Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemical Substances (REACH) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances (REACH) went into effect on June 1, 2007. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) based in Helsinki, Finland, was set up to implement and monitor the REACH system.
Compared with EU Directive 2011/65/EU on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), REACH applies to a much wider sector of industry. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and for the environment. This includes the promotion of alternative methods of assessing the potential risks posed by substances.
Under the REACH regulation, manufacturers and importers of substances must obtain all the data needed to assess the substances they produce or import. They must also demonstrate convincingly that their substances are safe to handle for all identified uses and thus harmful effects on human health and the environment can be avoided. Registration is required for each substance produced or imported in quantities of one metric ton or more per year per manufacturer/importer.
Concerning substances of very high concern (SVHC) manufactures of articles in particular components manufacturers are obliged to inform their customers in case an SVHC is contained in a product with more than 0,1% w/w. The list SVHC is regularly updated and published by the ECHA.
Detailed information on the current status of the candidate list and affected EPCOS products:
