What is REACH?
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation.
The REACH Regulation entered into force on 1st June 2007 and replaces many existing pieces of chemical legislation.
REACH is presented as “possibly the most complex and controversial piece of legislation in European history” (EU Commissioner Günter Verheugen).
REACH applies to all chemical substances manufactured, imported, placed on the market or used within the European Community, either on their own, in a preparation or in an article.
Under REACH, all substances used in quantities ≥ 1 tonne/year per legal entity will have to be registered with the European CHemicals Agency (ECHA, based in Helsinki).
Aims of the regulation:
- Improve the protection of human health and the environment from potential risks caused by chemicals
- Enhance innovation and competitiveness of the EU chemical industry, a key sector for the economy of Europe
- Promote alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances (avoidance of unnecessary testing especially on animals)
- Ensure the free circulation of substances on the internal market of the European Union
Results for the industry:
- Responsibility is placed onto industry, with much greater responsibility placed on actors within the supply chain
Who's concerned?
REACH has implications for
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Formulators
- Distributors
- Users of chemicals
- People producing and/or importing articles
