EU Chemicals Regulation: New Governance, Hybridity and REACH

摘要

In 2007, the European Union (EU) regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) came into force, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was created. This is the largest EU regulation that has ever been produced. Even so, it does not cover all chemicals as foodstuffs, biocides and some aspects of the environment are covered by other regulations. The regulation is an example of hard law, which is a law that has been enacted by an appropriate body. In contrast to this, there is a soft law which consists of guidance and advice made by a government like organization, an agency of a government organization or an independent person or organization. The topic of the interplay between hard and soft law is called new governance.