To ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, as well as the free circulation of substances on their own, in preparation or in products, while simultaneously enhancing competitiveness and innovation, the European Community adopted the regulation (EG) Nr. 1907/2006 (REACH).

REACH stands for:

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, CHemicals.

REACH includes all chemical substances, whether they have dangerous properties or not. All companies producing or importing more than one ton of a substance per year in the EU, are affected by REACH.
 
In a pre-registration period, starting on June 1st, 2008 ending on November 30th, 2008, in cooperation with the agency ECHA in Helsinki a discussion forum will be established, in which producers and importers of equal substances can discuss. After the pre-registration deadline the not pre-registered substances are no longer allowed to be produced, traded or used, viz. no longer be imported into the EU.
 
European custom control will not allow the shipping of goods into the EU, which contain ingredients that are not registered