Control of chemical substances

[Guest Virraveddo]

I just learned about the European Union system for controlling the use of chemical substances, REACH. It seems like the industry, the pollutants, are to show that their substances are safe to use. I've done some Google-searches but I find the vast amount of information a bit overwhelming, so I turn to you, in hope that there is someone here who knows more about it.

I would especially like to know how the industry can show that a substance is harmless, or safe. Is there, for example a prescribed testing procedure? For whom are the risks evaluated (The entire population, animails, wild life, plants etc.)? What authority is responsible for the actual approval?

 

Thanks in advance

Virraveddo.