REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 — Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
Topic : Chemicals · Level : Regional
Today
In force. On 27 Apr 2026 the Commission dropped the full REACH revision; targeted annex changes and simplification instead.
Summary
REACH requires registration of chemicals made or imported in the EU and controls hazardous substances in products. The Commission dropped its full revision in April 2026 and favours targeted annex changes.
Who is concerned
- Turnover
- non précisé
- Employees
- non précisé
- Listed company
- non précisé
- Sectors
- Chemicals
- All article makers/importers
- Triggering activities
- Making/importing a substance ≥1 t/yr
- Articles with SVHC >0.1% w/w
- Using restricted substances (Annex XVII)
- Extraterritorial reach
- Yes
Non-EU makers register via an Only Representative; importers must know SVHC content of articles.
- Examples
- EU importer of Chinese textiles and footwear
- Chemical distributor importing solvents
- Electronics importer (SVHC in cables)
What the law requires
- Register substances made or imported at 1 t/yr or more with ECHA
- Inform customers and notify SCIP if articles contain SVHC above 0.1% w/w
- Respect Annex XVII restrictions and Annex XIV authorisations
- Provide safety data sheets down the supply chain
Penalties
Set by Member States (Art. 126); fines and, in several countries, criminal penalties.
What this changes for a supplier in China
Chinese exporters must declare SVHC content and meet restrictions (PAHs, phthalates, PFAS uses). Many EU buyers demand test reports per shipment.
Expected evidence
- SVHC declaration vs latest Candidate List
- Accredited lab test reports
- Safety data sheets (EU format)
Tiers : Tier 1-2