What Is REACH?

REACH (EC 1907/2006) aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. This is done by the four processes of REACH, namely the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals. REACH also aims to enhance innovation and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

REACH Regulation places responsibility on industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. Manufacturers and importers are required to gather information on the properties of their chemical substances, which will allow their safe handling.

The Regulation also calls for the progressive substitution of the most dangerous chemicals (referred to as “substances of very high concern”) when suitable alternatives have been identified.

Why is REACH important? 

One of the main reasons for developing and adopting the REACH Regulation was that many substances have been manufactured and placed on the market in Europe for many years, sometimes in very high amounts, and yet there is insufficient information on the hazards that they pose to human health and the environment. There is a need to fill these information gaps to ensure that industry is able to assess hazards and risks of the substances, and to identify and implement risk management measures to protect humans and the environment.

Having entered into force in 2007, REACH provisions are being phased-in over 11 years. Companies can find explanations of REACH on the DG GROWTH (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) or ECHA websites, and can contact national helpdesks.