REACH
DEFINITION REACH is a regulatory legislation which will have a huge impact upon every manufacturer, importer, exporter, retailer, chemical supplier and distributor involved in business, either directly or indirectly in the European Union.
It came into being on June 1 2007.
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is in charge of the day to day management of REACH.
AIM The aim is to protect human health and the environment from the risks arising from the use of chemicals.
REGISTRATION Registration requires producers and importers to submit information on chemical substances produced in or imported to the EU market in quantities above 1 tonne per year.
A point to be noted here is that only substances are subject to registration where as finished products and preparations are not
Substances in finished products should be registered if they are intended to be released under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use or if they are contained in volume above 1 tonne per year.
Manufacturers, importers, exporters, retailers etc have to register their substances by means of a registration dossier which must be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
SUBSTANCES EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION 1) Substances occurring in nature such as minerals, ores and /or concentrates, cement clinker, natural gas, L.P.G, natural gas, condensate, process gases and components, crude oil, cola and coke. 2) Substances like hydrogen, oxygen, noble gases like argaon, helium, neon, xenon and nitrogen. 3) Polymers are exempt from registration.
EVALUATION By this procedure, Regulatory authorities are able to assess if any further testing is required as related to a substance which is a risk to the health of individuals or may cause harm to the environment.
AUTHORISATION There exists an authorisation system which monitors that substances of a very high concern or which are dangerous are properly controlled and replaced by safer substances.
A list is being prepared of substances which meet the requisite criteria. It is due to come out in the month of June 2009. If a substance, after assessment, is banned, it is included in the Annex and an individual who uses the same will have to get authorisation.
RESTRICTION OF CHEMICALS The European Union authorities will place restrictions on the manufacturing, using and placing on the market of substances which cause a risk to human health or the environment.