These regulations are meant to help create a cleaner and safer environment. Other countries around the world have also laid the foundation or have adopted similar policies and regulations to help protect human health and the environment.
These regulations are meant to help create a cleaner and safer environment. Other countries around the world have also laid the foundation or have adopted similar policies and regulations to help protect human health and the environment.
What is REACH?
REACH (EC 1907/2006) was implemented by the EU in June 2007, to prevent the use of certain chemical substances in products manufactured, sold, and imported within the EU. REACH aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment through better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.
REACH has established procedures that companies, manufacturers, and suppliers have to follow for collecting and assessing information on substances through the four principles of REACH:
- Registration
- Evaluation
- Authorization
- Restriction of chemicals.
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What is the REACH Registration Process?
REACH requires the registration of chemical substances manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities exceeding one metric ton per year. Companies that sell, manufacture, or import products containing these substances are required to assess the hazards and potential risks presented by the substance and to submit it through a registration dossier to ECHA.
Companies that fail to comply with REACH could face serious consequences including steep fines and product recalls.
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What is REACH Authorization?
Authorization starts when a Member State or ECHA, at the request of the Commission, proposes a substance to be identified as an SVHC.
Generally, these are, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic in other ways. Once a substance is identified as an SVHC, it is included in the Candidate List.
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What is the REACH Substance Restricted List?
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals and is a safety regulation that was implemented by the European Union (EU) to prevent the use of certain toxic chemical substances in products manufactured, sold, and imported within the EU.
Certain substances are restricted from being manufactured, marketed, or used across the EU by REACH Annex XVII, also known as the restricted substances list, whether they are authorized or not. These substances are deemed to pose a substantial risk to human health and the environment.
Learn More About the REACH Substance Restricted List
REACH Exemptions
It is important to note that there are a few categories of substances exempted from the REACH regulations, most of which are subject to requirements from other legislations.
Total Exemptions Include:
- Radioactive substances
- Substances in temporary storage under customs supervision
- The transport of hazardous substances
- Substances used in the interest of defense
- Non-isolated intermediates
- Waste, but not products recovered from waste
Registration and authorization are not applied to the following substances:
- Scientific research and development
- Food and feedstuffs
- Medicinal products
Registration is not required for the following:
- Substances that present minimal risk (listed in Annex IV)
- Substances that have been previously registered, exported, and re-imported into the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Substances that occur in nature
- Substances already registered and recovered through a waste recovery process
REACH Enforcement
REACH enforcement includes ensuring that companies have registered or pre-registered substances as well as verifying the Safety Data Sheets. Enforcement of REACH is the responsibility of each EU Member State and ECHA does not have any enforcement responsibilities since it is a community-level institution. However, ECHA does host the Forum for Exchange for Information on Enforcement, a body composed of representatives of national enforcement authorities, that coordinate the enforcement of REACH.
Difference Between RoHS & REACH
The RoHS and REACH regulations, established by the EU, are vital for curbing hazardous substances in electronics and chemicals. RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical products, while REACH covers all chemicals. Noncompliance leads to penalties and recalls. Adherence requires supply chain transparency, testing, and sustainability commitment.
Read more about the Differences Between RoHS & REACH
2023 Updates to REACH
ECHA added nine hazardous chemicals to Candidate List through (ECHA/NR/23/02) on January 17, 2023. The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) now contains 233 harmful chemicals. Companies are responsible for managing the risks of these chemicals and must also give their customers and consumers information to use them safely.
Learn More About REACH 2023 Updates
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