1. The fundamentals of REACh

Given the limitations of the existing chemical risk assessment and management system, discussions on its overhaul began in 1998. Following the publication of the Commission's white paper and the proposed regulation, a compromise was reached, leading to the adoption of the REACH regulation. This text, together with the CLP Regulation adopted since then, introduces a number of changes and overhauls the policy for managing chemicals in Europe. The REACH Regulation renews the principle of certain previous procedures while sometimes modifying the...