The new regulation regarding registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemical substances and preparations in the european union (reach)

Abstract

On 18 December 2006, the eU adopted a new regulation regarding chemical substances (reach: "Registration, evaluation and authorisation of Chemicals"). this regulation was conceived so that the chemical companies disclosed information regarding safety both for human health and the environment of the substances they are producing and that go beyond one ton, in order to identify and substitute hazardous chemicals and also to increase competition within the european chemical industry. Regarding the approximately 3,000 "high risk" substances a previous authorisation system will be introduced and an obligation system to present a substitution plan. the present article analyses the most relevant aspects of these new Regulations and shows their weakness in certain aspects.