The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) is an industry-wide scheme, aimed at making the use of chemicals safer for everyone. As such, the legislation places requirements onto everyone who uses chemicals in their organisation.
Chemical use can be divided into two distinct categories:
Under REACH, companies must register, with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), each substance manufactured or imported in quantities of more than 1 tonne per year. If a company fails to register a substance they must stop manufacturing or importing it.
You are a 'downstream user' if you use a substance, either on its own or in a mixture, in the course of your industrial or professional activities.
‘Downstream users’ will have a range of obligations under REACH legislation which primarily relate to ensuring the safe use of the chemical product, as well as providing information and documents to further downstream customers.
‘Use’ is understood to mean:
- Processing
- Formulation
- Consumption
- Storage / keeping
- Treatment
- Filling into containers
- Transfer from one container to another
- Mixing
- Production of an article or any other utilisation
To find out more about how REACH could affect your company contact us today.