Monday, December 29, 2008

How to prepare General Conformity Certification?

The contents of General Conformity of Certificate of a product must include the following information.
  • Identification of the product covered by the certificate,
  • Citation to each CPSC product safety regulation to which product is being certified,
  • Identification of the importer or domestic manufacturer certifying compliance including manufacturer's name, full address and telephone number,
  • Contact information for the individual responsible for maintaining test records including the name, email address, full address and telephone number,
  • Date and place where the product was manufactured,
  • Date and place where the product was tested for compliance with the regulation(s) cited above,
  • Identification of any third-party laboratory on whose testing the certificate depends including name, full address and telephone number.


Remarks:

  • One Certificate can be used for each product but must list separately each safety rule applicable to the product.
  • One Certificate can include compliance with both general conformity and third-party testing requirements.
  • Third-party testing requirements are effective 90 days after the CPSC establishes and publishes the accreditation requirements for third-party laboratories.
  • CPSC has stated that laboratories are NOT allowed to issue certificates for final products.
  • Cerificates must be specified in English.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Certificate of Conformity is required for all garments under CPSIA


From now on, both importers and US domestic manufactuers are required to issue a certificate stating that their product complies with all bans, standards or regulations enforced by the CPSC.

But what are the tests required on conformity certificates for Apparel and Textile Products?

Plesase kindly see the below guidelines or consult to 3rd party testing laboratories.
____________________________________________________________
Regulations
Children's Product Only
- Lead in Paint - 16 CFR 1303
* Applied to all children's items with scrapable surface coatings or paints
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on 22 Dec, 2008
(Please check with previous post for detail information)

- Small Parts - 16 CFR 1501
* Applied to children's items by age
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on 16 Feb, 2009

- Children's Sleepwear Flammability - 16CFR 1615/1616
* Applied to all children's sleepwear except tightfitting or size 0-9 month
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

- Sharp Points / Sharp Edges - 16 CFR1500.48 & 49
* Applied to children's items by age (age 8 and under)
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

- Lead Content in Substances - CPSIA Section 101
* Applied to all substances in individual children's products (include textile materials)
* GCC required on 10 Feb, 2009
* 3rd testing required on Aug, 2009
(Please check with previous post for detail information)

- Phthalates - CPSIA Section 108
* Applied to toys and childcare articles that include sleepwear
* GCC required on 10 Feb, 2009
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009
(Please check with previous post for detail information)

Children's and Adult's Product
- Wearing Apparel Flammability - 16 CFR 1610
* Applied to textile materials except some exemption from testing by weight or fiber content
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

- Flammability of Carpets and Rugs - 16 CFR 1630 & 1631
* Applied to small and large capets and rugs
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

- Flammability of Mattress Pads - 16 CFR 1632
* Applied to mattress pads and mattresses
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

- Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets - 16 CFR 1633
* Applied to mattresses and box springs
* GCC required on 12 Nov, 2008
* 3rd testing required on Sep, 2009

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Posting Ad Here

Can I promote my company in the blog?

Yes, you can post the ad on this heading area that it can attract many visitors to view your company. You just place your company logo or picture on it and it will be linked to your company website when visitor click on it. It is reasonable price and flexible posting by weekly or monthly.


Can I submit the information of my product in the blog?

Yes, but it will be reviwed before posted. Once approved, it will be written as one post under the label "Promotion". The post will not be deleted and you just pay once for it.



How can I pay for posting ad?

Paypal is accepted.











How can I do for next step?

Just send the message and contact us now.







Friday, December 19, 2008

Organic Cotton is different...Vs Conventional Cotton

By choosing organically grown cotton, you can recap all the benefits of cotton's beauty, comfort, and strength while minimizing harm to people and the plant. In generally, there are five aspects (Seed Preparation, Soil & Water, Weed Control, Pest Control and Harvesting), which are different between Organic cotton and Conventional cotton.

Seed Preparation



Organic
- Use Untreated seeds.
- Never uses GMO (Genetically modified organism) seeds.


