ConceptsDefined term

Substance (REACH)

A chemical element or compound under REACH, including its additives and impurities, and the base unit that gets registered.

Updated
2026-06-12

Definition

A substance under REACH is a chemical element or compound, including its additives and impurities. This is the base unit that gets registered. Registration, evaluation and authorisation under the regulation all attach to the substance.

Key point

A substance is the building block. Combine substances without a reaction and you have a mixture. A substance can also sit inside an article.

Substances are identified by markers such as the EC number, which keeps the registered identity consistent across the supply chain. The full framework is set out in REACH.

Note: general educational information, not legal advice. Check the official source before relying on it.

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