REACH Regulation
REACH is a European Union regulation adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals, while simultaneously enhancing the competitiveness of the European chemicals industry. The regulation also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests performed on animals.
In principle, the REACH regulation applies to all chemical substances: not only those used in industrial processes, but also those used in daily life, such as in detergents or paints, and those present in articles like clothing, furniture, and household appliances. The regulation, therefore, affects the majority of companies throughout Europe.
The REACH regulation places the burden of proof on companies; therefore, under the regulation, companies must identify and manage the risks associated with the substances they manufacture and market in the EU, demonstrate to ECHA how the substance can be safely used, and inform users of risk management measures.
If these risks are not manageable, authorities can restrict the use of substances in various ways, and in the long term, the most hazardous substances must be replaced with less hazardous ones.
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals; the regulation entered into force on June 1, 2007.
