What is REACH?

REACH stands for Registration Evaluation and Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals. It is a single, coherent European chemical control Regulation [(EC) No 1907/2006)] that became law on 01 June 2007 and is a legal instrument in all 27 European Union Member States (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Romania) and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.  Enforcement is the responsibility of each of the member states.

The overall objective of REACH is the safe use of chemicals for man and the environment. The REACH objectives are achieved in a step-by-step process that begins with Registration of chemicals that are placed into commerce in Europe. Registration dossiers are very complex, and contain detailed information on the precise chemical identity of a substance, its physical properties, and the potential adverse effects it may have on man (workers, consumers or the general population) as well as the environment (air, soil and waters). Most importantly, if a substance is hazardous then information must developed and communicated on how the substance can be used safely. Since 2010, more than 6000 substances have been REACH registered by the chemical industry… which includes approximately 130 chemicals registered so far by Lubrizol.

After registration, the substance dossier may be scrutinized by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in a process called Evaluation. Substances that are very dangerous to man or the environment may be deemed 'Substances of Very High Concern' and become subject to Authorization, which requires a permit for that chemical to be used in Europe. The most dangerous chemicals may be banned or highly regulated in a process called Restriction.

REACH  places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to health and the environment, especially substances of very high concern (SVHC) which include CMRs (carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants), PBTs (persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic substances), and vPvB (very persistent, very bio-accumulative substances).

Lubrizol has organized formal REACH Management Teams to evaluate and plan for the impact of REACH on its key businesses.  These global teams are comprised of managers who are experts in product stewardship, R&D, new product development, sales, marketing, operations, supply chain and purchasing.  We continually review the REACH requirements to ensure Lubrizol and our customers remain in compliance and avoid any unnecessary interruption of business. We view this as a long-term project requiring intense work-and have committed the resources to undertake it.

Lubrizol has organized a database of the substances we manufacture and/or import into the EU by legal entity and have pre-registered all eligible substances. Registration of these substances has begun.  Additionally, we have worked with our suppliers to ensure we understand their intent concerning the pre-registration and subsequently the registration of the substances we purchase.  Based on questionnaires and interviews with key suppliers, we are confident that the supplier is risk acceptably low. 

Lubrizol is also an active participant in REACH implementation activities through its industry associations. Further, members of the Lubrizol teams have been sought out as experts to speak at REACH symposia and have been interviewed in respected publications.

This document is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, The Lubrizol Corporation cannot be held liable for any errors in or any reliance upon this information.