REACH - Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals
Introduction
If you use, supply or manufacture, or import chemical substances, you need to find out what duties you have under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
REACH applies to all chemical substances, not only those used in industrial processes but also in our day-to-day lives, for example, in:
- cleaning products
- paints
- clothes
- furniture
- electrical appliances
In general, under REACH, you may have one of these roles:
- manufacturer
- importer
- exporter
- distributer
- downstream user
This guide will explain to anyone importing, manufacturing or distributing chemicals in Northern Ireland and/or Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) how the EU REACH and UK REACH rules might affect their business.
Keep up to date with REACH
To keep up to date with news on EU REACH, such as updates on consultations, new restrictions, authorisations and process development, and additions to the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC), you can register for the European Chemicals Agency weekly email.
To keep up to date with information relating to UK REACH that is relevant and specific to accessing the GB market, you can sign up for Health & Safety Executive (GB) eBulletins.
You can also see our guide on how to keep up to date on chemicals regimes.