REACH Regulations Easy Explained 

REACH Regulations Easy Explained 

Jan 27, 2026 | Resources

REACH Regulations Easy Explained 

REACH regulations

Chemicals play a key role in many products people use every day. However, chemicals can also create risks if they are not managed properly. For this reason, the European Union introduced REACH, one of the most comprehensive chemical regulations in the world. This article therefore explains what REACH is, who must comply with it, and what its main requirements involve.

What is REACH? 

REACH is the European Union’s main chemical regulation, and stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals. 

Its purpose is simple: Make chemical safer. 

Before REACH came into force, European chemical regulations differed significantly between countries. As a result, authorities struggled to control risks, share information, and provide equal protection across the region. To address these challenges, REACH brought chemical safety requirements together under a single, unified system. Consequently, companies must now manage chemicals safely and consistently throughout the EU.

The REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 applies to chemical substances on their own, in mixtures, and in many everyday products (also called article). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), together with national authorities in each EU/EEA country, enforces the regulation.

Who Needs to Follow REACH? 

REACH applies in all EU member states and EEA countries and includes imported products, not just those made within the area.  

REACH responsibilities depend on your role in the supply chain: 

  • Manufacturers: Produce chemicals within the EU/EEA 
  • Importers: Bring chemicals, mixtures, or products into the region 
  • Downstream users: Use chemicals in processes 
  • Distributors: Store or sell chemicals 
  • Companies: Any company that makes, imports, uses, or sells chemicals or chemical-containing products 
  • Workers: Employees handling products containing chemicals must receive safe-use information and training 

What Does REACH Require? 

Registration

Registration is the foundation of REACH. Companies must register any substance they manufacture or import in quantities above one tonne per year. 

To do so, companies submit a registration dossier to ECHA. This dossier includes:

  • Substance identity (chemical name, structure, composition) 
  • Hazard data (toxicity, environmental effects, physical hazards) 
  • Safe-use instructions 
  • Exposure scenarios (for larger tonnage bands) 
  • Analytical data to confirm substance identity 
  • Information on uses across the supply chain 

The goal is to ensure that companies understand the risks of the chemicals they handle. 

Important: REACH follows the principle “one substance, one registration”, meaning companies producing the same substance must share data and submit joint dossiers to avoid unnecessary testing. 

Evaluation 

ECHA and EU member states review registration dossiers to ensure they meet REACH requirements. Companies must keep their information up to date. 

Evaluation focuses on three areas: 

  1. Testing proposals: Checking if planned tests are appropriate 
  2. Compliance checks: Verifying dossier quality 
  3. Substance evaluation: Examining if a substance may pose a risk 

Authorisation 

Authorisation aims to control Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and replace them with safer alternatives where possible. 

A substance may qualify as an SVHC if it is:

  • Carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR)
  • Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT)
  • Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB)
  • Of equivalent concern

Once authorities identify a substance as an SVHC, they add it to the Candidate List. Consequently, suppliers must meet additional obligations, such as:

  • Providing a safety data sheet (SDS) 
  • Communicating safe-use information 
  • Informing ECHA if an article contains the substance above 0.1% 

Over time, authorities may move certain SVHCs to Annex XIV (the Authorisation List). At that point, companies may only use the substance if they apply for and receive authorisation. Furthermore, authorisations are time-limited and subject to regular review.

    Restriction

    Restrictions address chemicals that pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. Depending on the risk, restrictions may:

    • Ban a substance completely 
    • Limit the quantity used
    • Restrict certain uses only 
    • Require specific measures, such as labelling or technical controls 

    Restrictions can apply to substances on their own, in mixtures, or in articles. Notably, they may also apply even when a substance is not registered or is produced in small quantities. However, certain use, such as on-site isolated intermediates or research and development, may qualify for exemptions.

    REACH Influence Outside the EU 

    REACH has become a global reference point for chemical safety. Many countries outside the EU and EEA have created regulations inspired by REACH, with some of them being: 

    • United Kingdom (UK REACH): Adopted after Brexit, largely mirroring EU REACH 
    • Turkey (KKDIK): A REACH-like regulation requiring registration, evaluation, and authorisation 
    • South Korea (K-REACH): Strongly influenced by EU REACH, including registration and risk assessment 
    • India: Developing the Indian Chemicals (Management and Safety) Rules (CMSR), based on REACH-principles 

    REACH sets one of the highest standards for chemical safety in Europe, and its influence now extends worldwide. By understanding your responsibilities, you not only protect people and the environment but also strengthen your business. As more countries adopt REACH-inspired regulations, meeting these requirements is becoming a global expectation.

    What Does OSHA Stand For? 

    What Does OSHA Stand For? 

    Nov 3, 2025 | Resources

    What Does OSHA Stand For? 

    OSHA regulation

    Chemical safety is a critical challenge for companies handling hazardous substances. In the United States, the regulatory framework that shapes how chemicals must be managed and communicated is largely based on OSHA. But what does OSHA stand for, and why is it so significant? 

    OSHA Meaning 

    So, what is OSHA? OSHA is short for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency within the US Department of Labor. OSHA’s main responsibility is to help companies ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. This includes setting workplace standards, conducting inspections, issues fine for non-compliance, and provides training and resources. 

    While OSHA’s rules cover a wide range of workplace hazards, its guidance on hazardous chemicals is among the most widely used and recognised. 

    How OSHA Started 

    OSHA was established in 1971 following the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Before this legislation, workplace injuries and deaths in the US were alarmingly common, with limited legal protections for workers. The Act empowered the federal government to create enforceable standards and to hold employers accountable for unsafe working conditions. OSHA has since evolved into one of the most influential bodies governing workplace safety practices. 

    OSHA’s HazCom Standard 

    A key part of OSHA’s regulatory framework is the Hazard Communication, often referred to as HazCom. This standard requires employers to inform and train workers about the chemicals they may be exposed to on the job. It includes requirements for: 

    HazCom also aligns closely with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for labelling and classifying chemicals. 

    OSHA for Employers 

    For employers, OSHA represents both a responsibility and a support system. Employers must: 

    • Provide a workplace free from recognised hazards 
    • Comply with OSHA standards relevant to their industry 
    • Maintain records of injuries and illnesses 
    • Train employees on safety procedures 
    • Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 

    OSHA for Employees 

    Employees also have defined rights under OSHA regulations. These include: 

    • The right to a safe workplace 
    • The right to receive training in a language they understand 
    • Access to relevant safety information, including SDS 
    • The right to request an OSHA inspection 
    • Protection from retaliation for reporting safety concerns 

    Chemical Management Plan 

    A strong chemical management plan is essential for meeting OSHA’s chemical safety requirements. It ensures hazardous substances are properly tracked, labelled, stored, and handled. Modern tools such as a chemical inventory management system and OSHA compliance software make this process far more efficient. These systems help organisations maintain accurate chemical inventories, keep SDS libraries up to date, manage storage locations, record incidents, and generate compliance reports, all of which support HazCom alignment and safer day-to-day operations. 

    OSHA plays a crucial role in shaping safe and healthy workplaces in the US.  Whether you are an employer or employee, understanding OSHA’s purpose and requirements is key to creating safer, more informed, and compliant workplaces.