New rules on chemicals – Will it affect my business?

A new system for controlling chemicals became UK law on 1 June 2007. It introduces important new responsibilities for the manufacture, import and use of chemicals. You need to consider how it might affect your business.

The new EU chemicals legislation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals (known as REACH) is now law across the EU. It places the onus on industry to register information related to the potential impact on human health and the environment of the substances that it manufactures, imports, and/or uses. This information will be available up and down the supply chain, and will be used to ensure improved risk management measures for safe handling of the substances concerned.

REACH will impact on almost all UK business sectors. Even businesses that wouldn’t normally think of themselves as being involved with chemicals can be affected by it. From retailers to builders, food manufacturers to printers – most businesses use some form of chemicals in their day to day operations. Although some minor users or producers of chemicals may be unaffected, all businesses need to find out more about their responsibilities under REACH. You should start checking your substance/product inventory now to identify what you need to do to comply with REACH and ensure continued access to key chemicals.

A pre-registration period begins in June 2008 ending on 30 November 2008. Failure to pre-register could have serious consequences, such as inability to continue to use a given chemical.

Help and Advice

The UK Government has established a Competent Authority (CA), hosted by the Health and Safety Executive, who can help and advise on complying with REACH. You can access this help and advice via the CA website or by ringing their helpdesk number 08454 089 575.