REACh

REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) is the new chemicals Regulation of the EU, which entered into force on 1st of June 2007. The REACh Regulation is based on the principle of a stronger responsibility of the industry for the safe handling of their substances. The main objective of REACh is to improve the protection of human health and the environment from risks.

Important elements of REACh are:

• Registration of substances at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which are manufactured or imported in annual quantities of ≥ 1 t
• Obligation to prepare a chemical safety report
• Arrangements for the safe use of substances
• Obligations for the preparation of material safety data sheets
• Regulations for products with leakage of chemicals
• Notification obligation for substances of very high concern (SVHC) in products
• Authorisation and restriction of substances

Manufacturers, importers and downstream users are affected by the REACh Regulation. The different groups have certain requirements under the REACh Regulation:

• The registration is compulsory for manufacturers and importers who manufacture or import substances in quantities of ≥ 1 t/yr. For ≥ 10 t/yr an additional chemical safety report has to be customised, including a risk assessment or exposure analysis for hazardous substances.
• The obligation to prepare a material safety data sheet exists for manufacturers, importers and downstream users of hazardous substances and mixtures. An extended material safety data sheet is to create, unless a security assessment has been carried out for the substance.