The new European Union chemical policy, REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of CHemicals), is aimed at ensuring a high level of protection of health and the environment as well as enhancing innovation of green chemicals.

REACH came into force on 1 June 2007 but has a progressive schedule. This new regulation replaces around 40 existing EU Regulations and Directives so as to provide a single system to regulate chemicals in a more organized manner.

• What is REACH?
• Core principles of REACH
• Why REACH?
• Who does it affect?
• Which products are affected by the REACH system?

What is REACH?

REACH is Regulation (EC) N°1907/2006 (PDF 1.77 MB) of the European Parliament and the Council dated 18 December 2006.

The Directive came into force on 1st June 2007 to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU). REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to the health and the environment.

In principle REACH applies to all chemicals: not only chemicals used in industrial processes but also in our day-to-day lives; for example, in cleaning products and paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances.

Learn about the current REACH proceedings and calendar

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Core principles of REACH

The aims of REACH are to:

• Improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals;
• Enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry, a key sector for the economy of the EU;
• Promote alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances;
• Ensure the free circulation of substances on the internal market of the European Union.

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Why REACH?

REACH replaces about 40 pieces of legislation with a streamlined and improved Regulation. Other legislation regulating to specific chemicals (e.g. on cosmetics, detergents) or legislation on the health and safety of workers handling chemicals, product safety, construction products are not affected by REACH and will continue to apply.

The current system has not produced sufficient information about the effects of the majority of existing chemicals on human health and the environment. There is generally a lack of sufficient information publicly available in order to assess and control these substances effectively.

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Who does it affect?

REACH applies to manufacturers, distributors, importers and downstream users in the supply chain.

The vast majority of the REACH requirements apply directly to manufacturers and importers of substances. They will need to supply data on the properties of their chemicals, develop chemical safety assessments and implement risk management measures.

What do I do as a manufacturer/importer?

Downstream users will be supplied with safety information about the chemicals they purchase and should follow them when handling the chemicals. They will also need to make sure that their customers (for example, other industrial enterprises and consumers) have the information necessary to use their products safely. When a chemical is to be used in a way not covered by the original registration, the new uses or risk reduction measures will have to be reported to the Agency if the volume is higher than 1 tonne per annum.

What do I do as a downstream user?

Distributors must also ensure safety information is provided with the substances they sell.

The key slogan in the industry is “no data, no business”.

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Which products are affected by the REACH system?

Substances, preparations and articles are all impacted by REACH.

SGS Solutions for REACH