Existing Substances Regulation (EEC) NO 793/93

The objective of the Directive is to identify and control the risks linked to chemical substances. The Directive sets up a programme which involves data collection on the substances imported or produced by companies with risk assessment of more dangerous chemicals and risk reduction strategies.

An "existing substance" is defined as one that is listed in the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS). This list contains some 100,000 chemicals that were on the market, within the European Community, between January 1st 1971 and September 18th 1981.

Member states are responsible for the risk assessments and risk reduction strategies laid down in this Directive.