Applications for authorisation under REACH and the challenges ahead

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will begin to receive the first applications for authorisation in May, thus kicking off the last of the REACH processes. The article presents the actions taken by ECHA over the last two years in clarifying the authorisation process and demystifying any misconceptions. Although, it is too early to assess the impact of authorisation on industry, the Agency stresses that through extensive communication and open interaction with all stakeholders it is possible to ensure that the long-term aim of the REACH Regulation to progressively replace SVHCs with suitable alternatives whilst ensuring the competitiveness of the European industry will be achieved without introducing unwanted disruptions to the functioning of the internal market.