FORTIS FOAM
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the EU’s comprehensive chemical safety regulation, in force since 2007. It requires manufacturers and importers to register chemical substances, assess their risks, and communicate safe use conditions — affecting every ingredient in car wash products.
How REACH impacts car wash chemistry:
- Substance registration — every chemical substance produced or imported above 1 tonne/year must be registered with ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), including full safety data.
- Authorisation — substances of very high concern (SVHCs) require specific authorisation for continued use. Some traditional car wash ingredients have been restricted under REACH.
- Restriction — certain hazardous substances are banned or limited. For example, restrictions on nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) removed a once-common surfactant class from European formulations.
- Communication — Safety Data Sheets must be provided downstream, ensuring operators know what they are handling.
What operators should know:
REACH compliance is primarily the manufacturer’s responsibility. When you buy from EU-based producers, their products have already passed REACH requirements. However, importing unregistered products from outside the EU is illegal.
REACH works alongside the EU Detergents Regulation, which adds specific biodegradability requirements for detergent surfactants. Together, these regulations ensure that products like Fortis Foam PRO and Fortis Foam ECO are safe for people and the environment.