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REACH European Regulation
1. What is REACH?
REACH (the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) or EC Regulation CE no. 1907/2006, was approved on 18/12/06 by the Strasbourg Parliament and concerns (as the name states) the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals. The Regulation provides for the registration of all chemicals manufactured or imported into the European Union in quantities exceeding one ton/year. Furthermore, the Regulation establishes that authorization and registration should be managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki.
2. When will it enter into force?
REACH entered into force on 1/6/2007 with a progressive outline for actions (until 2018), including the definition of substances, the pre-registration of existing substances, the registration of pre-registered substances following the appropriate testing procedures and finally the authorizations or restrictions on the use of these substances.
3. What should I check for in my suppliers?
Downstream users should check that the chemicals they use are pre-registered (http://apps.echa.europa.eu/preregistered/pre-registered-sub.aspx) or request that their suppliers provide a declaration of pre-registration.
4. How does the REACH Regulation affect Alpi materials?
Alpi falls in the category of a “downstream user” of chemicals (according to the definition provided in the Regulation) and not of a manufacturer of chemicals, insofar as it only produces “goods” (manufactured in wood) and not chemical substances or preparations.
Therefore, according to the Regulation, Alpi products require neither pre nor final registration.
5. Who should I contact if I wish to ask a question about REACH and items supplied by Alpi?
First contact your Alpi sales representative who will answer your questions or forward them to the technical department, which will quickly provide you with a specific answer.
6. Do Alpi items contain SVHC substances?
Items supplied by Alpi S.p.A. (veneers, sawn wood and solid multilaminar materials) do not contain “SVHC” substances listed in the candidate list in amounts equal to or above 0.1% (weight/weight); Alpi S.p.A. has sent its upstream suppliers a request for confirmation of pre-registration (or registration) of substances (either the substances themselves or those within mixes/preparations) and declaration of the amount of SVHC substances. If this declaration changes at a future date, all Alpi clients will be notified within 45 days, as foreseen by the current legislation.
Multilaminar wood
1. Is multilaminar wood made from real wood?
Yes, it is made from veneers of natural wood (including Italian Poplar) and maintains all the typical characteristics of natural wood. Its main advantages compared to natural wood are surface homogeneity, colour constancy and standard dimensions.
2. Can multilaminar wood be varnished using the traditional coating systems used for other types of wood?
Yes, without the need for any particular modifications.
3. Does multilaminar wood require special coatings?
No. It only requires coatings with a high wetting power and good resistance to yellowing designed for deep pore wood or light-coloured wood such as maple and birch. Please note that the use of good UV absorbers in the topcoat of both light-coloured wood (such as maple) and dark-coloured wood (such as ebony) increases the resistance of finished products to light.
4. Can multilaminar wood be varnished with water-based coatings?
Yes, without any difficulty. Bear in mind however that specific hardwood emulsion must be used because this wood usually has a slightly acid reaction.
5. Is multilaminar wood resistant to working environment exposure like the main natural wood species?
Yes, provided that this wood is used for interior applications and is prepared and varnished using the correct quantity of coatings with the characteristics described above. Obviously, differences in the quantity of coatings applied and the coating methods used on the same substrate produce substantial qualitative differences in terms of hardness, abrasion, permeability, etc.
6. What is the difference between Alpilignum and Alpikord?
Alpilignum is the trade name of Alpi multilaminar wood obtained by processing two basic types of wood, poplar from Italian plantations and Ayous grown in Cameroon. Alpikord is the trade name of Alpi HP laminate made of an Alpilignum multilaminar veneer with phenolic substrate and a polyurethane, melamine or rough surface finish.
HP wood laminates
1. What is Alpikord?
Alpikord is an HP laminate with a real wood decorative surface combining the versatility of laminate with the elegance of a perfectly varnished decorative surface.
2. What is the difference between the Alpikord Range no. 1 and Alpikord Range no. 2?
They are two types of HP laminates with real wood surfaces. Range no. 1 is characterised by Alpilignum surfaces (multilaminar or reconstituted wood veneer), whereas Range no. 2 is characterised by traditional wood surfaces.
3. What is the difference between Alpikord and Alpilam?
They are both HP laminates with real wood surfaces. Products with melamine overlay are called Alpilam (technical definition) or Alpikord melamine finishing (commercial definition). All products with very thick or double-sided versions are called Alpilam, regardless of their surface finishing.
4. Is it possible to have a fireproof laminate with a real wood surface?
Yes. On request we can supply laminates with real multilaminar (reconstituted) wood surface - Alpikord wood (with lacquered finishes) and Alpilam (with melamine overlay finishes) with a 1 mm thickness certified according to IMO MED standards (used in marine furnishings). Alpilam (melamine) is also available with EN 13501-1:2002 Class B-S1.d0 certificate.
5. Is Alpikord postformable?
Yes, using appropriate static or continuous postformers. The radius of curvature depends on the application system and the characteristics of the multilaminar wood used, as discussed in the technical specifications. |
