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REACH: next step to a sound chemicals management

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 17, pages S2–S6 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

REACH is the new European Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007 to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on new and on existing chemical substances of the European Union. Companies which manufacture or import more than 1 tonne of a substance per year will be required to register the substance at the new EU Chemicals Agency located in Helsinki. REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to the health and the environment and to provide safety information that will be passed down the supply chain. In principle, REACH applies to all chemicals as such, as components in preparations and as used in articles. REACH is a radical step forward in the EU chemicals management. The onus will move from the authorities to industry. In addition, REACH will allow the further evaluation of substances where there are grounds for concern, foresees an authorisation system for the use of substances of very high concern and a system of restrictions, where applicable, for substances of concern. The Authorisation system will require companies to switch progressively to safer alternatives where a suitable alternative exists. Current use restrictions will remain under REACH system.

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References

  • EC Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC, OJ L 396, 2006, p 1.

  • EC Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2004/73/EC (OJ L 152, 30.4.2004, p 1). Corrected in OJ L 216, 16.6.2004, 1967, p 3.

  • EC Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances, OJ L 84, 5.4.1993, p 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, 1993, p 1).

  • EC Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p 201. Directive as last amended by Directive 2005/90/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 33, 4.2.2006, 1976, p 28).

  • EC Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations, OJ L 200, 30.7.1999, p 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2006/8/EC (OJ L 19, 24.1.2006, 1999, p 12).

  • EC Commission Directive 2001/58/EC of 27 July 2001 amending for the second time Directive 91/155/EEC defining and laying down the detailed arrangements for the system of specific information relating to dangerous preparations in implementation of Article 14 of European Parliament and Council Directive 1999/45/EC and relating to dangerous substances in implementation of Article 27 of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (safety data sheets) (text with EEA relevance). OJ L212, 7.8.2001, 2001, p 24.

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  1. Environment Department, Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Netherlands

    Arnold Van Der Wielen

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  1. Arnold Van Der Wielen
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Correspondence to Arnold Van Der Wielen.

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Van Der Wielen, A. REACH: next step to a sound chemicals management. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 17 (Suppl 1), S2–S6 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500598

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500598

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