REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restrictions of chemicals)

REACH is a major reform of EU chemicals policy, affecting all global supply chains that produce and use chemicals. This webpage is for U.S. exporters to Europe, particularly SMEs, to inform them about requirements under REACH and to help them comply with this new regulation, in force in all EU Member States since June 1, 2007.

What’s new?

Are you ready for the 2013 Registration deadline? 31 May 2013 is the deadline for the registration of substances manufactured or imported in the EU above 100 tons per year. See the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website for more information: http://echa.europa.eu/2013_en.asp

What is REACH?

Learn more about the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restrictions processes under REACH. This page also covers the Candidate List and requirements for safety data sheets.

EU leaflet: REACH information for exporters to Europe.

CARACAL:

Competent Authorities meetings on REACH implementation (CARACAL) are held every semester and bring together the Commission, ECHA, Member States and a number of observers including non-EU countries. See the latest reports: February 2-4, 2010, June 17, 2010, October 25-27,2010, February 8-9, 2011, and June 8-10, 2011. NEW REPORT: October 26-28.2011

Looking for an Only Representative?

REACH gives the option to non-EU manufacturers to appoint an Only Representative (OR) in the EU. The OR must carry out all obligations of importers under REACH. Our list of Only Representatives (ORs) is a selection of firms which offer assistance to U.S. businesses in making sure their products comply with REACH. These Only Representatives have paid to be a part of our listing, and while we believe them to be reliable and have checked the references they provided, their presence on our list does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Commercial Service. Please note that there is no EU accreditation system for ORs.

REACH Assistance

REACH Business Service Providers: If you need legal or technical assistance for REACH compliance, please check our list of REACH Business Service Providers.

Guidance documents: Guidance documents help you understand and comply with REACH. They cover the main REACH processes. The guidance documents are also available in summary versions.

REACH FAQs: updated in June 2011.

ECHA Helpdesk: You may submit your questions to the helpdesk of the European Chemicals Agency.

Legal Texts:

The original REACH Regulation was adopted in December 06, and any updates to the text will be made available at the ECHA website.

See also the REACH Fee Regulation.

REACH webinars:

The U.S. Department of Commerce organizes REACH seminars and webinars to help companies comply with their obligations under the REACH Regulation.

15-17 November 2011 - REACH and CLP webinar: Presentations by Mike Penman, Penman Consulting; Candace Prusiewicz, ICF International; Georjean Adams, EHS Strategies; Flavie Guerin, U.S. Commercial Service (REACH 101, CLP and SDS 101).

EU Websites:

European Chemicals Agency
DG Enterprise
DG Environment

Contact Information:

If you have additional questions not covered on this website, please send an email to the following address: Office.BrusselsEC@trade.gov and reference "REACH Inquiry" in the subject line. One of our specialists will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.