Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemical Substances Regulations (REACH)

www.valpak.co.uk 08450 682 572info@valpak.co.ukRegistration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction ofChemical Substances Regulations (REACH)What is REACH?REACH came into force in June 2007 and is being phasedin over a period of 11 years. The regulations integrate42 separate pieces of chemical related legislation andaims to protect users’ health and the environmentthrough better understanding of chemical substances.A ‘substance’ is a chemical element and its compounds,either in a natural state or created by a manufacturingprocess.REACH is regulated by the ECHA (European ChemicalsAgency) and the legislation applies to all types ofchemical substances, including:• Neat’ chemicals, i.e. substances themselves• Formulated products, known as ‘mixtures’ or ‘preparations’• Chemicals released during their everyday use, e.g. printer ink from an ink cartridge. These are known as ‘Articles with release’REACH further divides chemicals into ‘existing’ and ‘new’substances:• Existing substances - those that were on the market prior to the REACH Regulations coming into force• New substances - those that were not on the market prior to the REACH Regulations coming into forceWho is Affected?You will be affected by REACH if you:• Manufacture, or import into the EU, chemical substances or mixtures of chemical substances• Process chemicals or create mixtures for end use, e.g. cleaning products, paints or motor oils• Produce or import goods which contain substances that are released during their use e.g. construction materials, electronic components, toys or vehicles• Use chemicals within your workplace in any type of application What You Need to DoManufacturers and ImportersUnder REACH, companies must register each substancemanufactured or imported in quantities of more than 1tonne per year. If a company fails to register a substancethey must stop manufacturing or importing it.‘Downstream Users’You are a ‘downstream user’ if you use a substance,either on its own or in a mixture, in the course of yourindustrial or professional activities.‘Downstream users’ have a range of obligations underREACH which primarily relate to ensuring the safe use ofthe chemical product, as well as providing informationand documents to further downstream customers. ‘Use’is understood to mean any processing, formulation,consumption, storage, keeping, treatment, filling intocontainers, transfer from one container to another,mixing, production of an article or any other utilisation.Your business could be affected by other environmental legislation such as Packaging, RoHS or WEEE Regulations To find out more visit:www.valpak.co.uk/ComplianceValpak offers a broad range of services to help you achieve compliancewith environmental legislation, make the most of environmental cost savingsand stay ahead of the competition by enhancing environmental reputation