Sioen is fully REACH compliant
REACH
We guarantee that we are fully REACH compliant. REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. Reach aims to enhance human health and the environment through a better and faster identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.
REACH
REACH is a regulation of the European Union. It refers to Regulation NO 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council. According to the European Chemicals Agency(ECHA) the regulation is "adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU Chemicals industry." Reach also "promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals."
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It applies to all chemical substances and thus to most EU companies. This means that it's not only about Chemicals used in industrial processes but also about the chemicals in daily used products, such as clothes, furniture, etc.
To comply with this regulation, companies, Sioen among others, must identify the risks that are linked to the substances they develop and sell in the European Union. They have to show ECHA how the substance can be safely used, and they must inform the users of the risk management measures.
How REACH works
REACH sets up procedures for collecting and assessing information on the properties and dangers of substances. All companies have to register the substances they use. This data is sent to ECHA and is evaluated. ECHA assesses, together with the authorities, whether the risks of the substances can be managed.
SDGs
Being REACH compliant can be linked to two SDGs: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" (SDG 3) and "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns" (SDG 12).
By assessing the possible dangers of substances, we help to reduce the "number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination" as is stated in target 3.9.
In addition, we also help to reach target 12.4 ("By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimise their adverse impacts on human health and the environment").