The European Union REACH Regulation for Chemicals

This book discusses the law and practice of the European Union's new chemical regulatory programmes known under the acronym ''REACH'. REACH is intended to ensure the safe management of risks associated with chemical substances throughout the supply chain. Its scope is very broad; subject to limited exceptions, REACH applies to all bulk chemicals used in industrial processes and to chemicals present in products such as cleaning products, paints, clothing, furniture, and electrical appliances. The newly established European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the Commission, and member state authorities are in charge of administering the various parts of the REACH Regulation, creating a complex patchwork of government powers, procedures, and oversight. The volume is written by experienced REACH practitioners. It addresses both the key legal regulatory issues associated with REACH and the key management and practical challenges. In addition to analysing the scope, the processes, and the obligations of the industry under REACH, the book covers the strategy and management of REACH compliance from the perspective of the regulated entities. The focus is on the strategic and practical decisions facing companies subject to REACH's various regimes. Significant attention is paid to REACH consortia, which are a key instrument in compliance management, and to the competition law issues arising in connection with REACH consortia. It also covers legal remedies, enforcement, intellectual property rights, and civil liability for damages arising from chemical substances as well as how companies can shape their REACH compliance programme to reduce their liability exposure.

Auteur

Lucas Bergkamp is a Partner at Hunton & Williams, and head of the European Regulatory Practice. His practice focuses on environment, health and safety, energy, and product regulation, as well as related liability and contractual matters. A medical doctor and lawyer, Lucas represents multinational enterprises and SMEs on a variety of science-based regulatory issues at policy and compliance levels. A graduate of the University of Amsterdam and Yale Law School, Lucas is admitted to the bars of New York and Brussels. He was a professor of law at Erasmus University Rotterdam for 10 years. His many publications include Liability and Environment (2001) and EC Law for the New Economy (2005). Lucas is a member of the editorial boards of several publications, including the European Journal of Risk Regulation, and serves as Council Director for the Conference Board's Council on the Environment and Product Stewardship and as member of the advisory board of the Campaign for Fighting Diseases.