The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) Regulations were introduced in June 2007, with the aim of protecting users’ health as well as the environment through creating a better understanding of chemical substances.
You are affected by REACH if you:
- manufacture or import, into the EU, chemical substances or mixtures of chemical substances
- produce or import goods e.g. construction materials, electronic components, toys or vehicles, which contain substances that are released during their use
- process chemicals or create mixtures for end use, e.g. cleaning products, paints or motor oils, or you use these products professionally
- use chemicals within your workplace in any type of application
If you think that you might be affected by REACH find out what you need to do here.
REACH legislation applies to all manner of chemical substances, which include:
- ‘Neat’ chemicals, i.e. substances themselves
- Formulated products (known as ‘mixtures’ or ‘preparations’)
- Chemicals released during their everyday use (e.g. printer ink from an ink cartridge). These are known as ‘Articles with release’
It is therefore important to note that any chemical used by an organisation has potential REACH implications.