1. DEFINITION

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals) is a European regulation (1907/2006 from 18th December 2006) which defines a process concerning the registration of chemicals in Europe. Its application started on 1st June 2007.

European Regulation

2. EXPLANATION OF THE REGULATION

This regulation forces European manufacturers and importers of chemicals, importing on European territory more than a ton of chemicals in a year, to :

• Register these substances by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)
• Communicate and inform on hazardous chemicals

As the list of hazardous substances ought to be published by mid 2008, the text proposes that companies pre register before the 1st December 2008. Companies that have not already registered a dangerous substance, have been given extra time to register from the 1st of January 2009.

3. GYS SITUATION

Application of the regulation by GYS

4. USEFUL WEB LINKS

• European Chemicals Bureau
• European Chemicals Agency
• Helpdesk France

5. CONTACTS GYS

• Philippe COLAS
• Céline FOUILLET