REACH certification is an important EU regulatory certification on the registration,
evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals, which aims to ensure a high level of
protection for human health and the environment, while promoting the competitiveness of
the EU chemical industry. The following is a detailed introduction:
Regulatory content
– **Registration**: For chemical substances with an annual production or import volume of
more than 1 ton, enterprises must register with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
of the EU and provide relevant information about the chemical substance, including
physicochemical properties, toxicological data, use and safety information, etc.
– **Evaluation**: ECHA will evaluate registered chemical substances, review whether the
information submitted by the enterprise is complete and compliant, and evaluate the
potential risks of chemical substances to determine whether further testing or risk
management measures are needed.
– **Authorization**: For chemical substances with high-concern properties, such as
carcinogenic, teratogenic, reproductive toxic substances (CMR), and persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBT), if enterprises want to continue to use them,
they need to apply for authorization from ECHA.
– **Restriction**: Restrict the use of certain chemical substances in specific purposes or
products, and stipulate their maximum allowable content or conditions of use, etc., to
prevent these chemical substances from causing harm to human health and the
environment.
### Certification process
– **Preparation phase**: The enterprise determines the scope of products that need
REACH certification and collects relevant information on chemical substances in the
products, including composition, content, use and safety data. If the enterprise itself
cannot provide complete information, it may need to entrust a professional testing agency
to conduct analysis and testing.
– **Registration phase**: Through the REACH-specific registration platform, the enterprise
submits the prepared information to ECHA. The registration content includes basic
information of chemical substances, safety data sheets (SDS), registration dossiers, etc.
ECHA will conduct a formal review of the submitted registration information. If the
information is incomplete or does not meet the requirements, it will notify the enterprise to
supplement or amend it.
– **Evaluation phase**: ECHA evaluates chemical substances based on registration
information and relevant regulatory requirements. The evaluation may include reviewing
the data submitted by the enterprise, requiring the enterprise to provide additional test
data or information, and risk assessment of chemical substances. Enterprises need to
actively cooperate with ECHA’s evaluation work and provide the required information and
data on time.
– **Authorization or restriction stage**: If a chemical substance is a substance of very high
concern that requires authorization, the enterprise shall gradually reduce the use of the
substance in accordance with the requirements of the REACH regulations before
obtaining authorization, and stop using it within the prescribed period, unless authorized
by ECHA. For restricted chemical substances, enterprises must ensure that the products
meet the restrictions, otherwise they shall not produce, sell or use the relevant products.
### Scope of application
REACH certification applies to chemical substances, preparations and articles produced,
imported or used in the EU market. Specifically, it includes many product areas such as
chemical raw materials, plastics, rubber, textiles, electronic and electrical products, toys,
cosmetics, etc.
### Significance
– **Protect human health and the environment**: Through strict management of chemicals,
REACH certification helps reduce exposure to harmful chemicals to the human body and
pollution to the environment, and reduces potential health risks and ecological hazards.
– **Promote corporate competitiveness**: Although REACH certification places high
demands on enterprises, it also prompts enterprises to strengthen chemical management,
promote technological innovation and green chemistry development, and help improve
the competitiveness of enterprises in the international market.
– **Unified EU market regulations**: REACH certification provides a unified regulatory
framework for chemical management within the EU, eliminates differences in chemical
regulations among member states, and promotes the integration and smooth operation of
the EU’s internal chemical market