The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation is an important piece of legislation that affects the manufacture and use of chemicals within the European Union (EU). The regulation aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment by ensuring that chemical substances are properly evaluated and managed.
One of the key requirements of REACH is that companies must register the chemicals they produce or import with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This allows the ECHA to gather information on the properties and potential hazards of these substances, as well as any measures that need to be taken to protect human health and the environment.
In order to ensure compliance with REACH, companies need to have a thorough understanding of the regulation and its requirements. This can be challenging, given the complex nature of the legislation and the potential risks associated with non-compliance.
Here are five top REACH non-compliance risks for brands:
Financial penalties: The ECHA has the power to impose financial penalties on companies that fail to comply with REACH. These penalties can be significant, ranging from a few thousand euros for minor offenses to several million euros for more serious breaches.
Reputational damage: Non-compliance with REACH can damage a company's reputation, particularly if the company is seen to be putting human health and the environment at risk. This can lead to a loss of trust and confidence among consumers and other stakeholders.
Market access: REACH is an EU-wide regulation, and companies that are non-compliant may face barriers to accessing the EU market. This could result in lost sales and revenue for the company.
Legal action: In some cases, non-compliance with REACH may also result in legal action, either from the ECHA or from other parties such as environmental groups.
Supply chain disruptions: REACH applies not only to companies that produce or import chemicals, but also to those that use chemicals in their products. This means that non-compliance by a supplier or other member of the supply chain can disrupt a company's operations.
To help companies ensure compliance with REACH, Cloudsyte offers a sustainability compliance platform that simplifies the registration process and provides ongoing support to help companies maintain their compliance. The platform includes a range of features such as a chemical database, guidance documents, and tools for managing and reporting on compliance.
By using Cloudsyte, companies can reduce their compliance risks and protect their reputation, while also supporting the protection of human health and the environment.