REACH and the Furniture Industry: How to Ensure Compliance of Raw Materials for Manufacturing and Surface Finishing

Photo: Cemrecan Yurtman / Unsplash

Furniture manufacturing cannot do without chemical raw materials – whether it's adhesives for wooden structures, varnishes for surface treatments, or additives improving material durability. Each of these substances is subject to strict legislative requirements, particularly the REACH and CLP regulations, which define the conditions for their registration, classification, and labeling. For furniture manufacturers, this means not only the obligation to ensure employee safety but also transparency toward customers and regulatory authorities. How can you properly assess the risks of the raw materials you use and prevent issues with incompatibility or insufficient documentation?

REACH and its impact on the furniture industry: Basic obligations of manufacturers

The REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a key legislative framework of the European Union that regulates the use of chemical substances in industrial sectors, including furniture manufacturing. For furniture and surface treatment manufacturers, REACH imposes the obligation to ensure that all chemical raw materials used in the production process – from adhesives and varnishes to impregnations and coatings – are properly registered and meet safety requirements. This applies not only to final products but also to all intermediates and auxiliary substances that enter furniture during production.

Manufacturers must actively verify whether their suppliers of chemical raw materials have valid REACH registration for the substances in question. This is particularly true for substances falling under the SVHC category (Substances of Very High Concern), i.e., highly hazardous chemicals whose use is restricted or subject to authorisation. If an SVHC substance is present in furniture in a concentration exceeding 0.1% by weight, this information must be passed down the supply chain and, in some cases, to the consumer. Compliance with these rules is essential not only for legal conformity but also for the protection of employees' and end-users' health.

CLP and GHS: Proper Labelling of Chemical Raw Materials and Products

The CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) is based on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and sets out rules for the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures. For the furniture industry, CLP is particularly important when handling raw materials such as varnishes, adhesives, paints, or cleaning agents, which may be hazardous to health or the environment. Manufacturers must ensure that all packaging of these substances is provided with the correct hazard pictograms, signal words ("Danger" or "Warning"), and standardised hazard statements (H-phrases) and safety instructions (P-phrases).

Proper CLP labelling is not just a formal obligation but also a tool for minimizing risks during the handling and processing of raw materials. For example, solvent-based adhesives must be labelled with a flame symbol and warnings about flammability, while some impregnation agents may require a warning about inhalation toxicity. Furniture manufacturers should regularly train their employees in reading and understanding these markings to prevent accidents and ensure safe work with chemical substances.

Photo: Cemrecan Yurtman / Unsplash

Safety Data Sheets (SDS): How to read and use them correctly in production

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a fundamental document that provides comprehensive information on the chemical properties, risks, and safe handling of raw materials. For furniture manufacturers, the SDS is an essential tool for assessing risks associated with specific substances and for planning safe production processes. The SDS must be supplied with every chemical raw material and must be easily accessible to all employees who come into contact with it. The document is structured into 16 sections, covering everything from substance identification and its classification under CLP to first aid instructions, fire-fighting measures, and waste disposal.

When working with SDS, it is important to focus particularly on sections 2 (hazard identification), 8 (exposure limits and protective equipment), and 13 (disposal instructions). For example, for water-based lacquers, section 8 may state that respirators with aerosol filters must be used during spraying, while for polyurethane-based adhesives, section 13 may recommend incineration in certified facilities. Manufacturers should regularly update SDS and ensure they correspond to the current composition of raw materials, especially if the supplier makes changes to the formulation.

Practical steps to ensure compliance with REACH and CLP in furniture manufacturing

Ensuring compliance with REACH and CLP regulations requires a systematic approach and collaboration across the entire supply chain. The first step is to establish an internal chemical management system, which includes regular checks of the registration status of raw materials with suppliers. Manufacturers should maintain records of all substances used, including their concentrations and any classification as SVHC. It is also important to monitor updates to the SVHC list, which the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) regularly expands.

Another key measure is the implementation of proper procedures for handling and storing chemical raw materials. This includes, for example, separate storage of flammable and toxic substances, ensuring adequate ventilation in workspaces, and using personal protective equipment according to the instructions in the SDS. Manufacturers should also regularly conduct internal audits and employee training to ensure that all staff are familiar with current legislative requirements and safety procedures. Last but not least, it is advisable to collaborate with expert consultants or certification bodies who can help identify potential risks and propose corrective measures.

Photo: Cemrecan Yurtman / Unsplash

REACH and raw material traceability: How to document the supply chain

In the furniture industry, traceability of raw materials is crucial not only for quality but also for compliance with REACH regulations. Manufacturers must have an overview of all chemical substances contained in the materials they use – from adhesives and varnishes to surface treatments and textiles. This means requiring suppliers to provide confirmation of substance registration under REACH, particularly for so-called substances of very high concern (SVHC). These substances are listed on the ECHA Candidate List and their use is subject to strict rules, including the obligation to inform customers of their presence in concentrations exceeding 0.1% by weight.

Supplier chain documentation should include not only safety data sheets (SDS) but also declarations of conformity, certificates, and, where applicable, test results conducted in accordance with applicable standards. In practice, this means maintaining systematic records where all relevant documents for each batch of raw materials are stored. This approach not only facilitates inspections by regulatory authorities but also minimizes the risk of using unregistered or prohibited substances. For greater efficiency, specialized chemical management software can be used to automate the tracking and updating of documentation.

Furniture Surface Treatments and Restrictions on Hazardous Substances: What Manufacturers Need to Know

Surface treatments such as varnishes, paints, oils, or waxes are among the most regulated areas in the furniture industry in terms of chemical safety. Under REACH, all substances in these products must be properly registered, including additives such as hardeners, thinners, or pigments. Special attention must be paid to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often contained in solvents and may pose a risk to the health of workers and end users. Their content is restricted not only by REACH but also by other regulations, such as the VOC Emissions Directive.

Manufacturers should prioritize raw materials with low VOC content and require detailed composition specifications from suppliers. It is also important to monitor updates to the SVHC candidate list, as some substances used in surface treatments, such as phthalates or certain flame retardants, may be gradually banned. To verify compliance, internal tests can be conducted or cooperation with accredited laboratories can be established to verify the content of hazardous substances using standard test methods. This not only ensures legislative compliance but also enhances the safety and quality of the final products.

Communication with Suppliers and Customers: How to Effectively Convey Chemical Safety Information

Effective communication regarding chemical safety is crucial for complying with REACH and CLP requirements throughout the supply chain. Furniture manufacturers must ensure that all relevant information about chemical substances is conveyed both to suppliers and customers. This includes not only safety data sheets (SDS) but also information on the presence of SVHC substances in concentrations above 0.1% by weight, which must be communicated further along the chain according to REACH. Customers, especially professional users, often require this data for their own internal risk assessments or to meet the requirements of their clients.

To facilitate communication, it is advisable to implement standardized procedures for document exchange, for example, through electronic systems or chemical management portals. It is also important to train employees responsible for communication with suppliers and customers so that they understand the legislative requirements and can correctly interpret safety data sheets. In the case of furniture exports to non-EU countries, local regulations must also be considered, as they may have different requirements for labeling and documentation. Transparent and accurate communication not only ensures legislative compliance but also strengthens customer trust in the quality and safety of the products.

Do you need to verify the compliance of raw materials for your production process?

GCG Group provides complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and technical documentation for every raw material supplied, in compliance with REACH and CLP. Our experts will advise you on selecting suitable alternatives, optimizing storage, and minimizing risks during handling. Contact us – or browse our catalog of over 1,300 products right away.