Conventional
- Typically treats seeds with Fungicides or Insecticides.
- Use GMO seeds for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton.





Soil & Water

Organic
- Builds strong soil through Crop rotation.
- Retains water more efficiently thanks to increased Organic matter in the soil.

Conventional
- Applies Synthetic fertilizers.
- Loss of soil due to predominantly Mono-Crop culture.
- Requires Intensive irrigation.



Weed Control

Organic
- Physical removal rather than chemical destruction.
- Controls weeds through cultivation and Hand hoeing.

Conventional
- Applies Herbicides to soil to inhibit weed germination.
- Repeatedly uses Herbicides to kill weeds that do grow.



Pest Control

Organic
- Maintains a Balance between "pests" and their natural.
- Uses Beneficial insects, biological and culture practices to control pests.
- May use Trap crop, planted to lure insects away from the cotton.

Conventional
- Uses Insecticides heavily, accounting for approximately 25% of world consumption.
- Uses Pesticides; the nine most common are highly toxic; five are probable carcinogens.
- Frequently uses Aerial spraying with potential drift onto farm workers, neighboring wildlife and communities.


Harvesting

Organic
- Relies mostly on the seasonal Freeze for defoliation.
- May stimulate defoliation through Water management.

Conventional
- Defoliates with toxic Chemicals.



Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Do you believe the clothing is made of Organic Cotton?


How do you know clothing is made of organic cotton?

In general, organic cotton can be identified by tag, label, green logo or other mark from an offical certification body qualifying it as certified. So, prior to call the cotton as "organic, it has met stringent stanrards at each stage of production, which from planting, carding, spinning, milling, storage, manufacturing, wholesaling to retailing. It also has met on-site monitoring tests of soil and water, and passed audits at each step.

Internationally, there are no harmful substance standards or single certification for organic cotton among countries that have "organic" regulations. Worldwide there is a confusing array of federal and state government regulations, national certifications, voluntary standards and logos, accreditation systems, and local and privte sector requirements for organic products. In global market, there are some influential organizations are working on supporting organic textiles.

* International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM)
*Organic Trade Association (OTA) in the US
* Soil Association in the UK
* International Association of Natural Textile Industry (IVN) in Germany
* Demeter in Europe and internationally


Is there any regulations for "organic products"?

In the US, the Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program (NOP) regulates what constitutes an "organic product" under the Organic Foods Production Act. In addition, some states such as California, Texas, Oregon, Washington...etc, have their own organic programs with additional requirements.

Under USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) labelling, the garment should state what percent of the product is "organic cotton". The retailer must be able to provide documents to support their claim. This certificaion demonstrates that the cotton has met stringent requirement at each stage of proceeding and was grown using enviromentally-friendly agricultural methods. In order to carry the USDA Organic logo, any product sold in the US, must have been inspected by an agent of the USDA certification program.

Besides, there is no USDA standards for organic textiles, but rather for organic cotton. It is because the regulations apply to the actual cotton, and not the finished cotton textile. So, it is possible that a cotton garment made from 100% certified organic cotton may not be fully "organic" or fully "green", as it could still contain harsh chemical finishes, bleaches or some heavy metal dyes.

In last, product with claimed "organic cotton" with certification that regarding to the process and not to the acutal product. Cotton that met a particular country's certification requirements ia all the "proof" available that the cotton is "organic".

For more information on retailers using organ ic cotton, visit the Organic Consumer marketplace at:

What is Organic Cotton?


Organic Cotton is grown in a manner that strives to reduce or eliminate chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; thus producting a more "environmentally friendly" product. However, there is controversy between conventional cotton growers and organic practitioners as to whose farming practicies promote the greater environmental good.

Organtic cotton growers are perceived as being kinder to the environment because they employ non-chemical farming methods, such as crop rotation and mulching to control weeds, fertilize with organic matter instead of synthetics, make use of beneficial insects for pest control and ban genetically engineered seeds.

