UK-REACH stands for UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a UK-specific version of the European Union's REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, which outlines procedures for the safe use of chemicals throughout the EU. The UK implemented its own version of this regulation on January 1, 2021, following its departure from the EU.

 

The implementation of UK-REACH requires companies in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that manufacture or import a chemical substance into the UK market to register it with the UK Health and Safety Executive. The HSE will then evaluate the data submitted by companies to determine whether the substance is safe to use and whether it can be placed on the UK market. Companies must meet the same industry standards and requirements mandated under the EU REACH regulation.

 

UK-REACH aims to reduce the potential risks posed by chemicals and ensure their safe use within the UK whilst protecting human health and the environment. It aims to create a level playing field for businesses operating in the UK by ensuring that they all have to comply with the same regulations. UK-REACH is intended to align the UK's chemical regulations with EU REACH to a certain extent in order to ensure the free movement of chemicals between the UK and the EU after Brexit.