Reaching for harmony

REACH is the European Community's composite regulation administered by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), based in Helsinki, Finland. ECHA both coordinates and enforces regulations as potentially dangerous chemicals cross state boundaries. REACH ask for the development of a database of dangerous chemicals, for substitution of less dangerous alternatives whenever possible and for tight controls on hazardous products. REACH aimed at protecting human health and the environment, maintenance and enhancement of the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry, and prevention of fragmentation of the internal market increased transparency. ECHA is charged with classifying chemical substances to carefully regulate those that are dangerous, to require pre-authorization of chemicals found to be particularly hazardous, and to establish a useable database to register and manage all chemical substances. REACH makes an effective and efficient effort at integrating regulatory requirements for potentially hazardous chemical substances with the EU.