REACH Directive

The REACH Registration (EC 1907/2006) is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use. It deals with the (R)egistration, (E)valuation, (A)uthorization and Restriction of (CH)emical substances. The new law entered into force on 1 June 2007.

Under the REACH Directive, an article is an object with a specially produced shape, surface or design, which is more important to the object's normal function than the chemical it contains (Article 3(3)). The REACH Implementation Project 3.8 (RIP 3.8) exempts substances in articles. Under the EU REACH guidance on articles, such products as coils, extrusions, rod and bar are considered articles. Therefore, the substances in these semi-fabricated products and the products produced from them are articles and the manufactuer or importer need not register them.

In addition, the REACH Directive did not change the current EU chemical regulatory approach to substances in articles, and will not impact articles related to Directives 2002/95/EC (RoHS), 202/96/EC
(WEEE), and 200/53/EC (ELV). Note that brass rod is also exempt from the 2002/95/EC (RoHS), 202/96/EC (WEEE) Directives.

Additional REACH Information and Downloads

• REACH Overview.pdf
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) www.echa.europa.eu