The European Union REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006, entered into force on June 1st, 2007 as the European Union Chemicals Regulation to standardise and simplify previous regulations on chemicals. REACH is applicable in all countries of the European Union.
The aim of REACH is to protect human health and the environment by assessing, in as much detail as possible, the risks arising from the chemicals used. The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) defines the scope as follows: “the REACH regulation applies to all chemical substances: those used in industrial processes, but also those that are used in our day-to-day life, for example in cleaning products, paints and articles such as clothing, furniture and electrical appliances. Therefore, this regulation has an impact on most companies across the EU.”
One of the primary objectives of REACH, which was set for May 31st, 2018, was to adopt the principle that the company is directly liable, and that chemicals can only circulate if they have been registered, allowing the establishment of an inventory of so-called registered substances, where each substance has its own registration number.
Registered substances are analysed in laboratories and documentation is submitted to ECHA describing specifically the physicochemical properties of a given substance. This then provides more information on measures to be taken regarding the use of this substance.
The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation [(EC) No. 1272/2008] is based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and its purpose is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles.
The CLP Regulation amended the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC (DSD)), the Dangerous Preparations Directive (1999/45/EC (DPD)) and Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH ). Since June 1st, 2015, this is the only legislation in force in the EU for the classification and labelling of substances and mixtures.
The CLP Regulation is legally binding in all Member States and directly applicable to all industrial sectors. It requires manufacturers, importers or downstream users of substances or mixtures to classify, label and package their hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market.
One of the main aims of CLP is to determine whether a substance or mixture displays properties that lead to a classification as a hazardous substance or mixture. In this context, the classification is the starting point for communicating on hazards. The classification and labelling of certain hazardous chemicals is harmonised to ensure adequate risk management across the EU.