Policy Priorities / chemicals policy

REACH Revision

How REACH works today

The REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is the EU’s central framework for the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. It places responsibility on companies to assess and manage the risks associated with substances they manufacture or use, and to communicate safe-use information throughout the supply chain.

REACH relies on effective upstream–downstream communication, enabling downstream users such as formulators of detergents and cleaning products to safely use substances based on exposure scenarios, safety data sheets and agreed conditions of use.

What is changing

The European Commission confirmed that there will be no full REACH revision and that current discussions point towards targeted updates and implementation measures rather than reopening the Regulation as a whole. A.I.S.E.’s policy priorities note that targeted updates to the Annexes are expected and that the focus is now on ensuring predictability, proportionality and a clear regulatory roadmap.

Industry perspective and Detergents Europe’s work

Detergents Europe contributes to REACH-related discussions by providing evidence on how the framework works in practice for downstream users and by highlighting the importance of strong supply-chain communication. This includes the need for workable safety data sheets, realistic information flows and proportionate requirements that preserve access to essential substances for formulators.

From an industry perspective, any future changes should build on existing risk-based mechanisms, reinforce supply-chain communication and avoid unintended impacts on essential products, innovation and SMEs.