REACH Regulations on the horizon for chemicals

REACH stands for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and it is new EU legislation, which came into force on 1st June 2007. Reach is intended to provide a systematic framework across Europe for the collection of information on the effects of chemicals (both to humans and the environment). The legislation sits alongside existing regulations (CHIP and COSHH) and will not replace them.

The Regulations will require all manufacturers in the EU and importers in to the EU of chemical substances and preparations to register the product with the newly established European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki. Users further down the line (wholesalers, retailers etc) should ensure that products have been properly registered. Pre-registration begins from 1st June 2008, with the last date for the smallest amount of chemicals (one tonne) being 1st June 2018.

REACH will mean some minor changes to the Safety Data sheets that are currently required under CHIP for chemical products, these are likely to include a change of headings and the requirement for an email address for the supplier to be present. These changes are likely to come into effect from January 2008.

These regulations will apply to all products which contain chemicals, which are likely (under normal use) to be exposed to humans or the environment. Examples include new cars and also clothing (the dyes in coloured clothing are released during washing - normal "use").

The aim of REACH is to gain more information about the 400+ chemicals currently on the market that little is known about. From a safety perspective this is certainly a positive measure, but the logistical implications of implementing such wide-ranging legislation will be huge. The HSE has set up a REACH help-line: 0845 408 9575 or UKREACH@hse.gsi.gov.uk and further information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/reach.htm.

RoSPA has incorporated details of the REACH regulations in all relevant training courses. For details on RoSPA's COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) courses visit http://www.rospa.com/occupationaltraining/nebosh/modular/coshh.htm