REACH:

REACH standards for the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It entered into force on 1 June 2007.

REACH regulation applies to all chemical substances on their own or in preparations as well as in articles(see below definition). It almost impacts every company doing business in or exporting to Europe.

Key elements of the EU REACH regulation include registration, evaluation, authorization, restriction and supply chain communication.

Registration

REACH requires that manufacturers and importers register substances manufactured or imported in quantities of one ton or more per year. This includes substances on their own, in mixtures or substances in articles when they are intended to be released under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.

For all registrations, a registration dossier has to be prepared and submitted electronically via REACH-IT to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Normally, the registration must be successfully completed and a REACH registration number assigned to the registrant before a substance can be manufactured, imported or placed on the market.

Evaluation

ECHA and the Member States evaluate the information submitted by companies to examine the quality of the registration dossiers and the testing proposals and to clarify if a given substance constitutes a risk to human health or the environment.

Authorization

A Substance of Very High concern (SVHC) on REACH Annex XIV (“authorization list”) cannot be placed on the market or used after a given date, unless an authorization is granted for their specific use.

Restriction

REACH Annex XVII of REACH contains the list of restrictions of certain dangerous substances, mixtures and articles for their marketing and use on the European market. A restriction can apply to any substance on its own, in a mixture or in an article, including those that do not require registration.

Quick Info for Producer, Importer or Supplier of Chemicals

If your article contains substance intended to be released (for example, ink in a pen), you shall read your registration obligations. Otherwise you can skip registration and evaluation part.

Compliance with the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemical Substances – EC1907/2006) is mandatory for continued sales of chemicals and products in the European Union. Chemicals manufactured in or imported into the EU in excess of one tonne per annum must be registered.

The European Union’s complex REACH (Registration, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals – 1907/2006/EC) Regulation was implemented to control the use of hazardous substances in the EU market to protect human health and the environment.

One component of the REACH Regulation is the requirement for safety data sheets, intended for hazard communication with the entire supply chain of the physio-chemical data, potential hazards, and procedures for safe use of chemicals. Annex II of the REACH Regulation provides the detailed requirements and format for safety data sheets for substances and mixtures. The information in the SDS should be consistent with the chemical safety report (CSR).

Safety data sheets (SDS) should be provided either before or at the time of first delivery of the substance or mixture. If new information on hazards or risk management measures becomes available, the safety data sheet should be updated without delay. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and downstream users must make sure their current and future safety data sheets for substances and mixtures comply with the REACH Regulation (1907/2006/EC) to keep their products on the EU market.

REACH Safety Data Sheet Services

Maven’s can help your company and its supply chain effectively and efficiently ensure your Safety Data Sheets are REACH compliant. Our services include: