Not Yet Reach Compliant? Here's What You Need To Know

Joaquim Pires, is responsible for DKSHs Business Unit Performance Materials Regulatory Affairs in Europe. He informs about the benefits companies can gain from becoming REACH compliant

IT’S ALREADY been eleven years since the introduction of REACH, the European Union’s regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.

The latest milestone in its history came recently when chemical companies were given the final deadline to register substances they manufacture or import from outside of the EU of over one metric ton per year.

Until this deadline, companies were able to sell and import pre-registered substances of this quantity freely on the EU market. Companies must now commit to a complex and lengthy registration process through the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to become REACH compliant. Failure to comply can result in administrative and/or criminal penalties, which are managed on a national level in each member state.

If you are not yet on the road to becoming one of the 13,620 companies already registered under REACH, here are some important thoughts for you to consider.

Safety and commercial benefits: