REACH

The REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) is a key European regulation ((EC) No. 1907/2006) for the safe handling of chemical substances. It came into force on June 1, 2007. The aim of the REACH Regulation is to ensure a significant and positive contribution to the protection of the environment and human health. 

The REACH Regulation imposes requirements on manufacturers, importers, and users of chemical products in the EU. Companies that manufacture or import chemical substances into the EU in quantities of one ton or more per year are required to register these substances. This registration includes information on the properties and use of the respective substance. This data is reviewed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

In addition to registration, the REACH Regulation also provides an authorization procedure for substances of very high concern (SVHC). Affected substances can be regulated by the European authorities by imposing an authorization requirement (substances subject to authorization in Annex XIV) or a restriction (restricted substances in Annex XVII). In doing so, the conditions under which further use of these substances is possible are specifically defined or restricted.

Responsible treatment of the REACH Regulation is part of the Rheinmetall Group's dedication to safety and sustainability. The focus here is on the awareness that the use of chemical substances not only has technological and economic implications, but also impacts people and the environment. The group is therefore committed to carefully implementing the requirements of the REACH Regulation and ensuring that the relevant corporate units engage in continuous, cross-divisional dialogue to ensure consistent and reliable implementation of the requirements.

With regards to the chairmanship of the REACH working group at the German Security and Defense Industry Association (Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie e.V.) hold by Rheinmetall, the group is proactively committed to the careful implementation of the REACH Regulation both within the Rheinmetall Group and throughout the German defense industry.

Compliance with the REACH Regulation is therefore regarded as an expression of responsible corporate behavior. It stands for a way of working that harmonizes economic success with the protection of humans and the environment and thereby contributes significantly to a safe and sustainable future.