REACH - The new European Chemicals Law

REACH is the new European Chemicals Law and stands for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals.

REACH came into force on June 1, 2007 and replaces the previous chemical legislation in the European Union (EU). The main aims of REACH are to ensure the high level of protection of human health and the environment. The legislator also wishes to promote alternative test methods and strengthen the innovativeness and competitiveness of the EU. BASF supports these goals without reservations.

Under REACH, the manufacturer and/or importer bears more responsibility than before for evaluating the use specific risk presented by chemicals and for providing users with pertinent safety information. Tips for a better understanding of the extended safety data sheets under REACH are provided here.

Under REACH, BASF assumes the roles of manufacturer, importer and downstream user. As a manufacturer of chemicals, BASF will have the substances of its product portfolio registered as stipulated by REACH and submit the dossier required for this to the European Chemicals Authority Agency (ECHA). For this purpose, it will cooperate closely with its customers and support them as far as possible. This is already established practice at BASF.