REACH is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the
protection of human health and the environment from the risks that
can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of
the EU chemicals industry. It also promotes alternative methods for
the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number
of tests on animals.
REACH is based upon the principle of "no data, no market" where
chemicals that are manufactured in or imported into the EU at 1
tonne or above per year must be registered with the European
Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The chemicals can be present as single
chemicals (substances on their own), as part of a mixture
(preparation or as substances intended to be released from the
article.
