The Regulation known as REACH came into force on June 1, 2007 to control chemical products manufactured and imported into the member states of the European Union (EU), with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment.
REACH has shifted the responsibility for ensuring the health, safety, and environmental information of its products to the industry, requiring European manufacturers and importers to register their chemical substances with the Regulatory Agency ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), before placing them on the European market.
The Regulation also sought to promote the development of alternative methods for assessing the dangers of chemical substances, with the purpose of reducing the number of tests on animals, in addition to guaranteeing their free circulation in the EU, simultaneously reinforcing competitiveness and innovation.
The registration of substances takes place through the drafting and submission of a technical dossier to ECHA, containing information on the characteristics of the products, with data on composition, production process, physical-chemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological properties, among others.
Substances submitted for registration are subject to an evaluation, authorization or restriction process by authorities including the European Commission, ECHA and/or member states. All chemicals are included in the scope of REACH unless classified as exempt by the Regulation.
In addition to regulating chemicals in EU member states, REACH also applies in the EEA (European Economic Area), including Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland.
To understand the stages of the REACH Regulation in detail, visit the ECHA website.