Conventional growers contend that by using bio-engineered seeds, synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, they provide greater crop yields than organic framers and thus grow more cotton on less land. Since this spares acreage from being converted into farmland and wastes fewer resources, this would be environmentally sound. They also mention that there is no scientific studies shown that chemical fertilizers are any more harmful to the environment than organic manure runoff.

Whatever organic or conventional growing practices are used, there is increased consumer interest in products that are labeled "Organic", "Eco-Friendly" or "Green". Protecting the environment and achieving sustainable resources for all people, reflects growing awareness of our global interdependence.

The public perception is that chemicals are the bad thing, and it is better to buy natural products that avoid or minimize the use of chemicals. As the green movement gains momentum, consumers are more willing to pay more for goods that they believe are eco-friendly. This explains the appeal of "Organic Cotton" products.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

New US Regulation CPSIA - Part 4 (Certification)

According to CPSIA, section 102, certifications are mandated for all consumer products sold in USA, both imported and domestic that are subjected to any of the other ACTS for which the CPSC has jurisdiction.

General Conformity Cerification (for any Consumer Products)
Consumer products are defined as any product that is used in residence, school, or for recreational or personal use. The general conformity certification (GCC) is an amendment of paragraph (1) of section 14(a)(15 U.S.C. 2063(a). It is required for all consumer products subject to CPSA bans as well as standards, or to any similar rules, such as Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) and Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA).

For Flammable Fabrics Act, the requirements for clothing textiles, 16C.F.R. Part 1610, wearing apparel includes any costume or article of clothing that people wear. The standard applies to all textiles used in adult and children's wearing apparel. Most children's sleepwear must also meet more stringent flammability requireent (16 C.F.R. Part 1615 & 1616). Most hats, gloves, footwear, and fabrics used between the linings and other fabrics of garments are not required to meet this standard.

A certifictae shall certify, based on "a test of each product or upon a reasonable testing program"; and specify that the product meets all applicable CPSC requirements. Certification will be required for products that are manufactured on or after Novemeber 12, 2008. You can consult to the testing laboratory for test suggestion.


Certification of children's Products
Certification of children's products imposes an additional third-party testing requirement for consumer products primarily intended for children that are 12 or younger. Each children's product in the following categories that is manufactured more than 90 days after that date (when CPSC publishes accreditation procedure) must be tested at a CPSC accredited thrid party laboratory and certified to the applicable requirements.

  • Lead Paint, 16 CFR Part 130 (effective date 12/21/2008)
  • Full-Size Cribs, 16 CFR Part 1508 (effective date 01/20/2009)
  • Non Full-Size Cribs, 16 CFR Part 1509 (effective date 01/20/2009)
  • Pacifiers, 16 CFR Part 1511 (effective date 01/20/2009)
  • Small Parts Rule, 16 CFR Part 1501 (effective date 02/15/2009)
You can check the below site for further information about accredited laboratories by CPSC.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/labapplist.aspx

Certificates must "accompany" each product or shipment of products covered by the same certificate. This may not include certian products are imported for testing, for trade shows or for re-export, etc. In addition, the responsibilities of issuing certificates are the importers in the case of products manufactured outside the US and the domestic manufacturer in the case of products manufactured in the US. Test laboratories cannot issue certificates.

What is SVHC? - Part 2


The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has included 15 substances of very high concern (SVHC) in the ‘CandidateList’ now published on the ECHA website.

The below are the possible applications of those 15 SVHCs:
Triethylarsenate (CAS. 427-700-2)
• Plastic/PVC products
• Glass goods (window glass, crystal, lead glass)
• Glass beads for road markings
• Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
• Textiles and Cosmetics
• Wood preservative & pesticides

Anthracene (CAS. 204-371-1)
• Manufacture of pyrotechnic products deployed in film and theatre productions as a component of black smoke.
• As contaminant in plasticiser oils or black pigments
• Intermediate of anthraquinone, used in dye production or wood pulp production.

