REACH is the European framework that regulates the use of chemical substances across the entire supply chain, requiring companies to demonstrate safety and transparency. This article explains how REACH affects materials, packaging design, and compliance obligations for industrial manufacturers, and how Faes supports companies in becoming fully REACH-proof.
Summary of this article
Whether you manufacture machinery, package medical equipment or assemble components, chances are you are affected by REACH. This European legislation determines how companies handle chemical substances in products, materials and processes.
In practice, this means much more than complying with rules or filling in forms. REACH affects the entire supply chain, from material selection and procurement to packaging and logistics. Companies need to know which substances are in their products, how they are used and what the potential risks are to people and the environment. Those who do not have a clear picture of this run the risk of fines, delivery problems or project delays.
At Faes, we do not see REACH as a burden, but as an opportunity. By gaining control over material data and increasing transparency in the chain, you not only strengthen compliance with legislation, but also the sustainability and reliability of your organisation. In this article, you can read about what REACH entails, how the law is enforced and why compliance is essential for companies in the manufacturing industry.
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a European regulation that has been in force in all Member States of the European Union since 2007. The law is intended to better protect people and the environment from the risks of chemical substances and to encourage companies to use these substances in a safe and responsible manner.
Where other regulations often focus on the end product, REACH looks at the entire chain. From producers of raw materials to companies that use components, adhesives or coatings in their production process. Anyone who works with chemical substances or materials in which these substances are processed is subject to the law to a greater or lesser extent.
An important principle of REACH is that responsibility lies not with the government, but with the business community. Companies must be able to demonstrate that their products are safe and that the substances used do not pose an unacceptable risk. This requires insight into the entire material chain and clear communication with suppliers and customers.
Although responsibility for compliance lies entirely with industry, the government ensures that companies actually take this responsibility seriously. The implementation of REACH is coordinated centrally by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This organisation manages the European database of registered substances, assesses dossiers and regularly publishes updates on substances that must meet additional requirements.
Within the Netherlands, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and the Dutch Labour Inspectorate check whether companies are complying with the law. They carry out inspections, assess safety data sheets and can impose sanctions in the event of violations. In serious cases, this can lead to fines, production stoppages or a ban on the marketing of certain products.
For many industrial companies, REACH is therefore not only a legal issue, but also an organisational challenge. It requires good documentation, reliable supplier information and, in some cases, adjustments to the design, packaging or logistics process.
REACH is structured around four pillars that together determine how companies must handle chemical substances: registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction. These components interact with each other and ensure that the risks of substances are known, assessed and controlled.
Companies that produce or import chemical substances in the European Union in quantities exceeding one tonne per year must register these substances with the ECHA. This involves providing data on the properties of the substance, potential hazards and safe conditions of use. This dossier forms the basis for transparency in the chain.
After registration, ECHA assesses the information provided. Sometimes the organisation requests additional data or tests, for example when there is doubt about the safety of a substance. The aim is to check whether the risks have been correctly assessed and whether further measures are necessary.
Some substances are classified as “Substances of Very High Concern” (SVHC). These substances may, for example, be carcinogenic or difficult to break down in the environment. Companies that wish to continue using such substances must apply for explicit permission to do so. This encourages the search for safer alternatives.
If a substance poses unacceptable risks, its use may be restricted in whole or in part. In this way, the law prevents hazardous substances from ending up in products or packaging without control.
In practice, this means that every link in the chain bears responsibility. Manufacturers and importers must know which substances they are using, distributors must pass on accurate information, and end users must check whether their application falls within the permitted limits.
For industrial companies, this requires close cooperation with suppliers and partners. Only in this way can a complete picture of the materials used be obtained and can it be demonstrated that the products comply with European requirements.
REACH is not only important to chemical companies, but affects the entire manufacturing industry. Virtually every production process uses substances that fall under this legislation, either directly or indirectly. Examples include coatings, adhesives, lacquers, sealants and foams used in packaging, housings and components.
For industrial companies, REACH has direct consequences for purchasing, material selection and product design. If a supplier uses a substance that is on the so-called Candidate List (this is a list of substances that, according to ECHA and/or Member States, may be so risky that they could be restricted or subject to authorisation in the future), this may have consequences for the availability or delivery reliability of parts. In some cases, substances may only be used temporarily, which means that alternatives must be developed or approved in good time.
REACH is also playing an increasingly important role in the logistics chain. Companies must be able to demonstrate that the materials they use and package comply with the applicable requirements. This requires transparency in the supply chain and clear communication with suppliers. A lack of information can lead to delays, compliance issues or even export restrictions.
By viewing REACH not as a separate obligation, but as part of a broader strategy, companies can strengthen their processes. Those who have control over material data and traceability not only reduce the risk of non-compliance, but also build reliability and future-proofing within the chain.
At Faes, we understand that REACH compliance involves more than legal texts, registrations and individual material declarations. The legislation directly affects design decisions, material selection, supplier selection and the way packaging is produced, maintained and used throughout the supply chain. That is why we do not treat REACH as a final compliance check, but incorporate it into the development of the packaging solution from the outset.
Our engineers and specialists work with the customer to identify the applicable requirements and determine which materials, components and processes require particular attention. This includes plastics, adhesives, foams, coatings and other substances used in the solution. We help collect and assess supplier information, identify missing data or declarations and translate the findings into clear requirements for engineering, procurement and production. This makes potential risks visible before the design is finalised and costly modifications become necessary.
Faes relieves the customer of this burden by coordinating the technical and organisational steps within one integrated process. The customer does not have to gather information from multiple suppliers, engineers and production partners or determine independently how a material choice may affect the final design. We safeguard the connection between material selection, technical performance, manufacturability and the relevant REACH requirements. The result is a well-founded packaging solution that is practical, robust and ready for production, with decisions that are easier to trace and substantiate.
At first glance, REACH appears to be a complex set of rules, but in practice it offers companies the opportunity to improve processes, reduce risks and work more sustainably. Gaining insight into the materials and substances used makes the chain more transparent, improves quality control and reduces dependence on high-risk substances.
For organisations in the manufacturing industry, this means not only complying with European legislation, but also investing in reliability and future-proofing. Companies that take REACH seriously demonstrate that they value safety, the environment and customer confidence.
At Faes, we support companies in making their packaging and processes REACH-proof, without unnecessary complexity. By combining our technical knowledge with insight into regulations, we help organisations to remain compliant while strengthening their sustainability goals.
Would you like to know how your company can comply with REACH and at the same time take steps towards a circular, transparent supply chain? Then please contact our specialists. Together, we will ensure that your packaging processes comply with regulations and are ready for the future.
Tim van de Puttelaar is the Engineering Manager at Faes and specializes in packaging engineering and custom solutions. In his articles, he shares insights on optimization, testing, and engineering projects that contribute to more efficient and sustainable packaging solutions within complex supply chains.
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