REACH regulations cover the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH). The REACH legislation came into force on 1st June 2007, and replaces a number of European Directives and Regulations with a single system.
It is a major new system for chemical product regulation.
REACH legislation includes the testing of a large range of chemicals and substances for their effects on the environment and human health.
It not only impacts industry which uses chemicals. REACH regulations have implications for manufacturers and importers as well as downstream users of substances, and includes solvent regulations.
REACH legislation requires that all chemicals of one tonne or more in volume (that are manufactured in or imported into the European Union each year) to be registered with a new central European authority – the European Chemicals Agency. This agency will manage the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of REACH legislation.