REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is an EU regulation dating from December 2006. REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. It is the strictest law to date regulating chemical substances affecting industries throughout the world. The regulation also established the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which manages the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of REACH.

EU REACH (EC) 1907/2006 (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) is a regulation in the European Union (EU) designed to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals. . It is the strictest law to date regulating chemical substances affecting industries throughout the world. The regulation also established the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which manages the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of REACH.

The main topics covered by ECHA under REACH affecting manufacturers and importers are the following:

• Registration: Companies manufacturing or importing chemicals in the EU in quantities greater than 1 metric ton per year must register the substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
• Authorization: Substances classified as hazardous may only be manufactured or imported if they have been authorized by the ECHA.
• Restriction: The ECHA may impose restrictions on the manufacture, use, or sale of substances found to pose a risk to human health or the environment.
• Communication of information: Companies must communicate information on the safe use of substances to their customers and downstream users. For example via materials safety datasheets (MSDS)
• Substitution: Where feasible, companies must replace hazardous substances with safer alternatives.
• Supply chain information: Companies must provide information on the substances they use in the production of articles, such as consumer goods, and make this information available to consumers. For example the notification and communication of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
• Testing: Companies may be required to carry out additional testing on substances to further assess their potential risks. For example the mandatory assessment of SVHC substances present in articles.