REACH testing in a laboratory
Your needs: analyse your chemical substances reliably and comprehensively to prepare your REACH dossiers
What is REACH?
REACH is the European regulation that requires all manufacturers and importers of chemical substances, including mixtures of more than one tonne per year, to register these substances with ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency, based in Helsinki).
The main aim of the European REACH (Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation, which came into force on 1 June 2007, is to improve knowledge of the many chemical substances in circulation. Manufacturers, users and importers of these substances located in the EU must undergo the REACH test.
Sharing information under REACH
The REACH analysis requires manufacturers to identify and assess the risks associated with the production, use and disposal of chemical substances. They must also communicate this information to ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) and to their customers in the supply chain. Compliance with REACH ensures that chemical substances are used safely throughout their life cycle, from production to disposal.
Which substances are concerned?
All substances are covered, including natural substances, organic substances and metals, as well as those used in industrial processes and those found in mixtures or objects. Here are the main categories of substances covered by the REACH analysis for use in the European Union:
- Chemical substances used alone or in mixtures in various industrial processes or consumer products, such as paints, inks, and detergents, or textiles.
- Finished products: objects that contain chemical substances as an integral part of their structure (clothing, furniture, electronic equipment) are concerned. If these articles release chemical substances under certain conditions, these substances must be registered.
- Substances of very high concern (SVHC), including toxicity, carcinogenicity, CMR, PBT and vPvB substances, because of their danger to human health or the environment.
- Substances subject to authorisation or restriction because of their hazardous properties, or requiring specific authorisation for certain uses, or subject to a marketing ban.
- New chemicals: Any new chemical substance placed on the EU market must be registered before it is marketed.
Why carry out a REACH laboratory analysis?
REACH analysis is essential for manufacturers not only to comply with legal requirements, but also to protect human health, preserve the environment, manage risks effectively, encourage innovation and maintain access to the European market. The information collected relates in particular to the physico-chemical properties and toxicological assessment of substances. To obtain and validate this data, a REACH test must be carried out.
This is why it is essential for manufacturers to carry out a REACH analysis:
The FILAB laboratory can help you with the REACH analysis of your substances
For over 30 years, our FILAB laboratory has had the experience and specific analytical equipment to support companies in the analysis of their substances and new materials, through tailor-made assistance.
From REACH analysis to R&D, the FILAB laboratory offers multi-sector expertise to meet a wide range of REACH analysis requirements.
Our REACH analysis services
Analysis of the chemical composition of a substance as part of a REACH dossier
Analysis and dosage of halogens including bromine
Did you know ?
FILAB assists its customers with the development of new chemical formulas, for example CMR substances. For many years now, FILAB has been asked to identify formulas, products or materials that might contain CMR chemical substances according to the REACH definition.
We provide our industrial customers with our R&D skills and experience to enable them to incorporate more effective, environmentally-friendly and safer formulas into their industrial processes.
FAQ
The REACH analysis is important because it is designed to protect human beings and the environment from the risks associated with chemical substances. It makes it possible to:
- Identify chemical substances that may cause health problems or have an impact on the environment, and regulate their safe use.
- Companies to demonstrate the safety of their products: Manufacturers, importers and distributors must provide information on chemical substances to their customers, to ensure the safe treatment, handling and use of these products throughout the supply chain.
- Consumers must have a better understanding of chemical products. REACH analyses oblige companies to provide information on the chemical substances present in their products, enabling consumers to be better informed about potential risks and to make more informed choices.
REACH applies to all companies that produce or import chemicals in quantities exceeding one tonne per year. They must register with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Companies that use chemicals in the course of their business (e.g. chemical manufacturers, production companies, downstream users) must also take measures to ensure the safe use of these chemicals, by complying with the provisions of REACH.
