REACH And CLP
What is REACH?
REACH is a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaced several European Directives and Regulations with a single, unified system.
REACH Aims
REACH has several key aims:
- To provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
- To make manufacturers and importers responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use.
- To allow the free movement of substances on the EU market.
- To enhance innovation and the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
- To promote the use of alternative methods for assessing the hazardous properties of substances (e.g. QSAR and read-across methods).
What is CLP?
CLP is the European Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation. It sets out a process by which chemical hazards must be communicated in a systematic and logical manner to those who need to be properly informed. CLP complements REACH ΓÇö while REACH identifies risk, CLP communicates the hazard.
ORA Position
The Oil Recycling Association (ORA) is supportive of both the REACH and CLP Regulations.
ORA notes that REACH does not apply to waste materials. However, once a full recovery to an ΓÇ£End of WasteΓÇ¥ position has occurred, the provisions of REACH are likely to apply.
This is a complex technical and legal area, and it is not practical to provide specific case guidance here. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has produced outline guidance.
