About Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

REACH or Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, a new chemical regulation was implemented by the European Union (EU) on 1 June 2007. This new EU Regulation, No 1907/2006 and its series of amendments, requires registration of all chemical substances in quantities above one tonne per year which are manufactured or imported into the EU. This also applies to substances in preparations or in articles (i.e. products) where there is potential for release of these substances into the environment.

Objectives

The objectives of the new regulation are to : 

1. Revise the current EU chemical control legislations
2. Improve protection of health and the environment
3. Enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry 

Who does REACH Affect?

1. Manufacturers and importers who make, and import chemicals in quantities of one tonne and above in the EU market
2. Manufacturers who use chemicals during manufacturing, either on its own or in the form of a preparation (downstream users). Examples include colour pigment preparations, detergents coatings, paints, adhesives, photographic materials, electronic devices and automobiles 

What substances are exempted from REACH?

• Substances that present low risks to health and the environment e.g. water, noble gases, and cellulose pulp
• Substances which occur in nature and have not been chemically modified e.g. minerals, ores and ore concentrations and cement clinker
• Transport of substances in the EU

A complete list and details of exempted substances is found in Annex IV and V of the REACH Regulation. 

The European Chemicals Agency

The newly set up European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is responsible for managing all REACH registrations, carrying out dossier evaluation and coordinating the substance evaluation process. It also serves as an expert advisory to the EU Commission in the authorisation and restriction of chemicals.

ECHA also handles requests for registration exemptions and facilitates sharing of test data during the pre-registration stage through formation of the Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEFs). 

REACH Deadlines

Transitional provisions apply for all substances that are currently on the market. Different deadlines are set for registration of “phase-in substances”

Date	Activities
1 June 2007	• REACH enters into force
1 June 2008	• European Chemicals Agency becomes operational • Pre-registration period for existing stances (also known as phase in substances) • Registration of new substances (also know as non-phase in substances)
1 December 2008	• Pre-registration period for phase in substances ends • Assignment of registration numbers for “phase in substances”
1 January 2009	• Pre-Registration list published
30 November 2010	• Classification/labelling submission deadline Registration deadline for : • Substances in quantities of 1,000 tonnes and above • Carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction (CMR) category 1 and 2, above 1 tonne per year • Substances classified as very toxic aquatic organisms , above 100 tonnes per year
1 June 2011	• Submission of notification of substances of very high concern (SVHC)in articles
31 May 2013	• Registration deadline for substances (above 100 tonnes per year that are exported to the EU)
31 May 2018	• Registration deadline for substances (above 1 tonne per year that are exported to the EU)

Related Links & Resources

Download the Complying with REACH - A Guide for SMEs (Second Edition).