UK REACH Regulation and upcoming compliance deadlines

29 Jan 2026

This update provides information on the UK REACH Regulation. It outlines important requirements for businesses, as well as details of a proposed extension to registration timelines and our processes for ensuring continuity of our operations.

What is the UK REACH Regulation?

UK REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals) is the UK’s equivalent of the EU REACH Regulation. It aims to protect human health and the environment from harm resulting from the use of chemicals, and to hold manufacturers and importers responsible for their products.

UK REACH applies to all chemical substances manufactured or imported into England, Scotland, and Wales. It requires manufacturers and importers to register these substances with the Health and Safety Executive and places the onus on them to prove chemical safety.

This regulation entered UK law in January 2021, replacing EU REACH following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. While similar in most respects to EU REACH, it contains minor differences to ensure operability in England, Scotland, and Wales. EU REACH continues to apply in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Scope and obligations

UK REACH applies to chemical substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles.  

Any business, regardless of company size, involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, or using chemicals has a duty to identify and manage the risks presented by any substances they manufacture or place on the market in the UK. This includes demonstrating that they can be used safely. Substances manufactured or imported at a scale above one tonne per year must be registered before the set deadlines. Some substances covered by other regulations are excluded or have tailored provisions under UK REACH.

Deadlines for registration

Businesses affected by UK REACH have been given deadlines for registering their substances. These deadlines vary depending on the specific chemical in question and the quantity manufactured or imported.

Previously, the UK government had proposed the following deadlines for registration:

  • 27 October 2026: Any substances included on the Candidate List before 31 December 2023, as well as substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction, and manufactured or imported in quantities above 1 tonne or more per annum (tpa). This deadline also applies to substances graded very toxic to aquatic life at 100 tpa or more, and to any substance at 1,000 tpa or more.
  • 27 October 2028: Any substances added to the Candidate List from 1 January 2024 to 27 October 2026, as well as any substance manufactured or imported at 100 tpa or more.
  • 27 October 2030: Any substances manufactured or imported at 1 tpa or more.

However, the government recently announced a proposed extension to these deadlines with the aim of reducing burdens on smaller businesses. Subject to consultation with Scottish and Welsh Ministers, the submission deadlines will now be moved back to 28 October 2029, 2030, and 2031, respectively.

Flint Group's commitment to compliance

Flint Group has an established system for managing international regulatory compliance. We work closely with partners across the supply chain to ensure our products imported into England, Scotland, and Wales remain compliant with UK REACH. Our global regulatory team will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that we uphold the robust chemical safety and product stewardship standards expected of us.

 

For more information or questions about specific products or materials in scope, please contact your regional sales representative.