What is UK REACH?

The EU REACH regulation was incorporated into UK law on January 1, 2021, and is now in effect under the name UK REACH. UK REACH upholds the objectives and principles of the EU REACH regulation. UK REACH and EU REACH operate independently of each other. The scope of the REACH regulation is extensive.

What is UK REACH:

The EU REACH regulation was incorporated into UK law on January 1, 2021, and is now implemented as UK REACH. This was triggered by the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which replicated EU legislation in the UK with necessary modifications to make it operational in the domestic environment. The key principles of the EU REACH regulation have been retained. UK REACH maintains the objectives and principles of EU REACH.

UK REACH and EU REACH regulations operate independently of each other. Companies that supply or purchase substances, mixtures, or articles to/from the EU/European Economic Area/Northern Ireland and the UK (England, Scotland, and Wales) need to ensure compliance with the relevant obligations under both pieces of legislation.

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU REACH regulation continues to apply to Northern Ireland, while UK REACH provides the regulatory framework for chemicals in the UK.

Scope of REACH Products:

The scope of the REACH regulation is broad. It covers almost all commercial products except for food, feed, and pharmaceuticals.

This includes chemicals, alloys, plastics, semi-finished products, accessories, toys, furniture, cosmetics, stationery, pigments, paints, adhesives, and cleaning products, textiles and clothing, footwear, leather goods and accessories, electronic and electrical products, and other household goods, as well as leisure and sports products, etc.

Differences Between EU REACH and UK REACH:

1. UK REACH updates to SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) and Annex 17 are slower compared to the EU.

2. The UK SVHC list has only been updated to the 23rd batch, while the EU has updated it to the 27th batch.

3. The biggest difference between the UK and EU in Annex 17 concerning finished products is Article 68. The UK still retains the requirements for PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), while the EU has replaced PFOA with PFCA (C9-C14).