REACH
EU regulation for chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction
ISO 27017
International code of practice for cloud security controls
Quick Verdict
REACH mandates chemical safety registration and risk management across EU supply chains, while ISO 27017 provides voluntary cloud security guidance extending ISO 27001. Companies adopt REACH for legal compliance; ISO 27017 for trusted cloud assurance and procurement edge.
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on REACH
Key Features
- Shifts chemical risk responsibility to industry
- Requires registration above 1 tonne/year per entity
- Authorisation list with sunset dates for SVHCs
- EU-wide restrictions via Annex XVII updates
- Mandatory supply-chain SDS communication
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud security
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
- Adds 7 cloud-specific CLD security controls
- Provides guidance for 37 ISO 27002 cloud adaptations
- Addresses multi-tenancy and VM segregation risks
- Integrates into ISO 27001 ISMS audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
REACH Details
What It Is
REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation governing chemicals lifecycle. Its primary purpose is protecting human health and environment by shifting responsibility to industry for identifying, registering, and managing chemical risks. Scope covers substances, mixtures, and certain articles across manufacture, import, and use. Key approach: tonnage-based data requirements and integrated pillars.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, Restriction.
- 17 technical Annexes (e.g., XIV for Authorisation List, XVII for Restrictions).
- Core principles: industry-led data generation, SVHC identification, substitution promotion.
- Compliance model: ongoing dossier submission to ECHA, national enforcement, no central certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU market access (>1 tonne/year).
- Mitigates fines, market bans, recalls.
- Enhances supply-chain transparency, innovation via substitution.
- Builds stakeholder trust, ESG alignment, competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, inventory, dossiers, monitoring.
- Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users EU-wide.
- Cross-functional: procurement, R&D, EHS.
- Audit readiness via internal checks, national inspections.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is an international code of practice providing guidance on information security controls for cloud services. It extends ISO/IEC 27002 within an ISO 27001 ISMS, focusing on cloud-specific risks like shared responsibilities between cloud service providers (CSPs) and customers (CSCs). Adopts a risk-based approach to adapt controls for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Key Components
- Cloud-specific guidance for 37 ISO 27002 controls.
- 7 additional CLD controls covering segregation, VM hardening, admin operations, monitoring, and asset lifecycle.
- Built on ISO 27001 ISMS framework.
- No standalone certification; integrated into ISO 27001 audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Addresses cloud gaps in generic standards.
- Supports regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR) and procurement demands.
- Reduces multi-tenancy risks, builds trust.
- Competitive differentiator for CSPs and CSCs.
Implementation Overview
- Map to existing ISO 27001; conduct cloud risk assessments.
- Implement technical measures like logging, segregation.
- Applicable globally across industries and sizes.
- Joint audits typically 9-12 months.
Key Differences
| Aspect | REACH | ISO 27017 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction | Cloud-specific information security controls guidance |
| Industry | Chemicals, manufacturing, importers worldwide | Cloud providers, customers, all cloud-using sectors |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation, legally binding | Voluntary code of practice, ISO 27001 extension |
| Testing | Dossier submissions, substance evaluations by ECHA | ISO 27001 audits assess cloud controls |
| Penalties | Fines, product seizures by Member States | No legal penalties, certification loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about REACH and ISO 27017
REACH FAQ
ISO 27017 FAQ
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