles and obligations and provide assistance on what measures to take, and when. Ecobio assists companies with the practical aspects of REACH, such as compiling chemical inventories, gathering data for the registration package, assisting with pre-registration (through REACH-IT), etc. Ecobio also provides strategic business consultation on the impact of REACH on your company’s business (cost factors, business opportunities, the impact of CMR substances on product image, substance availability in the future, etc.). Ecobio provides services for companies both within and outside the European Union.

Ecobio’s experts have master’s degrees in chemical and environmental engineering. Our strength lies in combining environmental and chemical expertise. Our experts have been trained to use the IUCLID 6 (International Uniform Chemicals Information Database) software application. IUCLID6 is an essential IT tool for industry to comply with REACH requirements. IUCLID 56is used, together with REACH-IT, for submitting registration data to the European Chemicals Agency.

Our REACH services include:

  • REACH impact assessment
  • strategic planning and recommendations: best practices and REACH responsibilities within the organization
  • chemical substance inventories and preparing for pre-registration
  • pre-registration (through REACH-IT)
  • managing chemical substance data and entering of data (through IUCLID 6)
  • third party representative services
  • information in the supply chain (handling inquiries, safety data sheets)
  • preparation and submissions of registration dossiers
  • assistance in obtaining of special services(such as toxicity and eco-toxicity testing services)
  • REACH training and workshops
  • REACH for executive managers (costs, cost savers, business opportunities).