Finance Editor, Kael Tripton Ltd - LBS MBA - Verified against FCA Handbook: 14 June 2026
Quick answer
UK REACH requires manufacturers and importers of chemicals in Great Britain to register substances with the HSE at 1 tonne or more per year. Administered by the HSE, UK REACH mirrors EU REACH post-Brexit. Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) require notification when present in products above 0.1%. Registration deadlines have been extended to October 2026 for most substances.
What Is UK REACH and Who Does It Apply To?
Direct answer
What is UK REACH and what must UK businesses do?
UK REACH (hse.gov.uk/reach) requires businesses that manufacture or import chemical substances in Great Britain at 1 tonne or more per year to register with the HSE. EU REACH registrations made before 31 December 2020 were grandfathered as Transitional Registrations and must be converted to full UK REACH registrations. Substances of Very High Concern above 0.1% in products require HSE notification and supply chain communication.
Identify all chemical substances you manufacture or import
Create an inventory of substances, including those in mixtures and articles that release chemicals during use.
Check UK REACH registration requirements
For substances at 1 tonne or more per year, check your registration status on the HSE REACH database at hse.gov.uk/reach.
Convert EU REACH transitional registrations
If you held EU REACH registrations before Brexit, check whether your Transitional Registrations need converting to full UK REACH registrations.
Check the SVHC Candidate List
Check all substances against the current UK REACH Candidate List. If any product contains more than 0.1% of a Candidate List substance, notify the HSE and inform customers.
Contact the HSE REACH Help Desk
For substance-specific queries: hse.gov.uk/reach or reach@hse.gov.uk.
| UK REACH obligation | Who it applies to | Deadline/threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Manufacturers/importers at 1 tonne/year+ | October 2026 (extended) |
| SVHC notification | Downstream users with SVHC in products | 0.1% threshold by weight |
| Supply chain communication | Suppliers of products with SVHCs | Ongoing -- when SVHC added to Candidate List |
| Transitional Registration conversion | Former EU REACH registrants | October 2026 |
| Authorisation for restricted SVHCs | Users of substances on Authorisation List | Before authorisation expiry |
Related KT guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UK REACH?
UK REACH (UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the UK's domestic chemicals regulation framework, established under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 following Brexit. UK REACH mirrors the requirements of EU REACH (Regulation EC 1907/2006) but is administered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Great Britain. UK REACH requires businesses that manufacture, import or use chemicals in Great Britain to register those substances with the HSE.
Who does UK REACH apply to?
UK REACH applies to manufacturers, importers and downstream users of chemical substances in Great Britain. If you manufacture or import a chemical substance at 1 tonne or more per year, you must register it with the HSE under UK REACH. Substances on their own, in mixtures, or in articles (products that release chemicals during normal use) may all be subject to registration requirements. Certain substances are exempt, including radioactive substances, waste, substances under customs supervision, and substances used for national defence.
How does UK REACH differ from EU REACH?
EU REACH registrations made before 31 December 2020 were grandfathered into UK REACH (called Transitional Registrations). These must be converted to full UK REACH registrations. The UK REACH registration deadline for most substances was 27 October 2026 (extended from 2023 and 2025). Companies that only supply to Great Britain use the HSE's UK REACH Enquiry Service. Companies supplying to both GB and the EU need separate registrations under both UK REACH and EU REACH.
What are Substances of Very High Concern under UK REACH?
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are chemicals that may have serious effects on human health or the environment. They include carcinogens, mutagens, substances toxic to reproduction, persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances, and very persistent/very bioaccumulative substances. Under UK REACH, SVHCs are placed on the Candidate List. Downstream users must notify the HSE if their products contain more than 0.1% by weight of a Candidate List substance, and suppliers must provide safety information.
What are the penalties for UK REACH non-compliance?
UK REACH is enforced by the HSE in Great Britain. Non-compliance with registration requirements, SVHC notification or supply chain communication obligations can result in enforcement notices, improvement notices, and prosecution. The penalties are set under the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008. The HSE publishes enforcement actions on its website.
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