REACH and Obligations
REACH is the EU chemicals legislation dealing with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals which entered into force on 1st June 2007. REACH covers chemical substances as such, in preparations or in articles intended to be released. The regulation replaces numerous EU laws and is complementary to other environmental and safety legislation.
What are the objectives?
- Ensure a high level of protection from exposure to chemicals in order to safeguard human health and the environment
- Provide improved risk management
- Stimulate innovation and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry
- Shift responsibilities from authorities to industry
Which substances are subject to registration?
All substances which are manufactured in or imported into the EU in a quantity above 1 ton per year will have to be registered according to specific deadlines. However there are exemptions from certain parts of the legislation, for example, chemicals used as ingredients in food, feed and medicinal products do not need a REACH registration since their safe use is covered by other EU laws.
Who is affected?
Virtually everyone in the supply chain dealing with chemical substances will have certain obligations.
- Manufacturers or importers of chemical substances or mixtures of chemical substances located in the EU (our suppliers)
- Downstream users processing chemicals, formulating preparations (mixtures) for end-use or using formulated products as part of their business (our customers)
What are the consequences?
‘No Registration – No Market’ meaning that non-registered substances and non-registered uses will become illegal!
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