FAQs - Registering chemicals (REACH)

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a law that aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals. Your company is affected by REACH if you are a manufacturer, importer, or downstream user of chemicals within the EU.

The main requirements of REACH include:

• Registration: You must register chemical substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) before you manufacture or import them in quantities of one tonne or more per year.
• Evaluation: ECHA evaluates the information in your registration dossier to assess risks.
• Authorisation: Certain substances identified as being of very high concern (SVHC) require authorisation for specific uses.
• Restriction: REACH can impose restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market, or use of certain substances.

The ECHA manages the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of REACH. This includes handling the registration process, evaluating data, and providing guidance and support to help you comply with the regulation.

The registrant must be a natural or legal person established within the EEA who is the manufacturer or importer of the substance or who has been appointed as an only representative. If the manufacturer and the importer of a single substance are two different companies, they must submit their registration jointly. This is based on the "one substance, one registration" principle.

The manufacturer or importer is responsible for collecting information on the properties and uses of substances. They must assess the associated hazards and potential risks and how to control them, and transmit this information to ECHA in a registration dossier. To start the registration, you must follow all the relevant steps on the ECHA website.

A Safety Data Sheet is a document that provides detailed information on the properties of a chemical substance or mixture. It includes information on its hazards, safe handling, and emergency measures in case of an accident. If you are a supplier, you must provide an SDS to professional users of hazardous substances and mixtures.

SVHCs are substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment. Examples include carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances, and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances. These substances are subject to a strict authorisation procedure.

The one tonne per year threshold applies to registration only. There are several obligations under REACH that apply irrespective of tonnage. These include restrictions, authorisation, and communication in the supply chain (such as the provision of safety data sheets). Learn more on ECHA website.

Companies established outside of the EU/EEA do not have obligations under REACH. It is the EU importer that sources substances from a non-EU/EEA company who must comply with REACH. Non-EU/EEA manufacturers and formulators exporting substances to the EU can appoint an "only representative" to fulfil the obligations of importers. More guidance on only representatives can be found in the Q&A section on only representatives.

Visit ECHA’s Q&A page for a complete overview and to find answers to all your questions.