The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted on the 18th of December 2006, Regulation (EC) N° 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).  It was published on the 30th of December 2006 and its entry into force is scheduled for the 1st of June 2007.

REACH aims at improving the protection of human health and the environment from the hazards of the substances which are placed on the European market.  Accordingly, REACH aims at ensuring safe use of substances. In this perspective, REACH also aims at reducing animal testing to the absolute minimum. Finally, REACH promotes the communication up and down the supply chain.

Full Regulation available on:
http://ecb.jrc.it/legislation/2006R1907EC.pdf