Suppose the USA had REACH: ramifications for formaldehyde

Sara Hajiamiri, Myles T. Collins and John D. Graham

Journal of Risk Research, 2010, vol. 13, issue 5, 639-651

Abstract: The Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) legislation for regulating chemicals came into force in the EU in June 2007. This framework is stricter and more precautionary than its counterpart in the USA -- the Toxic Substances Control Act -- in that it requires data submissions for not only new but existing chemicals as well. This study evaluates the REACH process by assuming that the program exists in the USA and by taking formaldehyde, which is widely used yet toxic at certain doses, through the steps of REACH. We find that the attractive features of REACH are that it shifts more of the technical burdens of regulation to industry and that it may stimulate competitive pressures for safer, 'greener' products. Downsides include technical ambiguities in the analytical guidance, a potential for creating large amounts of paperwork, and perhaps a small risk reduction relative to the costs of the legislation. We recommend additional case studies with other existing chemicals to obtain a fuller picture of the potential ramifications of REACH-like legislation in the USA.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1080/13669870903551654

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