Is Your New Business REACH Compliant?

The UK economy is getting to its feet, and this is mirrored by the higher than expected growth seen in the predicted 2014 GDP expansion which the BBC has recently reported on.  This, arguably, makes the coming year one of the best to invest in a new business.  One of the most challenging things about doing so is complying with the vast amount of red tape that surrounds a number of different industries – one particular compliance issue being toxicity.  REACH is the piece of legislation which covers this vast area.  So is your new business REACH compliant?

New EU Legislation

As per the European Union’s reemit, it recently delivered a new and significant piece of legislation surrounding the area of toxicology called REACH.  This stands for the Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals.  In other words, its prime concern is to ensure the safety of the environment – and people in it – around chemicals.  So what does this new piece of legislation consist of, and how do you know if your business needs to comply to it?

The Makeup of REACH

REACH shifts the burden of regulation and inspection from the government to the manufacturer or importer of chemicals.  This means that the responsibility for the wellbeing of the people and environment in the vicinity of the chemicals being handled is firmly in the company using them.

Any company, therefore, that handles chemicals within the EU must comply with the standards and regulations set in motion by REACH.  The most fundamental of these is that the physical/toxic effects of the chemicals on the environment must be strictly recorded and submitted, and this ensures that every chemical on the marketplace falls within the health and safety guidelines set out by the EU.  This does not only extend to those who are using chemicals, but also to those manufacturing them, as new compounds must be submitted for inspection in the same way.  The legislation is therefore one size fits all – inclusionary and comprehensive.

Comply and Succeed

Ultimately, if your business deals in the manufacturing or handling of chemicals, it must be REACH compliant.  This means detailing the makeup of the chemicals and their physical and chemical effects on the environment – including people.  If you want your business to remain in operation and are seeking guidance on how to become REACH compliant, speak to a professional such as Bibra – Toxicology Advice & Consulting.