Revaluation, evaluation, authorisation
& restriction of chemicals (REACH)
& restriction of chemicals (REACH)
Responsible Body:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Summary:
If you manufacture, import, distribute, sell or use chemical substances you must comply with the REACH Regulations. REACH aims to provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Summary:
If you manufacture, import, distribute, sell or use chemical substances you must comply with the REACH Regulations. REACH aims to provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
Key Requirements:
If you manufacture or import chemical substances into the EU in quantities of one tonne or more per year (and the substance is not exempt), you will be committing an offence if you do not register online with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
If you recover chemical substances from waste in quantities of one tonne or more per year (and the substance is not exempt), you must register it with the ECHA.
If you distribute or use chemicals, you will also have some responsibilities under the REACH Regulations:
You should not distribute chemicals in situations where the EU based manufacturer or importer has not fulfilled their registration duty;
You should pass information on the hazards, uses and risks of the chemicals you distribute;
You should keep all information required to carry out your duties under the REACH Regulations for a period of at least 10 years; and
You should provide your customer with sufficient information to allow safe use of the chemicals.
Distributors should not register chemicals under the REACH Regulations unless you are also an importer.
If your business relies on using chemicals that are not common you should consider contacting your supplier to find out if the chemicals have been registered by whoever makes or imports it and that your use of the chemical will be covered by the registration. If not, you may need to find an alternative importer.
If you recover chemical substances from waste in quantities of one tonne or more per year (and the substance is not exempt), you must register it with the ECHA.
If you distribute or use chemicals, you will also have some responsibilities under the REACH Regulations:
You should not distribute chemicals in situations where the EU based manufacturer or importer has not fulfilled their registration duty;
You should pass information on the hazards, uses and risks of the chemicals you distribute;
You should keep all information required to carry out your duties under the REACH Regulations for a period of at least 10 years; and
You should provide your customer with sufficient information to allow safe use of the chemicals.
Distributors should not register chemicals under the REACH Regulations unless you are also an importer.
If your business relies on using chemicals that are not common you should consider contacting your supplier to find out if the chemicals have been registered by whoever makes or imports it and that your use of the chemical will be covered by the registration. If not, you may need to find an alternative importer.
Penalties & Implications of non-compliance:
Breach of the REACH Regulations is liable to a fine and imprisonment. The REACH Regulations also provide for criminal offences.
Further Information:
HSE: http://www.hse.gov.uk
Breach of the REACH Regulations is liable to a fine and imprisonment. The REACH Regulations also provide for criminal offences.
Further Information:
HSE: http://www.hse.gov.uk