Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

UK REACH and Waste: Exclusions, End-of-Waste, By-products, Assimilated Law, Devolved Arrangements, SCIP, and the Windsor Framework

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

Introduction to UK REACH

‘REACH’ is the shortened name for Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which governs the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. Before REACH came into effect, there were concerns that the risks arising from chemicals placed on the EU market were not being properly controlled or thoroughly investigated, and that the entire responsibility for this fell on public authorities. REACH set out to remedy these issues by moving the onus for demonstrating understanding of, and effectively managing, chemical risks to those manufacturing and/or importing chemicals and articles containing them (i.e. industry). In addition, REACH seeks to:

secure a high degree of protection for human health and the environment
enable the free movement of substances within the EU market
enhance the competitiveness and innovation of the EU chemicals industry
promote alternative methods for assessing hazardous properties of substances, such as quantitative structure–activity relationships

At 11 pm (UK time) on 31 December 2020, REACH was copied onto the UK statute book as ‘retained direct EU legislation’ under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018...

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Darren Abrahams

Steptoe International (UK) LLP

Darren enables clients throughout the chemicals and life sciences supply chain to get and keep their products on the European market (both in the UK and the EU). He provides a global clientele (companies, consortia and trade associations) with strategic advice, undertakes advocacy before public authorities and agencies and litigates before courts and tribunals (including the ECHA board of appeal and CJEU).Darren has a wealth of experience with regulation of biocidal products, plant protection products, REACH, CLP, food and feed, GMOs and wider aspects of environmental law, including extensive work with the Aarhus convention. Chambers & Partners Europe-wide Regulatory (2020) recognizes his environment and Agro/Food practice, quoting clients’ praise: “exceptional expertise on…regulations on chemicals…and a great ability to understand the complexity of business.” “When it comes to things like REACH and chemicals law, he is the best” and “provides the complete package of client...

Tom Gillett

Steptoe International (UK) LLP

Tom Gillett advises clients on a wide range of environmental law, with a focus on chemicals regulation and product regimes (including REACH, biocides, food contact, product standards and CE/UKCA marking) in both the EU and the UK. With a background in complex and technical contentious environmental law (including contaminated land, pollution incidents, environmental permitting and waste regulation), Tom is well placed to help clients navigate regulatory investigations, appeals and tribunal hearings, as well as to advise on regulatory compliance, data sharing, consortium management, and supply chain due diligence. The Legal 500 UK, 2022, quotes one client as saying "I have worked with Tom Gillett and have found him to be diligent and knowledgeable in this developing area. As well as providing clear advice on a one to one basis, I also find his contributions in seminars and panel discussions useful and...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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