4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) (CAS. 202-974-4)
• Intermediate for manufacture of high-performancepolymers
• Intermediate for final production of polyurethanes.
• Hardeners for epoxy resins and adhesives.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (CAS. 201-557-4)
• Plasticizer synthetic resins and polymers (mainly PVC) or called "Phthalates"
• Used in printing inks, adhesives, sealants/groutingagents, nitrocellulose paints, film coatings and glass fibres.
Cobalt dichloride (CAS. 231-589-4)
• Additive in rubber production
• Drying agent in paints, varnish, ink
• Humidity indicator for hydrometers/barometers etc.
• Vitamins B12 manufacture
• Dye mordant in painted glass
• Invisible inks
• Gas absorber
• Electroplating (jewellery, buckles)
• Lubricant in cutting tools
• Production of non-ferrous metals (Especially Nickel)

Diarsenic pentaoxide (CAS. 215-116-9)
• Used in Dyeing industry
• Metallurgy (harden copper, lead, gold),
• Special glasses
• Wood preservative

Diarsenic trioxide (CAS. 215-481-4)
• Decolorizing agent for glass and enamels
• Glass and lead crystal
• Wood preservative

Sodium dichromate (CAS. 234-190-3) (7789-12-0 and 10588-01-9)
• Coloured glass and ceramic glazes
• Essential oil and perfumes manufacture
• Manufacture of other chromium compounds or pigments;
• Metal finishing for corrosion resistance
• Mordant in dyeing
• Vitamin K manufacture

5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene (musk xylene)
(CAS. 201-329-4)
• Fragrance applied in:
- Cosmetic products
- Detergents, fabric softeners, household cleaning products etc.

Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (CAS. 204-211-0)
• Plasticizer in polymer products, mainly in PVC, or called "Phthalates"
• PVC used in many different articles
- plastic toys
- building materials such as flooring, cables, profiles and roofs
- medical products (such as blood bags and dialysis equipment).

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (CAS. 247-148-4 and 221-695-9);
and all major diastereoisomers identified: (α – HBCDD, β-HBCDD, γ-HBCDD)
(CAS. 134237-50-6) (CAS. 134237-51-7) (CAS. 134237-52-8)
• Flame retardant; mainly in polystyrene.
• Flame-retardant applied in textiles and E&E products.

Alkanes, C10-13, chloro (Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins)
(CAS. 287-476-5)
• Flame retardants in textiles and rubber
• Paints, sealants and adhesives

Bis(tributyltin)oxide (TBTO) (CAS. 200-268-0)
• Biocide of anti-fouling paint applied for ships and leisure boats
• Coating of upholstery textiles in backing
• Polyurethane foam and other polymers used in flooring, tiles & carpeting
• Treatment of feather and down

Lead hydrogenarsenate (CAS. 232-064-2)
• Plastic/PVC products
• Glass goods (window glass, crystal, lead glass)
• Glass beads for road markings
• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Textiles and Cosmetics
• Wood preservative & pesticides
• Also applied in sealants, adhesives, paints, inks and lacquers

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (CAS. 201-622-7)
• Plasticizer in PVC products (or called "Phthalates"), mainly flooring
• Also applied in sealants, adhesives, paints, inks and lacquers


For more details, please kindly check with chemical suppliers and its Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Sunday, December 14, 2008

New US Regulation CPSIA - Part 3 (Phthalates)


Apart from the Lead ban, the prohibition of Phthalates is one of new requirements in the CPSIA. Mandatory and interim bans on phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP are permanently banned and DINP, DIDP, DNOP are banned on an interim) applied in toys for children and childcare articles.

"Children's Toys" are defined as "a consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer for a child up to age 12 for use by the child when the child plays".

"Child Care Articles" are defined as "a consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer to facilitate sleep or the feeding of children age 3 and younger, or to help such children with sucking or teething".



