Registration and deadlines

You need only register the substances contained in your articles if the following applies

• The substance is present in those articles in quantities totalling over 1 tonne per producer or importer per year.
• The substance is intended to be released under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Examples include dyes in printer ink, scents in scented candles or cleaning detergents released by cleaning cloths.

The ECHA can decide that importers of articles must submit a registration dossier for a certain substance if the following conditions are met:

• The substance is present in those articles in quantities totalling over 1 tonne per producer or importer per year.
• The ECHA has grounds for suspecting that the substance is released from the articles and that the release of the substance from the articles presents a risk to human health or the environment.

Examples of the above are dyes in textiles or additives in plastics (softeners, flame retardants etc. but also contaminants) which are known to be released and may have harmful effects.

Unless registered the substances purchased or manufactured may no longer be used or placed on the market.

Registration is effected in a centralised database. A newly set-up central European agency will receive the registration dossiers, enter and manage the data in a database and provide non-confidential information to the general public.

The following applies to the substances included in articles: manufacturers or importers must submit a registration dossier for the substances included in their articles if the following conditions are met:

• The substance is present in those articles in quantities totalling over 1 tonne per year.
• The substance is intended to be released under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Under REACH, companies manufacturing or importing a chemical in quantities exceeding one tonne per year must assess the substance for its effects on human health and the environment.

Under REACH, registration deadlines are graduated by tonnage:

• Substances in quantities of 1000t/a and more must be registered within 3.5 years of the coming into effect of the regulation (i.e. by 1 December 2010)
• Substances in quantities of 100t/a and more must be registered within 6 years of the coming into effect of the regulation (i.e. by 1 June 2013)
• Substances in quantities of > 1 t/a must be registered within 11 years of the coming into effect of the regulation (by 1 June 2018).

CMR substances (cancerogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction ) above 1 t/a and substances classified as highly toxic to the environment R50-53 above 100 t/a must also be registered within the first 3.5 years of the regulation coming into effect.