The EU regulatory framework for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) was formally adopted on December 18, 2006 by the Council of Environment Ministers. REACH entered into force on June 1, 2007.

The goal is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through better and earlier identification of the properties of chemical substances. The Regulation also calls for the progressive substitution of the most dangerous chemicals when suitable alternatives have been identified.

The REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. Manufacturers and importers will be required to gather information on the properties of their substances and to register the information in a central database.

Links for the most up to date information on REACH:
European Commission
REACH Ready