REACH Regulation

regulation

European Union regulation requiring Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of CHemicals to ensure safe use of chemical substances in products including plastics and polymers.

In Simple Terms

REACH is the EU's comprehensive chemical safety law that requires companies to register, evaluate, and safely use chemical substances. For plastic resin traders, this means ensuring all polymer materials and additives comply with REACH requirements before selling into European markets.

Why It Matters

REACH compliance is mandatory for accessing EU markets, affecting resin selection, supplier qualification, and documentation requirements. Non-compliance can result in market access denial, legal penalties, and supply chain disruptions for polymer trading companies.

Technical Details

REACH applies to substances manufactured or imported in quantities ≥1 ton per year. Polymers are generally exempt, but monomers and additives require registration. Companies must maintain Safety Data Sheets, conduct chemical safety assessments for substances >10 tons/year, and monitor Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list updates.

Real-World Examples

Importing HDPE resin with antioxidant additives

Trader must verify that all antioxidant additives are REACH-registered and obtain updated Safety Data Sheets before importing into EU markets.

Sourcing flame-retardant polycarbonate grades

Must check if flame retardant additives appear on SVHC candidate list and ensure proper authorization if restricted under REACH Annex XIV.

Qualifying new Asian PVC supplier

Requires documentation proving all PVC stabilizers and processing aids comply with REACH registration requirements before establishing supply agreement.