UK chemicals regime launched

UK REACH, the UK's new independent chemicals regulatory framework began on 1 January 2021.

Businesses which make, sell or distribute chemicals into Great Britain will now need to follow the UK’s new domestic chemicals regulations including UK REACH.

The Government has worked closely with partners, industry and stakeholders to develop a new IT system to manage the UK’s chemicals industry which contributes some £11.2 billion GVA to the UK economy per year.

The new system enables the UK to make decisions on the regulation of chemicals that are based on the best available scientific evidence, ensuring that chemicals remain safely used and managed.

Businesses will be able to use the Comply with UK REACH IT service to:

• validate existing GB-held EU registrations ("Grandfathering");
• submit downstream user import notifications (DUIN);
• submit new substance registrations;
• submit new product and process orientated research and development (PPORD) notifications.

In addition, businesses will need to contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make sure that they:

• validate existing UK-held product and process orientated research and development (PPORDs);
• provide information on any authorisation matter, including new authorisation application, grandfathering of existing authorisations, and downstream user notifications of authorised uses.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: "We have worked closely with industry and partners to develop the Comply with UK REACH IT system, which is fitting for our world-leading chemicals industry.

"Having our own independent chemicals regulatory framework will ensure that we make decisions that best reflect the UK’s needs while maintaining some of the highest chemicals standards in the world."

For more information, see:

• Retained EU Regulation 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).