EU - Proposed Initiative on Revising the REACH Regulation
The European Green Deal sets out the ambition to reach zero pollution for a toxic-free environment. As part of this ambition, the chemical strategy for sustainability announces actions to better protect people and the environment against hazardous chemicals and to encourage innovation to develop safe and sustainable alternatives.
The proposed options to revise the REACH Regulation are as follows:
- Revision of the registration requirements: increased information on hazards of concern, documentation of safe use, registration of certain polymers, and information on the environmental footprint
- Introduction of a Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF): Option for addressing the risks of exposure to several substances (combination effects) by introducing one of more MAFs in Annex I will be analyzed
- Simplifying communication in the supply chains: improving safety data sheets (SDS) (information for downstream companies and workers on chemical risks and protective measures) will be assessed, including in particular harmonized electronic formats
- Revision of the provisions of dossier and substance evaluation: the possibility to revoke registration numbers for non-compliant registrations and to allow authorities to commission tests to obtain hazard information
- Reforming the authorization process: clarifications and simplifications of the current provisions, national authorization for smaller applications, removing the authorization title from REACH, integrating the REACH authorization and restriction systems into one and improving the interface with other pieces of legislation (complementing actions under the one-substance one-assessment action under the Chemicals Strategy)
- Reforming the restriction process:
a) extending the generic risk approach to restrictions to endocrine disruptors, PBT/vPvB substances, immunotoxicants, neurotoxicants, respiratory sensitizers and substances that affect specific organs;
b) extending the generic risks approach to products marketed for professional use; and
c) operationalizing the concept of essential use in restrictions, including the criteria for granting derogations
- Revision of provisions for control and enforcement: establishing minimum requirements for national controls and enforcement, including stricter border controls and establishing a European Audit Capacity to audit Member State enforcement
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Published Initiatives