REACH

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) is the new EU (European Union) legislation for chemical substances and their use which is in force since June 1, 2007. This EU legislation regulates crucial aspects of the manufacture and trade of chemical substances, also affecting imports from countries outside the European Union. The regulations of the REACH legislation apply both to substances individually and contained in preparations (formulations) or articles.

Substance in terms of REACH is a chemical element and its compounds in the natural state or obtained by any manufacturing process, including any additive necessary to preserve its stability and any impurity deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition.

Cognis will only purchase substances within the European Union, which are in compliance with the current REACH legislation. This requires in general at least the pre-registration of substances between June 1, 2008 and December 1, 2008. Cognis requests a REACH compliance declaration for each product a vendor supplies. As of December 1, 2008, REACH compliance implies, that all substances contained in each product have been successfully pre-registered, registered or are exempt from registration.

If you require further information, please visit the site of ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).