Downstream users are companies or individuals who use a chemical substance, either on its own or in a mixture, in the course of their industrial or professional activities.
Downstream users have a key role to play in advancing the safe use of chemicals by implementing safe use at their own site and communicating relevant information both to their suppliers and their customers.
Who is a downstream user?
Roles and obligations
Communication in the supply chain
Communication with suppliers
Effective communication between downstream users and suppliers at all stages in the REACH process ensures that relevant information is provided in the supply chain.
Communication with customers
Formulators need to communicate relevant safety information further down the supply chain to their own customers.
Chemical safety assessment
Downstream user chemical safety assessment
Downstream users may choose to carry out a chemical safety assessment if they use a substance outside the conditions described in the exposure scenario provided by the supplier, or if the use is advised against by the supplier.
Downstream user report
Downstream users have to report unsupported uses to ECHA in certain cases.