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Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH)

Policy Position

REACH entered into force on 1 June 2007 and represents a major review of EU chemicals policy and legislation. FDF supports the principles and main objectives of the Regulation, which will principally affect the food and drink manufacturing sector as downstream users of chemical substances and preparations including cleaning chemicals, machine lubricants, sterilisers and adhesives.

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Background

The REACH Regulation represents a consolidation and revision of over 40 existing Directives and Regulations. It is aimed at improving the protection of human health and the environment whilst maintaining the competitiveness and enhancing the innovative capability of the EU chemicals industry. The main obligations fall upon the chemicals industry and the food industry will, for the most part, be affected only as downstream users. All chemicals manufactured or imported in quantities of more than one tonne per year will need to be registered on a central database for its specific uses. A new European Chemicals Agency has been established in Helsinki to manage the database and perform safety assessments. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the REACH competent authority for the UK and will lead on enforcement. Chemicals of high concern will need to be evaluated and authorised.

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