Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals facts for kids
REACH is a special set of rules in the European Union (EU) that helps keep people and the environment safe from dangerous chemical substances. It became law in 2007. The name REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It means that companies using chemicals in the EU must first tell authorities about them.
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What is REACH?
REACH is like a big rulebook for chemicals used in countries that are part of the European Union. Before REACH, there were many different rules for chemicals, which made things complicated. REACH brought all these rules together to make it simpler and safer. Its main goal is to make sure that chemicals used every day, in products like cleaning supplies or clothes, don't harm people or nature.
Why was REACH created?
Before REACH, many chemicals were used without anyone really knowing if they were safe. This meant there was a risk of harm to people working with these chemicals or to the environment. REACH was created to fix this problem. It puts the responsibility on companies to prove their chemicals are safe. This helps protect workers, consumers, and the natural world from dangerous substances.
How REACH Works: The Four Steps
REACH has four main parts, which are also what its name stands for: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction. These steps work together to control how chemicals are used.
Registration: Telling About Chemicals
If a company makes or brings a chemical into the EU in large amounts (more than one tonne per year), they must register it. This means they have to collect information about the chemical. They need to describe what it is, how it's used, and what its possible dangers are. This information is then sent to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Evaluation: Checking the Information
After chemicals are registered, ECHA or EU countries evaluate the information. They check if the safety information provided by companies is complete and correct. They also look closely at chemicals that might be very risky. This step helps make sure that companies are doing their part to assess chemical safety.
Authorisation: Getting Permission
For chemicals that are very dangerous, companies might need special authorisation (permission) to use them. These are chemicals that could cause serious health problems, like cancer, or harm the environment for a long time. The goal of authorisation is to make sure these chemicals are only used if there are no safer alternatives and the risks are properly controlled.
Restriction: Limiting Harmful Chemicals
Sometimes, a chemical is so dangerous that its use needs to be limited or even completely banned. This is called restriction. If a chemical poses an unacceptable risk to people or the environment, EU countries or ECHA can propose to restrict its use. This means the chemical might not be allowed in certain products or for certain purposes anymore.
Who is in Charge of REACH?
The main organization that manages REACH is the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). ECHA is based in Helsinki, Finland. It collects all the information about chemicals, helps companies understand the rules, and works with EU countries to make sure REACH is followed. ECHA also provides public information about chemicals, so everyone can learn more about the substances around them.
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REACh Key Dates
See also
In Spanish: Registro, evaluación, autorización y restricción de sustancias químicas para niños
