REACh (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals)
Entered into force 1st June 2007, the purpose of the REACh regulation (2006/1907/EC-) is 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 and to provide appropriate safety information to their users.
Generally REACH applies to all kind of chemicals, for example in cleaning products, paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances. It lays down provisions on substances and preparations which shall apply to the manufacture, placing on the market or use of such substances on their own, in preparations or in articles and to the placing on the market of preparations.
The objectives are to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for testing, registration and authorisation of chemical substances and products containing chemicals. This Regulation is based on the principle that it is for manufacturers, importers and downstream users to ensure that they manufacture, place on the market or use such substances that do not adversely affect human health or the environment. Its provisions are underpinned by the precautionary principle.
To coordinate and implement the overall processes around REACh the European CHemical Agency (ECHA) is established in Helsinki (Finland). Main tasks are registering the substances, authorizing and documenting substances of very high concerns (SVHC) and informing REACh. SVHCs are substances considered hazardous and published on a frequently updated list on the ECHA website.
All manufacturers and importers of chemicals must identify and manage risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market. For substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year per company, manufacturers and importers need to demonstrate that they have appropriately done so by means of a registration dossier, which shall be submitted to ECHA. Additionally manufacturers and importers must provide their downstream users with the risk information they need to use the substance safely via a classification and labeling system and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), where needed.
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