This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document 32006R1907
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – how the European Union regulates chemicals
The registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) regulation provides a comprehensive legislative framework for chemicals that are manufactured and used in Europe. It shifts the responsibility for ensuring that chemicals produced, imported, sold and used in the European Union (EU) are safe from public authorities to the industry. The regulation also:
In 2013, the European Commission assessed the first 5 years of the REACH regulation and concluded no major overhaul was required. The second REACH review (REACH refit evaluation) was carried out by 2018 and revealed the need to revise certain elements of the legislation. The chemicals strategy for sustainability, published in October 2020, announced the need for a target revision of REACH (see the communication).
It has applied since 1 June 2007.
The chemicals industry is one of the EU’s largest manufacturing sectors. It plays a pivotal role in our daily lives and in the overall competitiveness of the economy. The EU has put legislation in place that enables the chemicals industry (and the broader manufacturing industry that uses chemicals) to develop and innovate, while at the same time ensuring its products are safe for people and the environment.
For further information, see:
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, pp. 1–849). Text republished in corrigendum (OJ L 136, 29.5.2007, pp. 3–280).
Successive amendments and changes to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and its annexes have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 771/2008 of 1 August 2008 laying down the rules of organisation and procedure of the Board of Appeal of the European Chemicals Agency (OJ L 206, 2.8.2008, pp. 5–13).
See consolidated version.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 of 30 May 2008 laying down test methods pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (OJ L 142, 31.5.2008, pp. 1–739).
See consolidated version.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 340/2008 of 16 April 2008 on the fees and charges payable to the European Chemicals Agency pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (OJ L 107, 17.4.2008, pp. 6–25).
See consolidated version.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1238/2007 of 23 October 2007 on laying down rules on the qualifications of the members of the Board of Appeal of the European Chemicals Agency (OJ L 280, 24.10.2007, p. 10).
last update 17.12.2022