The new EU directive affects large areas of the chemicals law.

Though it has not yet been definitely decided when the REACH Directive will enter into effect, there is no doubt that it will have a strong impact on the entire manufacturing trade. The aim of the Directive is to standardise the registration, evaluation, and authorisation of chemicals. This affects not only the manufacturers of chemicals, but also the users. One aspect of the Directive involves the shifting of the burden of proof: Unlike previous directives, REACH specifies that the safety of substances will in future have to be established prior to their being offered for sale in the market.

Please also read the comments by the German Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Deutscher Industrie und Handelskammertag) and by the Chemical Trade Association (Chemiehandelsverband).