What is REACH?

The European Community has reformed the previous European legislations for ‘existing’ (EINECS) and ‘new’ (ELINCS) substances, into one new uniform regulatory system for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restrictions of Chemicals (REACH). The REACH regulation came into force on June 1st, 2007.

REACH makes manufacturers, importers and their customers responsible for the safe use of chemicals. The producers and importers have to assess the risks of their substances over the entire supply chain and have to demonstrate that those risks are properly managed. The authorities will control this process by means of the registration dossiers to be submitted by the producers or importers and take additional measures on highly dangerous substances, where needed.

REACH is;
• providing an improved protection to human health and the environment
• increasing knowledge about the properties and uses of existing substances
• establishing an efficient risk assessment process
• requiring the registration of all substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year.