Brief Explanation: REACH Registration 2 minutes summary
The REACH Registration: REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a regulation adopted by the European Union in 2006 to improve the protection of human health and the environment against the risks posed by chemicals. According to REACH, manufacturers and importers of chemicals must register their products with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The main objective of registration is to provide information on the properties and potential hazards of these substances.
The REACH registration process can be complex and time-consuming. This is because companies must submit extensive data on the properties, uses, and risks of each chemical substance. Registration is completed by all manufacturers and importers of the substance in quantities of one tonne or more per year. However, there may be certain exemptions from REACH registration due to their nature or low risk.
To register a substance under REACH, companies must first identify and characterize the substance, including its chemical composition, impurities, and possible degradation products. They must also determine its physical and chemical properties, such as melting point, boiling point, solubility, and reactivity. Additionally, they must determine its potential hazards, including its toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and ecotoxicity.
Companies that carry out a REACH registration must identify and characterize the substance, including its chemical composition, impurities, and possible degradation products.
Once the substance has been characterized and its potential hazards have been identified, companies must prepare a registration dossier, which includes information on the identity, properties, uses, and hazards of the substance, as well as its exposure and risk assessment. Companies must submit the dossier to ECHA through an online portal, along with a registration fee based on the quantity of the substance the company is registering and its size (SME or large company).
Once the dossier has been submitted, ECHA will review the information provided and assess the risks posed by the substance. If the substance is considered to be hazardous, ECHA may request additional information or impose restrictions on its use. If the authorities consider the substance to be safe for use, they will add it to the EU list of registered substances. The list of substances and registered companies is publicly available on the ECHA website.
The REACH registration process aims to promote the safe use of chemicals, while providing transparency and accountability to manufacturers and importers. Thanks to the information obtained, REACH allows regulators and stakeholders to make informed decisions about the risks associated with these substances. In turn, it facilitates decision-making on the appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment.
REACH aims to promote the safe use of chemicals, while providing transparency and accountability to manufacturers and importers.
In conclusion, the REACH registration process is an essential part of the European Union’s efforts to protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals. REACH allows regulators and stakeholders to make informed decisions about the risks associated with these substances. It also allows them to take appropriate measures to minimize these risks by requiring manufacturers and importers to provide detailed information about their products. While the registration process can be complex and time-consuming, it is a fundamental component of ensuring the safe use of chemicals in the EU.
If you need to register chemicals under REACH, contact us and we will help you.
Full REACH Regulation text here
