REACH is a major reform of EU chemicals policy, affecting all global supply chains that produce and use chemicals.

The first business relevant deadline is on June 1st, 2008 when pre-registration starts. REACH was adopted in December 2006 and entered into force in June 2007 in the 27 member states of the EU.

For more information on REACH basics, please see our brochure for exporters that is linked in the "EU Brochures" section of this page.

This webpage is for U.S. exporters to Europe, particularly SMEs, to inform them about requirements under REACH and to help them prepare for compliance. This webpage includes official EU documents and U.S. government reports, and a list of business service providers offering consulting or legal advice for REACH compliance.

New!

16 Substances identified for the 1st Candidate List
See ECHA press release of June 30, 2008 (third paragraph).

Newly Adopted Testing Methods for REACH, click here (pdf document).

Pre-registration starts on 1 June 2008. Please refer to the European Chemicals Agency Pre-Registration homepage.

Guidance on Substances in Articles. Click here for more information.

New guidance on Only Representatives published. Please see Section 1.5.3.4 on pp. 21-24 of this guidance document published by the European Chemicals Agency.

Looking for an Only Representative? Check our list of Business Service and Solution Providers.

Upcoming REACH seminars for U.S. companies. For information on times and locations, click here.

IT support software. For software tools to help your business prepare for or comply with REACH, click here. 

SME Portal

Who qualifies as an SME for the purposes of REACH compliance? The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of businesses employing fewer than 250 persons and having annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro. For further information on the EU definition of an SME, please consult the SME User Guide.

Information on the fees linked to the REACH Regulation. Fees are charged when chemicals are submitted for authorization, when they are initially registered, when updates are made to the registry, and under certain other circumstances. Click here for a link to the official document outlining REACH fees, including fee reductions for SMEs.  

REACH-Key Documents and Resources:

REACH Regulation text: Click here to view the full version of the REACH Regulation.

REACH Fee Regulation: Click here for an overview of the registration fees for chemicals affected by REACH.  

Guidance Documents: The latest versions of REACH Guidance Documents can be found on the European Chemicals Agency's website.

Candidate List
Timing for publication of the Candidate List 
Draft Guidance on Authorization 

Newly Adopted Testing Methods for REACH, click here (pdf document).

EU Brochures

The REACH FAQs have been updated. To view the latest version, please click here.

For the most complete and up-to-date information and helpful tools regarding REACH, please refer to the European Chemicals Agency website.

Information for exporters to the EU. This commission leaflet includes good information on what U.S. exporters should know about REACH. 

US Sources of Information

REACH Contacts across the EU. For a list of U.S. Commercial Service personnel who handle REACH-related inquiries, please click here.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Toxic Substances Control Act page and Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling page.

ANSI: American National Standards Institute 

REACH Service and Solution Providers:

Service and Solution Providers offering consulting for REACH issues.

REACH Help Desks:

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA):
The REACH helpdesk in the European Chemicals Agency is available for more information.

National helpdesks:
The European Chemical Agency is maintaining a list of National Help desks.

DG Enterprise:  The Directorate General of Enterprise & Industry REACH webpage is available here.

DG Environment: The Directorate General for the Environment REACH webpage is available here.

Contact Information:

If you have additional questions not covered on this website, please send an email to the following address: Brussels.EC.Office.Box@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov and reference "REACH Inquiry" in the subject line. One of our specialists will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Links to web sites outside the U.S. Government or the use of trade, firm, or corporation names within U.S. Commercial Service web sites are for the convenience of the user. Such links and use do not constitute an express or implied official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Commerce of any private sector web site, or of the products or services of specifically identified companies or entities.