REACH

Joël Decaillon (jdecaillon@etuc.org)
Advisor: Sophie Dupressoir (sdupressoir@etuc.org)
Advisor: Tony Musu (tmusu@etuc.org)
Sec: Hélène Braun (hbraun@etuc.org)
Tel: +32 2 2240580
fax: +32 2 2240454/55

After nearly 10 years of intense debate at EU level, the reform of the EU legislation on chemicals was finally adopted by the European Parliament and Council in December 2006. Under REACH, companies manufacturing or importing chemical substances in quantities of one tonne or more per year will be required to register them to show that they can be used safely. In addition, producers of substances of very high concern (like carcinogens or toxins that accumulate in the environment) will need to obtain authorisation before using or placing them on the market.

A new European Agency based in Helsinki will managed the REACH regulation which entered into force in the 27 EU countries in June 2007.

The ETUC is convinced that this reform will have huge potential benefits, not only for the health of millions of workers exposed to chemicals on a daily basis, but also for Europe’s industrial future.