REACH Regulation

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated 18 December 2006, establishing a comprehensive European Union system for managing chemical substances. REACH came into force on 1 June 2007 and has been amended multiple times. It applies to all chemical substances manufactured in or imported into the EU above 1 tonne per year, with obligations across the supply chain for manufacturers, importers, downstream users, and distributors. REACH established ECHA as its central regulatory body.

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Official Journal L 396, 30 December 2006; as amended.

REACH is the world’s most comprehensive chemical regulatory framework. It applies to substances on their own, in mixtures, and in articles. Core compliance obligations for industry include: pre-registration and registration of substances; Chemical Safety Assessment; Safety Data Sheet preparation; SVHC communication and notification; and compliance with restriction and authorisation requirements. Compliance programmes must be updated continuously as ECHA updates key lists.