REACH – Opportunities and Risks for a Company Supplying Research Chemicals and Intermediates

Abstract

REACH is the proposal of a new legislation to control chemicals in the EU and poses a major challenge to suppliers of chemicals. As a company engaged in supplying more than 80'000 individual substances to a very diverse customer base, Sigma-Aldrich is particularly affected. The impact of various aspects of REACH, both positive and negative, is discussed. Although the legislation is not yet available in its final version the overall impact is believed to be negative.