What is REACH?

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

REACH applies to anyone manufacturing or importing chemical substances into Europe. 

REACH transfers responsibility for the safe use of chemicals from government to industry and applies to all substances manufactured or imported into the EU. Substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year must be registered by the relevant deadlines, or they may not be placed on the market.

 

Key points of REACH:

  • REACH is implemented in several transitional phases up to 2018 REACH timeline
  • Affects everyone in the supply chain - manufacturers, importers and their customers
  • Hazard assessment, risk assessment, product classification and labelling information are required
  • This information must be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency in a dossier for all substances manufactured, or imported, in quantities ≥ 1 tonnes per annum
  • The greater the tonnage, the greater the information required 
  • Restricts the use of harmful chemicals