REACHbeleid

The REACH Regulation is a European Union regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. This regulation was introduced on June 1, 2007, and it has been implemented in all 27 member states of the European Union. The main aim of the regulation is to ensure the safe and sustainable use of chemicals within the EU.

Under the REACH regulation, all companies that place chemicals on the European market are required to register these substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This registration process involves providing detailed information on the chemical's properties, uses, and risks associated with its use. Companies must also demonstrate their safe use of the chemicals and ensure that they are not causing harm to human health or the environment.

The regulation also allows for the evaluation and authorization of chemicals, which requires that manufacturers and downstream users of these chemicals provide proof that their substance meets certain safe use requirements. If a chemical is deemed to be hazardous, the EU may restrict or even ban its use. For instance, some chemicals that have been linked to health problems or environmental damage, such as cadmium and lead, have been restricted in their use.

Another important aspect of the REACH regulation is the requirement for the safe use of chemicals. Companies are expected to provide accurate and up-to-date safety information to their customers, which includes consumers and workers. This includes information on the safe handling, storage, and use of chemicals. Furthermore, suppliers of chemicals must also consider the sustainability of their products, taking into account the entire lifecycle of the chemical, from production to disposal.

Through the REACH regulation, the EU aims to ensure that chemicals are used in a way that protects human health and the environment, while also promoting the supply of safe and sustainable chemicals to the market.