The European Union (EU) regulation known as REACH – Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (EC No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006) – places the responsibility on the industry to demonstrate the safety of its products throughout the supply chain.

The primary purpose is to provide a high level of protection to human health and the environment through a single EU regulatory system. Components include:

• Registration: Under REACH, manufacturers and importers of chemicals in volumes of one ton or more per year have to register them at European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki, submitting a large dossier with information on, for example, hazardous properties, animal testing results, uses and safe ways of handling them. Following registration, evaluation takes place through a consultation process involving the member states and, depending on the outcome, restrictions on the use of the substance may be formulated. For certain substances, a ban from the market may result unless an authorization for certain uses has been granted.
• Providing Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Manufacturers, importers and distributors are obliged to provide a SDS to the recipient of the substance or product. The REACH regulation specifies into detail how this should be done.

InTrade Energies & REACH

Many of the products that InTrade Energies sells are subject to the REACH regulation and may only be placed onto the market with a valid REACH registration. It applies, for example, to petroleum substances. InTrade Energies relies on the registrations of the producers and importers who are supplying to us. This approach ensures us that our entire product portfolio has been covered by REACH.

General information on REACH can be found at the following links:

• European Commission
• Petroleum Industry