EU Chemicals Regulation

'This fascinating and original monograph examines the EU's innovative regime for the regulation of chemicals. It will be of great interest to lawyers and political scientists who are interested in chemicals regulation, but also crucially to those who are not. The volume uses chemicals regulation as a case study to shed light upon broader debates in EU law and governance, including the role played by 'soft law' instruments in EU law and the pressing accountability issues to which this gives rise.'
- Joanne Scott, University College London, UK

'Steven Vaughan's book on the EU's REACH regime is a splendid case study in new governance. It has been said that 'there is nothing more practical than a good theory.' Producing a good, practical theory, however, requires not just strong academic skills, but also practical experience. Vaughan brings both to the task of analyzing how 'new governance' plays out in the area of chemical regulation. His insightful analysis demonstrates that much highbrow academic theory on REACH and new governance is inaccurate.'
- Lucas Bergkamp, Partner, Hunton & Williams, Brussels

This perceptive book provides an exploratory, explanatory and normative account of the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and its regulator, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

With more than one million words of official ECHA guidance to accompany and underpin the 516 pages of REACH, comprehension of these cooperative regimes is often confounded. Through rigorous analysis of REACH and ECHA's guidance, this book offers a critical insight into hybrid new governance, the situation whereby hard law is conjoined with soft law. Steven Vaughan uses his practical and academic expertise in environmental law to present an accessible and multidimensional account of the core elements of REACH and its associated guidance. The overarching discussion challenges existing assumptions about new governance to establish a basis for academic commentaries on EU chemicals regulation and hybridity in law and governance.

Acute and discerning, this book will act as a useful reference tool for environmental and public law scholars and students interested in EU chemicals regulation, new governance and hybridity. Legal practitioners and policy makers alike will find value in the acumen into REACH for both advisory remarks and areas of potential reform.