Identify the need to register

Decide if your substance is within the scope of REACH and needs to be registered.  Our REACHScope tool is designed to help!

Assemble information for pre-registration

Gathering this information is likely to be a relatively simple process: click here to see the separate note on the pre-registration information requirements.

Submit pre-registration to the Agency

Pre-registration permits longer deadlines for full registration depending on the properties of the substance and the production volume.  There was a 6-month period of pre-registration for in-scope "phase-in" substances, which closed on 1 December 2008. 

A manufacturer or importer who commences manufacture or import at or above the one tonne annual threshold after the close of the pre-registration period may still take advantage of the longer deadline concession, providing the company submits the pre-registration information at least 12 months before the expiry of the registration deadline.

Identify information requirements

Identify information requirements (click here for details) for full registration and, if pre-registered, identify the appropriate tonnage band deadline for submission (click here for details) and any other non-tonnage specific requirements such as the provision of safety data sheets for hazardous substances.  REACHReady can help with this through our helpdesk.

Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) activities

A SIEF exists to fill data gaps through the sharing of information, thereby avoiding the duplication of any animal testing.  You will need to identify the data you are missing in order to complete your registration dossier and develop proposals for sharing the results of testing, which may mean accessing pre-existing data that is owned by another SIEF participant.  You may also need to revise classification and labeling if necessary (click here for further information).

Registration preparation

Prepare your dossier to reflect your production quantities and the uses of your substance.  You will need to do this in co-operation with your customers (click here for further information).

Our REACHMatchmaker service can help you to find suppliers to undertake the work necessary to produce the information for your dossier.

Registration submission

You are obliged to submit your completed registration dossier as part of a joint registration (click here for further information), unless you can demonstrate that there are grounds for you undertaking a separate submission (REACHReady Gold subscribers can download our consortia guidance document from our website for details).

Depending on the time of submission, the Agency will have a specific period in which to reject the registration, once this period has expired the registration process can be regarded as complete.  You are then able to manufacture or import the substance in accordance with REACH.

Review

It is important to establish a review procedure to maintain knowledge of your substance and its uses to ensure that your registration is updated as new information emerges.

Even once registered, a substance can be subject to regulatory review under Evaluation.

In addition to registration, certain substances of high concern will require a use-specific authorisation.  The use of some hazardous substances could also be restricted.  Safer alternatives to authorised substances should be considered as an authorisation may not be renewed if a suitable, safer, substitute is available.

Our Silver and Gold subscribers can download our REACH the basics information in pdf form from the Technical Downloads section of our website - for access either "Join for free", or "Login" if you're already a REACHReady subscriber.