REACH Becomes Far More StringentREACH Becomes Far More Stringent

The REACH regulation in Europe has changed, and for many industries such as automotive, the changes will have a profound effect on doing business. The European Union’s (EU) REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) was updated last September, with new guidance released Dec. 15, 2015. The new rules are more stringent. It used to be that a product such as a car was OK if it contained less than 1% of a REACH chemical. Now it’s not OK if an article within the car –- such as a button battery -– contains 1% of a REACH chemical.