Substances, mixtures and articles

What is a substance?

Examples include sulphuric acid, acetone and potassium nitrate.

a chemical element and its compounds in the natural state or obtained by any manufacturing process, including any additive necessary to preserve its stability and any impurity deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 3(1)

What is a mixture?

Example include cleaning fluids and paints.

a mixture or solution composed of two or more substances
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 3(2)

What is an article?

Articles can be interpreted to mean physical goods such as computers, smartphones and jet engines.

an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 3(3)

Steven Brennan

Steven is a Regulatory Consultant and helps companies to maintain compliance with chemical regulations. He writes about REACH, RoHS and other environmental regulations in his spare time.