On 1 June 2007, the REACH Regulation (the European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical), cornerstone of EU chemicals legislation, entered into force with the objective of, among other, to improve citizens’ confidence in the safety of products. A recent Eurobarometer survey on chemical safety reveals the impact REACH has made in its 10 years’ existence. According to this study 44% of EU citizens consider that safety of chemicals contained in products has improved in the last 10-15 years. They also have a higher level of confidence in products manufactured in the EU compared to those imported from outside. Two-thirds of citizens are concerned about being exposed to hazardous chemicals, while in general, citizens in Northern Europe are better informed about the potential dangers of chemicals than citizens in Southern Europe.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/