New legal provisions have changed the rules of production, import and use of chemicals in the European Union Member States. Chemical substances present on the common market are covered by registration duty. Manufacturers and importers of substances are obliged to ensure that the risk posed by a given substance is adequately controlled on each stage. Information on substances is to be transferred both downstream and upstream in a supply chain. Substances of very high concern are the subject of authorisation procedure and will be gradually replaced by their safer equivalents. Information on substances of very high concern is transferred to downstream users and consumers. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and Member States Competent Authorities have been established. National Helpdesks on REACH are operating in Member States, giving help to enterprises and other stakeholders. Med Pr 2010;61(3):333-340