You can access the latest consolidated version of EU REACH Regulation below in PDF format:

EU REACH Regulation PDF

What is the EU REACH Regulation?

The EU REACH Regulation is a comprehensive regulation governing the manufacture, import, and use of chemical substances within the European Union. REACH stands for:

  • R (Registration): Chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year must be registered with ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency).
  • E (Evaluation): Registration dossiers are examined by experts to assess risks.
  • A (Authorisation): The use of certain hazardous substances of very high concern (SVHCs) is subject to specific authorisation.
  • CH (Restriction of Chemicals): The use of substances presenting unacceptable risks to human health or the environment may be prohibited or restricted.

Legal Basis of the EU REACH Regulation


Primary Legal Basis: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

The direct legal basis of REACH is Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 18 December 2006. This Regulation was enacted pursuant to Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

The main objective of the Regulation is to ensure the free circulation of chemical substances throughout the European Union, improve the functioning of the internal market, and at the same time guarantee a high level of protection of human health and the environment. It also aims to enhance the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the EU chemicals industry.

Fundamental Principles of REACH

REACH is based on the following principles:

  • Industry Responsibility Principle: Companies that manufacture, import, or use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that these substances do not adversely affect human health or the environment, and for demonstrating their safe use.
  • Precautionary Principle: Guides as a a framework for preventive action to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment.
  • “No Data, No Market”: Substances that have not been registered in accordance with the Regulation—whether on their own, in mixtures, or in articles—may not be manufactured or placed on the market within the Community.
  • Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality: Measures under the Regulation comply with the proportionality principle, ensuring they do not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives, and with the subsidiarity principle, where action at Community level is more effective.
  • Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection: Aims for compliance with the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection in line with the principles laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
  • Minimisation of Animal Testing: Promotes the use of vertebrate animal testing only as a last resort and encourages data sharing to avoid unnecessary testing.

Other Relevant Legislation

The EU REACH Regulation is closely linked to the following legislation:

  • CLP Regulation: REACH operates in alignment with the rules on classification, labelling, and packaging for identifying substance hazards and ensures that this information is collected in an inventory.
  • GHS (Globally Harmonized System): Recognises the United Nations’ global standards for the classification of chemicals as the legal basis.

Fees and Charges

Under the EU REACH Regulation, fees are payable for services provided by the European Chemicals Agency, such as chemical registration, requests for confidentiality of information, and updates to registration applications. These fees can be found in the REACH Fee Regulation, or you may contact us for support.

Our EU REACH Expertise at Chemleg

With its expert team, Chemleg provides consultancy services within the scope of the EU REACH Regulation. Our services include:

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