New legislation affecting chemicals use explained

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) is a legislation which controls the manufacture, import and use of chemicals across the EU, and doesn’t just apply to businesses in the chemicals sector.

Multiple uses of chemicals

Businesses manufacturing goods such as cars, taps, telephones, electrical components, pipes and clothing, as well as mixtures of substances like paints, glues and cleaners (which are made up of chemical substances) should also be aware of REACH.

The aim of REACH is to improve the availability and quality of information about chemicals through a registration scheme. It also shifts the balance of responsibility from the regulatory authorities to business, for assembling such information and assessing what it means in terms of effective measures to protect our health and the environment.

It goes further – some chemicals with properties of particular concern need to be authorised for use or may not be allowed for some uses. This could have significant implications if such chemicals are crucial to a business or are components of business-critical materials used in non-chemical sectors of industry.

Registering a substance

The first major stage of REACH implementation began on 1 June 2008 with the start of the pre-registration period, which runs until 1 December 2008.

This is a simple and free procedure that notifies the European Chemicals Agency of an intention to register a substance.

It does not commit to registration of the substance at a later stage if this proves unnecessary (e.g. manufacture or import ceases), but it allows use of the staggered registration deadlines up to June 2018 available under REACH to assist businesses with compliance.

Failure to pre-register may result in having to register substance(s) fully immediately after 1 December to be able to continue to manufacture or import them.

Manufacture or import may have to stop while this process is undertaken.

Information and advice

REACH applies equally in all 27 member states of the EU (and to most of the EEA countries).

For more information and advice on how REACH may impact your UK-based business, and how best you can comply, visit the UK REACH Competent Authority website or contact the Competent Authority’s Helpdesk for business and industry on 0845 408 9575, or at ukreachca@hse.gsi.gov.uk.

Based outside the EU and need information or advice on REACH generally? Contact the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Do you have customers in the UK? Direct them to the UK REACH Competent Authority

Are you a company within the EU (but outside the UK)? Contact your home country’s national helpdesk