REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Restriction of Chemicals) is a European regulation that entered into force on 1st June 2007.

The main aim of REACH is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, the promotion of alternative test methods, the free circulation of substances on the internal market and enhancing competitiveness and innovation.

REACH regulations are applicable during production, importation and use:

 * of chemical substances such as those contained in the preparation (mixture of several substances) of articles, however dangerous they may be. The quantity, by substance, on the market, should be less than 1 tonne/annum, otherwise pre-registration is compulsory.
 * of substances of very high concern. 15 substances are currently registered.

As manufacturers, FIM adheres to the REACH regulations with the following obligations:

 * If one of the substances of very high concern is present in our articles, in a concentration of more than 0.1% mass/mass, we must inform our customers. In the hypothesis that we place more than 1tonne/annum of this substance onto the market, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) must be notified.

With these obligations in mind, FIM has already begun to question suppliers. This process takes time, as the suppliers must also question their own suppliers.

FIM also has the statute of downstream user of substances. Effectively, due to the preparations required for our activity, we are considered as users. As such, we must respect the regulation with our preparation suppliers and inform them of our use of their product. This process is also underway.

FIM has undergone an internal audit via the Chamber of Commerce, within the framework of the REACH regulations. Classed in yellow zone, our company is classified in a REACH average impact zone.