Chemical safety and your business.
Date: 2018-09-27
Institutions: European Chemicals Agency
Subjects: chemical industry, chemical product, dangerous substance, environmental risk prevention, industrial research, occupational health, product safety, research and development, technical regulations, testing, type of business, working conditions

What is this about?

The rules for manufacturing, importing and using 
chemicals in the European Union are designed to 
meet the business and societal needs for safer 
chemicals.

REACH aims to manage the risks of chemicals, and 
also to promote competitiveness and innovation 
through registration, evaluation, authorisation and 
restriction processes.

CLP facilitates global trade and improves worker 
and consumer safety by implementing the United 
Nations’ globally harmonised system for the 
classification and labelling and packaging of 
chemicals in the EU.

These regulations put a common system in place to 
ensure a high level of protection for human health 
and the environment in the EU.

What do I have to do?

This depends on your role in the supply chain, how 
hazardous the substances you use are and how you 
use them.

ECHA’s Navigator tool can help you identify what 
applies in your case. 
https://echa.europa.eu/identify-your-obligations

Know your chemicals

Supplying chemicals? - You need to 
collect information to classify, label and 
register the substances you manufacture or 
import and to advise your customers how to 
use them safely. 
https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/registration 
https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/clp/understanding-clp

Using chemicals? - You have to implement 
the risk management advice provided by 
your suppliers or inform them if it is not 
appropriate.
http://echa.europa.eu/downstream

Pay attention to “substances of very 
high concern”

The most hazardous chemicals are placed on 
the list of “substances of very high concern”. 
These chemicals can cause cancer, disrupt 
hormonal systems, accumulate in nature and 
living organisms and cause irreversible effects 
for human health and the environment. 

The list is updated twice a year. Look at:
https://echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table

If your substance is included in this list, it can 
be selected for authorisation, which means 
that you will have to apply for permission to 
continue using it. 

What are the costs?

REACH requires the payment of fees and charges 
to ECHA. The smaller your company, the lower the 
fees and charges. Look at:
 https://echa.europa.eu/sme

Other costs may exceed the fees. These will 
depend on your specific obligations, the need 
to generate or buy data, your choice of using 
consultants or the need/decision to find safer 
chemicals in place of hazardous ones.

What about information and 
help?

Use ECHA’s website as a source of news, guidance, 
answers to questions and support. 
https://echa.europa.eu/subscribe

Legal terminology and key information for 
companies is provided in 23 official EU languages. 
https://echa-term.echa.europa.eu/

You can also search ECHA’s website for 
information on the properties, classification and 
safe use of chemicals on the EU market.

Contact:
•  Your suppliers and customers regarding 

specific substances or products;

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•  Your industry organisation for sector specific 

advice and information;

•  Your national REACH and CLP helpdesk for 

questions on compliance;

•  ECHA’s Helpdesk for support with the tools you 

have to use.
https://echa.europa.eu/support

What does this mean?

Does it apply to my business?

Free movement of chemicals
The same rules apply to all companies in the EU.

Does your company:

No data, no market
Manufacturing, importing, marketing and using 
non-registered substances is illegal. This applies 
to substances on their own or in mixtures.

Communication in the supply chain
Every actor in the supply chain has a role to ensure 
communication of the hazardous properties 
and the safe use of chemicals: manufacturers, 
importers, formulators, distributors and retailers. 
https://echa.europa.eu/communication-in-the-supply-
chain

Consumers have the right to ask and receive 
information if their products contain substances of 
very high concern for their health and the environment.

Gain business advantage

REACH and CLP are designed to promote 
substitution of the most hazardous chemicals. 
You can turn legal obligations into business 
opportunities by moving away from these 
substances at an early stage.

Based on the information you have on the 
substances you manufacture, import or use, 
can you find a safer alternative ahead of your 
competitors and gain a business advantage?

Respond to ECHA’s public consultations if you 
have developed or use alternatives to substances 
of very high concern. 
https://echa.europa.eu/public-consultations

Formulate chemical 
mixtures?

e.g. dyes, motor oils, 
soaps and detergents

Manufacture or import 
chemical substances or 
mixtures?

eg. acetone, phenol, 
paints, lubricants

Chemical safety and 
your business

Manufacture or import 
consumer articles?

eg. furniture, clothing, 
electrical appliances

Use chemicals?

e.g. for coating or 
cleaning

If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes”, 
this leaflet is for you.

It is about your rights and responsibilities 
under REACH and CLP, which apply to all 
industrial sectors and to all companies dealing 
with chemicals in the European Union, Iceland, 
Liechtenstein and Norway.

Complying with the legal requirements will help 
you to manage chemical risks in your business and 
to play your part in the protection of human health 
and the environment.

You will be able to respond to the expectations of 
your customers for safer chemicals and products, 
which can also enhance your brand.

Start at: https://echa.europa.eu/sme

ECHA-17-P-01-EN  

 © European Chemicals Agency, 2018

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged

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