REACH and CLP – important EU regulations on the safety of chemicals

For scientific research, the regulatory requirements for chemicals are low. But even for laboratory work, knowledge of physical and chemical properties, such as flammability, is important. And essential information on the toxicity of the substances used should also be known if possible. These are essential parts of a chemical registration according to REACH.

If your company manufactures or imports more than one ton of a substance/chemical per year, a chemical registration according to REACH (ECHA) is required. If another company has already registered the substance, you can refer to their documents, but you must make a financial contribution. If, on the other hand, you are the first registrant of a substance, the time and financial outlay is not insignificant. ⇒ Registration

The import of chemicals is a particular challenge. These generally consist of mixtures of different substances, and the non-EU supplier is often unwilling to provide full details of the composition. Nevertheless, the importer is responsible for compliance with the law.

There are special communication obligations for substances of very high concern. And for further use, you may require authorization from the European Commission. ⇒ Authorization

Restriction regulations must also be observed, i.e. some substances are prohibited for certain uses or their concentration is limited.

The European REACH and CLP regulations are complex regulations with various exceptions and deadlines. A large number of guidelines and explanations from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) help to understand the requirements for the registration of chemicals. However, the correct interpretation of the regulations, i.e. whether and what really needs to be done, can be a challenge. Ultimately, the European Court of Justice decides how the laws are to be interpreted and what should have been done. ⇒ Impact analysis

And what happens if someone ‘forgets’ to implement the regulations? The German Chemicals Act (§27b) provides for strict sanctions with up to five years imprisonment for willful disregard. But don’t worry: the prisons are not full of REACH offenders. However, what your customer will say if you supply them with non-compliant products and how this will affect your business is another matter. ⇒ Consulting and support