Reach-- New EU Chemical Legislation

GT_200503.pdf (application/pdf Object)

REACH:NEW EU CHEMICALS LEGISLATION
Martin Ouwehand | ouwehandm@eu.gtlaw.com | 31 20 301-7402
Erik Zietse | zietsee@eu.gtlaw.com | 31 20 301-7405

In the European Union (EU), over 40 Directives and Regulations currently exist that regulate and control the
use of chemicals. It is believed that the number of chemicals available in the market varies between 30,000
and 100,000. Because of the numerous legislation that is found in a myriad of separate laws, it has been
decided to implement more transparent and efficient legislation for the control of chemicals produced or
used within the EU.

In 2003, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new EU regulatory framework. Under the proposed
new system called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals), companies that
manufacture or import more than one ton of a chemical substance per year will be required to register the
material in a central database.The aims of the proposed new regulation are to improve the protection of
human health and the environment while maintaining the competitiveness and enhancing the innovative
capability of the EU chemicals industry. Additionally, REACH would give greater responsibility to the industry
to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the