REACH - the chemicals regulation in the EU and the UK

Chemicals are used extensively in industry and commerce. Supply chains are often complex and chemicals cross borders between the UK and the EU several times. Most businesses use chemicals, sometimes without even realising it. You need to check your obligations - you may be responsible under EU REACH or UK REACH or both.

What is REACH?

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. The EU's 'REACH Regulation' entered into force on 1 June 2007 [1]. It is the main EU legislation for the regulation of chemicals in the EU. It is a single economic market measure applying in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in addition to the EU.

REACH requires substances manufactured in or imported into the EEA to be registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The regulation then provides a legal framework to control or restrict the use of hazardous substances based on these registrations. 

The European Commission is currently revising the REACH Regulation in line with the European Green Deal, which sets out the ambition to reach zero pollution for a toxic-free environment [2].

What about the UK REACH?

EU REACH ceased to have effect in Great Britain from 1 January 2021. The Government has put in place a separate UK REACH regime that applies to businesses that import, make, sell or distribute chemicals in Great Britain, whether as raw materials or in their finished state. Northern Ireland stays within the jurisdiction of EU REACH (according to the Northern Ireland Protocol).

What is the key difference between the EU and the UK REACH?

The main difference between EU REACH and UK REACH is that they are two separate regulatory frameworks governing the use and management of chemicals. 

Who is affected?

In principle, 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 as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances. Therefore, the regulation has an impact on most companies across the EU and the UK. 

Learn more in the article "REACH chemical regulations in the EU and the UK – international conflict?" by Mark Rowbotham, CCRM Issue 23 (2023)

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[1] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006

[2] European Commission's information 'Chemicals legislation – revision of REACH Regulation to help achieve a toxic-free environment'