REACH – EU chemicals regulation
EU's chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals) entered into force in 2007. Improvement of the protection of human health and the environment is one of the main objectives of the new regulation.
REACH cover a broad scope of enterprises – from large chemical industries to small companies that manufacture, import, use or distribute chemicals or articles.
The regulation increases the responsibility for the industry when it comes to obtaining and providing information on chemical substances, managing risks and ensuring safe use of chemicals.
Other important aims of REACH are:
- improve the knowledge about hazardous chemicals
- increase the availability of information to the public
- improve management of risks associated with the use of chemicals
- limit and replace the use of the most hazardous chemicals that pose a risk
- encourage innovation and development of less hazardous chemicals
- simplify and streamline the current regulation