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UK: REACH Regulation after Brexit

Written by Monika Srubarova | Feb 10, 2021 9:45:01 AM

The EU REACH Regulation was brought into UK law on 1 January 2021 and is known as UK REACH.

Companies supplying or purchasing substances, mixtures or articles to and from European Union, European Economic Area, Northern Ireland and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) must now ensure to meet the relevant duties under both UK and EU REACH.

There may be actions needed in order to maintain or gain access to these markets. Substances, on their own or in mixtures that are manufactured in or imported into the UK in quantities equal or greater than 1 tonne per year, will need to be registered with the UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE) because UK is no longer seeking affiliation with ECHA.

While UK REACH is mirroring the EU REACH Regulation in many aspects, they operate independently from each other. This means that if companies are trading in both the EU and the UK they will have two comply not only with EU REACH but also UK REACH obligations after 1 January 2020 and therefore fulfil requirements on both sites of channel.

Please be aware that EU REACH Regulation is not the only environmental, product-related regulation affected by Brexit. All other UK legislation including EU-like regulations (RoHS, POPs, CLP, Biocides, ...) has to be taken into consideration as well.