Phthalates ban (Sec. 108)
___________________________________________________________
Group 1 (DEHP, DBP, BBP) [Permanent Ban]
Scope: Toys for children up to age 12 or childcare articles up to age 3
DEHP <= 0.1%
DBP <= 0.1%
BBP <= 0.1%

Group 2 (DIDP, DINP, DNOP) [Interim Ban]
Scope: Toys for children up to age 12 that can be placed in the mouth* or childcare articles up to age 3
DIDP <= 0.1%

DINP <= 0.1%
DNOP <= 0.1%
___________________________________________________________

* Remark:
"Placed in the mouth" is defined if a toy or a part of a toy in one dimension is smaller than 5cm. If the children's product can only be licked, it is not regarded as able to be placed in the mouth.


** Effective Date on 10 Feb, 2009

New US Regulation CPSIA - Part 2 (Lead)


Under the Consumer Product safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, new chemical substance requirements were enacted on 14 August, 2008. Lead containing paint and lead in substrates are banned in all children's products in order to prevent children from being poisoned from eating or licking any lead-containing products.


Lead ban (Sec. 101): __________________________________________________

A. Total substrate of products for children up to age 12
<=600ppm (Effective date on 10 Feb,2009)
<= 300ppm (Effective date on 14 Aug,2009)
<= 100ppm (Effective date on 14 Aug,2011)

B. Lead in Paint / Surface Coating
<= 600ppm (Crrent)
<= 90ppm (Effective date on 14 Aug, 2009)
__________________________________________________


Remarks:
1. Total substance excludes any component part of a children's product that is not accessible to be a child through normal and reasonably foreseeable use and abuse of such product.
2. Reasonably foreseeable use and abuse is including, swallowing, breaking, mouthing, or other children's activities, and the aging of the product.
3. Paint, coating or electroplating are not barriers to be the substrate being inaccessible as these substances will peal off or ageing from the total substrate.


For more understanding about Lead poisoning:

New US Regulation CPSIA - Part 1


On August 2008, President George W. Bush of the United States signed a landmark legislation 'Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 (HR 4040)', to reauthorise the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for FY 2010-2014 and expanded the Commision's role in ensuring the safety of consumer products, especially those intended for children. The aim of this act is to protect th American public from unresonable risks of injiry and dealth posed by consumer products and is in response to a wave of recalls of "toxic toys" and other products.

The act directs CPSC to provide guidance on implementation specific provisions as per schedule mndated in the CPSIA legislation. To further address he requirements for the GCC (General Certificate of Conformity), the CPSC has published a final rule for such requirements.


For new requirements under CPSIA, please kindly see the further parts of this topic.



For more detail about:
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)




What is REACH? - Part 2

According to REACH, there are divided into three product categories.

Product Categories
1. Substance
Substance means a chemical element and its compound in the natural state or obtained by any manufacturing process, including any additive necessary to preserve its stability and any impurity deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without effecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition.
(eg. Chromium Sulphate, ethanol)

2. Substance in Preparation
Preparatin means a mixture or solution composed of two or more substances.
(eg. Paint, Shoes cream)

3. Substance in Article
Article means an object which during production is given a special shape, surfce or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition.
(eg. Garment, Pen)



Manufacturer or Importer Obligation to register by different product categories
For product categories: #1 and #2
REGISTRATION required if:
- Substance or substance in Preparation >= 1 tonne per year per manufacturer or importer

For product categories: #3
REGISTRATION required if:
- substance in article is intented to be released under normal and foreseeable conditions of use, and
- substance in Article >= 1 tonne per year per manufacturer or importer

For substances in Artiles classified as SVHC,
NOTIFICATION is required if:
- substance >= 1 tonne per year, and
- substance present in those articles above a concentrtion of 0.1% weight by weight



Documents Requirement
Registration Dossier:
1. Technical Dossier
(for substances >= 1 t/y):
- Identification of registrant ans substance, manufacture and use, classification and lbelling (Safety Data Sheet), proposals for testing...etc


2. Chemical Safety Report (CSR)
(for substances >=10 t/y):
- Chemical Safety Assessment (CSA)
- If classified as SVHC, add:
* Exposure assessment
* Risk characterization

Documents for Notification
- Company identification
- Registration number (if available)
- Substance name and classification
- description of the uses of the substance in articles
- Tonnage range of the substance

Saturday, December 13, 2008

What are SVHCs? - Part 1

What is SVHC?

