Main features of REACH
REACH will apply to substances manufactured or imported in quantities over 1 ton per year. Special registration and evaluation requirements will be introduced. This regulation is expected to be applied to approximately 30.000 substances. The REACH system is based on the following:
- An initial phase of pre-registration which will take around 18 months and during which the Agency will inform companies of REACH new provisions.
- The registration of phase-in substances such as substances manufactured or imported over 1.000 tons, substances of high concern and very ecotoxic substances manufactured above 100 tons will end three and a half years from the entry into force of REACH. The registration period of phase-in substances manufactured or imported between 10-100 tons ends six years after the entry into force of this new regulation. A registration period of 11 years is foreseen for low-volume substances (1-10 tons).
- The regulation also includes rules on the role of distributors and downstream users in the supply chain, especially regarding to how manufacturers, importers or downstream users should react to information on identified uses provided by distributors and/or downstream users.