On the 1 June 2007 the new EU chemicals regulation REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) came into force. This new system is being introduced to simplify the control of chemicals in European market place while at the same time improving the data available on the environmental and health effects of substances. It replaces a patchwork of European Directives with a single system.
In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for REACH implementation, appointed by the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). You can contact the HSE helpdesk on 0845 408 9575 or via e-mail at ukreach@hse.gsi.gov.uk.
The HSE will take on the role of providing advice to businesses, identifying substances of high concern, reporting back to the European Chemicals Agency (EChA), taking regulatory action where appropriate and working with other regulators to enforce the regulations in the UK. SEPA will work closely with the HSE and the other environment agencies to help address and enforce any issues of environmental concern under REACH.
Detailed information about REACH in the UK can be found at
DEFRA: Future EU chemicals policy
Chemical manufacture and storage – HSE
Netregs
Environment Agency – Business and Industry
Further Information about REACH in Europe can be found at
European Chemicals Agency (EChA) for Reach
EUROPA: Environment REACh pages
European Chemicals Bureau
