More about REACH

REACH, the new EU chemicals regulation, requires that chemical substances on their own, in preparations and those which are intentionally released from articles have to be registered to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The regulation applies to substances manufactured in, or imported to the EU in annual quantities of 1 tonne or more per company, unless the regulation indicates otherwise.

The obligation to register applies from 1 June 2008. The chemicals currently on the EU market which meet the definition of phase-in substances should be pre-registered between 1 June and 1 December 2008. Companies who pre-register their substances can benefit from extended registration deadlines. The deadline depends on the tonnage band and the hazardous properties of the substance.