Introduction to UK REACH

'REACH' is an abbreviated Term for Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH Regulation).

Prior to the introduction of REACH, there had been concern that the risks presented by chemicals being used and marketed in the EU were not being adequately managed or investigated and that the burden for so doing rested entirely on public authorities. REACH intended to address these concerns by shifting the burden of responsibility for demonstrating understanding and appropriately managing the risks associated with chemicals to those manufacturing and/or importing chemicals or goods containing them (ie industry). In addition, REACH aims to:

1. •

   ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment

2. •

   allow the free movement of substances on the EU market

3. •

   enhance the competitiveness and innovation of the EU chemicals industry, and

4. •

   promote the use of alternative methods for the assessment of the hazardous properties of substances such as quantitative structure-activity relationships

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