OSHA
US regulation for workplace safety and health standards
REACH
EU regulation for chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction.
Quick Verdict
OSHA enforces US workplace safety standards via inspections and penalties, while REACH mandates EU chemical registration, testing, and restrictions. Companies adopt OSHA for hazard compliance and REACH for market access and supply chain risk management.
OSHA
29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety Standards
Key Features
- General Duty Clause enforces recognized serious hazards
- Hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering over PPE
- 29 CFR 1910 standards cover general industry hazards
- Risk-based inspections target high-hazard workplaces
- Mandatory OSHA 300 logs and electronic reporting
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on REACH
Key Features
- Industry-led registration above 1 tonne/year threshold
- SVHC Candidate List triggers communication duties
- Annex XIV authorisation for very high concern substances
- Annex XVII EU-wide restrictions and bans
- Supply chain SDS and exposure scenario requirements
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
OSHA Details
What It Is
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards, codified in 29 CFR 1910, are U.S. federal regulations under the OSH Act of 1970. This regulatory framework enforces workplace safety and health for general industry, using a performance-based approach with the General Duty Clause for recognized hazards and specific standards for targeted risks.
Key Components
- Organized into Subparts A-Z covering walking surfaces, PPE, hazardous materials, toxic substances.
- **Hierarchy of controlselimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE.
- Core principles include hazard communication (HazCom 1910.1200), recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904), and enforcement via inspections.
- Compliance model relies on self-implementation with OSHA verification.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated by law to avoid penalties up to $165,514 per willful violation. Reduces injuries, lowers insurance costs, enhances reputation, and supports IIPP for proactive risk management.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, written programs, training, engineering controls. Applies to most U.S. private employers; state plans may enhance. No certification, but ongoing audits via inspections.
REACH Details
What It Is
REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Its primary purpose is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment from chemical risks by shifting responsibility to industry for generating and managing safety data. Scope covers substances, mixtures, and articles across the supply chain, using a risk-based lifecycle approach.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (SVHCs on Annex XIV), Restriction (Annex XVII bans/limits).
- Technical annexes (I-XVII) define data requirements, SDS rules, exemptions.
- Built on industry-led data generation, ECHA coordination, Member State enforcement.
- Continuous compliance model, no certification but dossier submissions and audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for EU market access; penalties for non-compliance.
- Manages supply chain risks, avoids market bans/recalls.
- Drives substitution, innovation, ESG reporting.
- Builds stakeholder trust via transparency (Article 33 SVHC info).
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, inventory, dossiers, monitoring.
- Cross-functional (regulatory, procurement, R&D); tools like IUCLID/REACH-IT.
- Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users in chemicals/manufacturing; EU/EEA focus.
Key Differences
| Aspect | OSHA | REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Workplace safety, health standards, recordkeeping | Chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction |
| Industry | All US industries, general/construction/agriculture | Chemicals, manufacturing, EU/EEA-wide all sectors |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal standards, OSHA enforcement | Mandatory EU regulation, ECHA/Member State enforcement |
| Testing | Inspections, injury logs, no chemical testing | Hazard/toxicity testing, dossier submissions, evaluations |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k per willful violation | National fines up to €10M or 2% global turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and REACH
OSHA FAQ
REACH FAQ
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