REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (EC 1907/2006). It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. The new law entered into force on 1 June 2007.
The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki will act as the central point in the REACH system: it will manage the databases necessary to operate the system, co-ordinate the in-depth evaluation of suspicious chemicals and run a public database in which consumers and professionals can find hazard information.
The Regulation also calls for the progressive substitution of the most dangerous chemicals when suitable alternatives have been identified. For more information read: REACH in Brief.
If you start using only environmentally friendly cleaning products you will be indirectly influencing the application of the REACH legislation. At some point every chemical brand will have to comply with the demand of their customers. Because we are not just a consumers, we have a power and that power is in the choices we make.
For all ranges of ecological cleaning brands available in the UK check: www.ultimatelyeco.com