SVHC is the short term of Substances of Very High Concern

SVHC include substances which are:
• Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to Reproduction (CMR), meeting the criteria for classification in category 1 or 2 in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC,
• Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB) according to the criteria in Annex XIII of the REACH Regulation, and/or
• Identified, on a case-by-case basis, from scientific evidence as causing probable serious effects to human health or the environment of an equivalent level of concern as those above (e.g. endocrine disrupters).

The inclusion of a substance in the Candidate List is solely based on the specific intrinsic hazardous properties of the substance (as described by Article 57 of REACH). Since the proposal is a dynamic and ongoing process the candidate list is subject to change in the future.

What is the current list?

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has included 15 substances of very high concern (SVHC) in the ‘Candidate List’ now published on the ECHA website. Companies are encouraged to check potential duties because once substances are officially published on the candidate list they are immediately subject to certain REACH requirements including “Information in the Supply Chain” for substances, preparations, and particularly, articles. Since the proposal is a dynamic and ongoing process the candidate list is subject to change in the future.



1. Triethyl arsenate
- EC (CAS no.) 427-700-2
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic

2. Anthracene
- EC (CAS no.) 204-371-1
- Reason for inclusion: PBT

3. 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA)

- EC (CAS no.) 202-974-4
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic


4. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- EC (CAS no.) 201-557-4
- Reason for inclusion: Toxic to reproduction


5. Cobalt dichloride
- EC (CAS no.) 231-589-4
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic


6. Diarsenic pentaoxide
- EC (CAS no.) 215-116-9
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic


7. Diarsenic trioxide
- EC (CAS no.) 215-481-4
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic


8. Sodium dichromate
- EC (CAS no.) 234-190-3 (7789-12-0 and 10588-01-9)
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Toxic to reproduction


9. 5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene(musk xylene)
- EC (CAS no.) 201-329-4
- Reason for inclusion: vPvB


10. Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- EC (CAS no.) 204-211-0
- Reason for inclusion: Toxic to reproduction


11. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and all major diastereoisomers identified: (α – HBCDD, β-HBCDD, γ-HBCDD)
- EC (CAS no.) 247-148-4 and 221-695-9 (134237-50-6) (134237-51-7) (134237-52-8)
- Reason for inclusion: PBT


12. Alkanes, C10-13, chloro (Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins)
- EC (CAS no.) 287-476-5
- Reason for inclusion: PBT and vPvB


13. Bis(tributyltin)oxide (TBTO)
- EC (CAS no.) 200-268-0
- Reason for inclusion: PBT


14. Lead hydrogenarsenate
- EC (CAS no.) 232-064-2
- Reason for inclusion: Carcinogenic and Toxic to reproduction


15. Benzyl butylphthalate (BBP)
- EC (CAS no.) 201-622-7
- Reason for inclusion: Toxic to reproduction



* To see "What are SVHCs? - Part 2" for the applications of above 15 SVHCs.

You can download each dossiers from ECHA website.

What is REACH? - Part 1

REACH - Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, which is the new EU regulation on chemicals. REACH has entered into force since 1 June 2007 without any adoption of national law.

The Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 Decemeber 2006 concerning th Registration, Evluation, Authorization and Restriction of chemicals (REACH) and Directive 2006/121/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 18 Decemeber 2006 amending council Directive 67/548/EEC were publishing in the Official Journal on 30 Decemeber 2006.

The objective is to improve the protection of human health and the environment. About 30,000 chemical substances in use today will be registered over a period of 11 years.

This process will allow to fill information gaps on the hazards of substances and to identify risk managemnt measures to ensure their safe use.

There are three basic term definitions according to REACH:
- Substances
- Preprations
- Articles

REACH affects Substances, Preparations and Articles in a variety of consumer goods from different sectors: Chemicals, Cosmetics, Electrical and Electronics, Texitle, Toys, Food contact...etc