REACH - European Union chemicals legislation

Rio Tinto is complying with the new European Union (EU) REACH legislation. REACH - Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals - aims to help manage the risks that chemicals could pose to human health and the environment throughout the EU.

In accordance with the REACH process, Rio Tinto has evaluated all of our products that we market into EU countries, identified where compliance is required and pre-registered those products. Minerals, ores and concentrates are exempt from registration but all chemically modified products need to be registered, including products such as aluminium.

Rio Tinto is working closely with a number of product consortia (companies with similar products, either imported or manufactured in the EU), to ensure that REACH registration data requirements are being met on a product basis rather than company by company. This is helping to avoid duplication and enables us to make cost effective and consistent product registrations. For information on the Regulation refer to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). For specific information about Rio Tinto's products, please contact your relevant sales manager or email reachenquiries@riotinto.com.