What is the REACH regulation?
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, known as the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), is the central EU regulation for the registration and regulation of chemicals. It is intended to increase the protection of people and the environment by obliging companies to provide information on the substances they manufacture or use, to provide evidence of their safety and to use only registered substances.
What requirements does REACH impose on manufacturers and processors?
REACH requires that all substances manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities exceeding 1 ton per year be registered and assessed for their risks. The regulation requires the identification of particularly concerning substances (SVHC – Substances of Very High Concern) and can restrict their use or make their use subject to approval. For processors of a raw material, such as manufacturers of Moulded rubber parts, It is relevant that they must check compliance with regulations, adhere to safe usage conditions, and inform their customers about any SVHCs in products. Therefore, REACH certificates are also supplied with all rubber products upon request, which prove which substances are contained in the molded parts.
What does REACH mean for the rubber and plastic industry?
REACH affects the entire supply chain - from raw material manufacturers to processors and end product suppliers. For the rubber and plastics industry, this means, among other things:
- Testing and documentation of chemical ingredients
- No use of prohibited substances
- Safe handling during mixing and processing
- Traceability of supplier information and provision of SVHC notifications if limit values are exceeded
