Assimilated Regulation 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, commonly known as ‘UK REACH’, applies responsibilities to manufacturers, importers, distributors and users of chemical substances which could cause harm to people and the environment. The assimilated regulation transposed European Union (EU) Regulation No 1907/2006 into UK law, however Northern Ireland still operates under EU REACH as part of the single-market. This article focuses on UK REACH, which applies across Great Britain.
One of the key aims of UK REACH is to reduce and ultimately phase out the use of ‘substances of very high concern’ (SVHCs), which have been assessed to have high potential for harm. Therefore, the manufacture, supply and use of all SVHCs require authorisation, with the supply and use of some SVHCs being restricted or prohibited altogether.
UK REACH applies to all chemical substances (including those in mixtures or substances), irrespective of whether they are classed as hazardous or not. There are some exemptions however, for example radioactive substances and waste, which are both covered by other, specific, legislation.
The 3 main procedures for duty holders to follow are:
- Registration: imports or manufacture of any chemical substances in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year must be registered with the HSE. Fees apply for this, dependent on company size and the tonnage of the substance(s).
- Authorisation: the manufacture, importation or use of an SVHC in any quantity requires authorisation from the HSE which has an associated fee. Distributors must also be authorised to supply SVCHs.
- Notification: the HSE must be notified where an exemption to registration and / or authorisation exists through compliance with EU REACH pre-2021. Fees apply for this, along with charges associated with the extension of an exemption.
UK REACH fees and charges are payable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is the regulator for UK REACH.
Distributors are also required to make information available to users regarding chemicals, by ensuring appropriate labelling and providing safety data sheets.
The REACH Fees and Charges (Amendment of Commission Regulation (EC) No 340/2008) Regulations 2025 which came into force on 1st April 2025 amends various fees and charges associated with the registration, authorisation and notification processes.
The table below shows the fee changes for registrations submitted under Article 6, 7 or 11 of the principal Regulations, with fees being simplified, and in many cases reduced. Changes to wider fees payable for registrations, authorisations and notifications are listed in the 2025 Regulations here.
| Criteria | Individual submission | Joint submission | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previous fee | New fee | Previous fee | New fee | |
| Large businesses | ||||
| 1 – 10 tonnes per year | £1,518 | £2,222 | £1,138 | £2,222 |
| 10 – 100 tonnes per year | £4,080 | £3,061 | ||
| 100 – 1,000 tonnes per year | £10,913 | £8,185 | ||
| 1,000 tonnes+ per year | £29,419 | £22,064 | ||
| Medium enterprises | ||||
| 1 – 10 tonnes per year | £987 | £740 | £740 | £740 |
| 10 – 100 tonnes per year | £2,652 | £1,990 | ||
| 100 – 1,000 tonnes per year | £7,094 | £5,320 | ||
| 1,000 tonnes+ per year | £19,122 | £14,342 | ||
| Small enterprises | ||||
| 1 – 10 tonnes per year | £532 | £399 | £399 | £399 |
| 10 – 100 tonnes per year | £1,428 | £1,071 | ||
| 100 – 1,000 tonnes per year | £3,819 | £2,865 | ||
| 1,000 tonnes+ per year | £10,297 | £7,723 | ||
| Micro enterprises | ||||
| 1 – 10 tonnes per year | £76 | £57 | £57 | £57 |
| 10 – 100 tonnes per year | £204 | £153 | ||
| 100 – 1,000 tonnes per year | £546 | £409 | ||
| 1,000 tonnes+ per year | £1,471 | £1,103 | ||