REACH
What is REACH?
REACH is the REGISTRATION, EVALUATION, AUTHORIZATION OF CHEMICALS. Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the safe use of chemicals, through their registration and evaluation and in certain cases the authorisation and restriction of trade and use of certain substances. Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the safe use of chemicals, through their registration and evaluation and in certain cases the authorisation and restriction of trade and use of certain substances.
The REACH Regulation, is directly applicable, without the need for implementation into Polish law. It entered into force on June 1, 2007, and replaces dozens of previously binding community legal acts, both regulations and directives introduced into Polish law by the Act on chemical substances and their mixtures
What does REACH cover?
In principle all chemicals are subject to the provisions of REACH, however a number of chemicals, such as plant protection products, biocides, medicinal products, cosmetics, food and feed additives, regulated by other Community legislation are exempt from some or almost all of the provisions of the Regulation.
Substances derived from nature are also exempt from registration as long as they are not hazardous and have not been chemically modified.
The REACH regulation distinguishes between several roles in the supply chain of substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles that are related to an enterprise’s activities. The obligations to be fulfilled depend on the company’s role in the supply chain. An enterprise can play different roles for different substances.
What is REACH for?
The REACH Regulation changes the control of chemicals in the European Union. A number of changes have been adopted to improve the management and control of chemicals in the European Union. There is no longer any distinction between “new” and “existing” substances, which are now covered by a common system. The burden of responsibility for risk assessment and testing of a substance has been shifted from authorities to industry. Manufacturers and importers have been obliged to register substances. Downstream users have been brought into the chemical control system, ensuring that information on risks posed by substances is circulated throughout the supply chain.
The main objectives of the system created by REACH are:
– protecting human health and the environment,
– Ensuring a high level of safety in the workplace,
– maintain and enhance the competitiveness of the European chemical industry,
– Integration of European and international activities,
– minimise testing on vertebrate animals.
REACH regulations in the activity of P.P.H. STANLAB SP. Z O.O.
Due to the fact that P.P.H. STANLAB SP. Z O.O. is not a manufacturer, but only deals with commercial activity, depending on the source of purchase of chemical substances, it can act as a distributor, downstream user or importer
Regardless of the role we play in the supply chain, we meet all the obligations imposed on us by the REACH regulation to ensure that the raw materials (substances, mixtures) we supply comply with the law.
For more information on REACH:
National REACH Information Center: http://reach.gov.pl
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): http://echa.europa.eu
REACH and CLP Consultation Point of the Ministry of Economy: http://www.reach-info.pl
Office for Chemical Substances: http://www.chemikalia.gov.pl