How does REACH operate? REACH's impact on the company

Understanding REACH

REACH is a regulation of the European Union aimed at strengthening the protection of human health and the environment from potential risks posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry. It also promotes alternative methods for substance hazard assessment to reduce the number of animal experiments.

In principle, REACH applies to all chemical substances; Not only used in industrial processes, but also in our daily lives, such as cleaning products, paint, and items such as clothing, furniture, and appliances. Therefore, this regulation has an impact on most companies throughout the European Union.

REACH requires the company to bear the burden of proof. To comply with this regulation, companies must identify and manage the risks associated with their substances produced and sold in the EU. They must demonstrate to ECHA how to safely use the substance, and they must communicate risk management measures to users.

If risks cannot be managed, authorities can restrict the use of substances in different ways. In the long run, the most dangerous substances should be replaced with less hazardous substances.

REACH represents the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals. It came into effect on June 1, 2007.

How does REACH operate?

REACH has established a procedure for collecting and evaluating information on the characteristics and hazards of substances.

Companies need to register their substances, so they need to collaborate with other companies that register the same substance.

ECHA receives and evaluates individual registrations for compliance, while EU member states evaluate selected substances to clarify initial concerns about human health or the environment. The authorities and the scientific committee of ECHA assess whether the risks of the substance can be managed.

If the risk cannot be controlled, the authorities can prohibit the use of hazardous substances. They can also decide to restrict their use or subject them to prior authorization.


REACH's impact on the company

REACH affects a wide range of companies in many industries, even those who may think they are not involved in chemicals.

Generally speaking, according to REACH, you may have one of the following roles:

Manufacturer: If you produce chemicals, whether for your own use or supply to others (even for export), you may bear some important responsibilities under REACH.

Importer: If you purchase anything from outside the European Union/European Economic Area, you may be responsible for some of the REACH regulations. It may be a separate chemical, unsold mixture, or finished product, such as clothing, furniture, or plastic products.

Downstream users: Most companies use chemicals, and sometimes they are not even aware of this, so if you handle any chemicals in industrial or professional activities, you need to check your obligations. According to REACH, you may need to take on some responsibilities.

Companies established outside the EU: If you are a company established outside the EU, you are not bound by REACH obligations, even if you export their products to the EU tariff zone. The responsibility for meeting REACH requirements (such as registration) lies with importers established in the EU or the sole representative of non EU manufacturers established in the EU.