Potassium Iodate, Thymol iodide, Trimethylsulfoxonium Iodide, Silver Iodide, India

REACH

An explanation of REACH European Union regulation.

What Is REACH?

REACH is a European Union Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & restriction of CHemicals.

It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaced a number of European Directives and Regulations with a single system. REACH requires all substances manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year to be registered with a central agency.

What Is The Reason For REACH?

REACH aims to fill a gap in what we know about the chemicals used every day in industry and in consumer products. It takes a broad view of chemical use, and places new duties on businesses depending on where they sit in the supply chain.

Will REACH Ban Products?

The system will definitely enable a more rapid total or partial ban where chemicals cause an unacceptable risk. In addition, measures are foreseen to ensure that animal testing is kept to a strict minimum and to encourage alternative testing methods.

What Is The Main Advantage Of REACH?

It will allow a comprehensive flow of information throughout the industry about the risk of substances, which will in turn filter down to the consumer.

The new system will also simplify E.U. legislation on chemicals by replacing 40 existing pieces of legislation and create a single system for all chemicals.

As Manufacturers Of Chemical Substances, What Will Happen Next?

The chemical substance has to be pre-registered by the manufacturer or importer. This process will be ‘phased-in’ over 11 years, generally for those substances that have been around since 1981. The key registration deadlines are given below.

Date	Action
1 June 2007	REACH came in to force
1 June 2008	Pre-registration for existing ('phase-in') substances started Registration for new ('non phase-in') substances started
30 November 2008	Pre-registration for 'phase-in' substances ended
1 December 2008	Registration for existing substances (that have not been pre-registered) started
1 January 2009	List of pre-registered substances published and SIEF are formed
1 December 2010 PHASE 1	By this date the following pre-registered 'phase-in' substances should have been registered when supplied at: > 1000 tonnes per annum (tpa) or; > 100 tpa and classified under CHIP as very toxic to aquatic organisms or; > 1 tpa and classified under CHIP as Cat 1 or 2 carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants
1 June 2013 PHASE 2	Deadline for registration of substances supplied at = 100 tpa
1 June 2018 PHASE 3	Deadline for registration of substances supplied at = 1 tpa

1 SIEF - Substance Information Exchange Forum
2 CHIP - Chemical (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)

What Is The Difference Between A Substance And A Preparation?

A substance is often referred to as a raw material and a preparation is the actual finished product, in our case a cleaning or hygiene chemical.

Do You Have To Register The Substance And Preparation

It is only necessary to register the substance.

Is REACH worth all the cost and time involved?

As well as benefits for health and the environment, we firmly believe REACH will improve customer confidence in the choice and use of chemicals and also incentivise manufacturers to innovate, by encouraging the substitution of dangerous chemicals for safer alternatives.

There are obvious cost implications but overall we support the REACH regulations, as the implementation is part of our on-going strategy towards responsible care and the protection of the Environment.