7. REACH and waste

The European REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals) came into force in the European Union on June 1 2007. REACH aims to improve health and environmental protection, enhance knowledge about chemical substances, promote communication between players in the supply chain, and limit testing on vertebrates by initiating data sharing between manufacturers.

The aim of the REACH regulation is to ensure the control of risks during the various phases in the life cycle of chemical substances. Waste is excluded from the scope of REACH, unless it loses its waste status by entering a recovery process, in which case the recovered substance is fully subject to REACH and its associated obligations.

If the material does not cease to be a waste, it remains subject to waste regulations...