REACH Regulation

What is REACH?

REACH is the Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It aims to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals in the European Union (EU).

The text of the Regulation is available by following this link

• Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 [REACH].

Current Position

After 3 years of intensive negotiations between the EU Council and the European Parliament, the REACH Regulation was agreed on 13^th December 2006, and entered into force on 1^st June 2007.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the Health and Safety Authority (the designated Irish national authority for REACH) are undertaking the necessary preparations for implementation and enforcement of REACH in Ireland.

The Health and Safety Authority has set up a dedicated website, www.reachright.ie, which contains further information on how industry should prepare for the introduction of the new chemicals rules.

The European Chemicals Agency [ECHA] began operating on 1^st June 2007 and its website is a single point of entry for all information on REACH. It contains REACH guidance, FAQ’s and other useful information.

Further Information and Useful Links

• Health and Safety Authority REACH pages
• European Chemicals Agency [ECHA] – Guidance on REACH
• IBEC and Pharmachemical Ireland REACH pages
• European Chemicals Bureau – REACH Implementation Projects (RIPs)
• DG Enterprise and Industry REACH pages
• DG Environment REACH pages
• Euractiv chemicals policy review
• European Chemicals Industry Council (CEFIC)