The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has issued a critical update through its Enforcement Forum, sending a strong regulatory signal to chemical importers and manufacturers. The latest EU-wide inspection project uncovered widespread non-compliance, particularly among imported products, where missing registrations and restricted chemicals were frequently found.
This wave of enforcement activity highlights a major gap in REACH compliance for imported products and signals greater regulatory scrutiny ahead. For industry stakeholders, the message is clear: enforcement is tightening, and REACH non-compliance in imported products is no longer being overlooked.
The ECHA Enforcement Forum REACH inspection revealed that approximately one-third of substances in imported mixtures failed to meet EU REACH regulation import requirements. Many lacked proper registration, a fundamental requirement under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) framework.
Even small amounts of unregistered substances pose health and environmental risks. Without proper registration, regulators cannot evaluate the safety or risk profiles of chemicals entering the EU market, making REACH import enforcement more important than ever.
Alongside registration failures, the Enforcement Forum identified numerous cases where restricted hazardous chemicals exceeded allowed thresholds in imported consumer goods. This included elevated levels of heavy metals in imported jewellery, one of the areas frequently flagged in previous EU chemicals enforcement projects.
Such findings carry serious implications. Violations trigger corrective actions and could lead to market withdrawal, fines, or additional inspections. Companies exporting to the EU must go beyond documentation- chemical content must be verified through testing.
The Forum also flagged upcoming evaluations under the Community Rolling Action Plan, with 27 substances identified for scrutiny between 2026 and 2028. This signals where regulators may target future enforcement and compliance actions.
Companies dealing with these substances should begin reviewing safety data now, preparing for increased regulatory interaction.
The ECHA also confirmed a shift in prioritisation under its restriction processes. Authorisation applications involving hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a well-known carcinogen, will be temporarily paused. Instead, non-Cr(VI) substances will take priority, marking a broader shift in regulatory focus.
In line with the EU’s goals to reduce chemical risk, the agency opened a public consultation on the use of imidacloprid, a candidate for substitution under the Biocidal Products Regulation. This reflects a growing expectation that industry should not just comply but proactively transition to safer alternatives.
These developments show that European Chemicals Agency enforcement is evolving, targeting not just compliance gaps but also sustainability and chemical safety innovation.
The Forum also highlighted the launch of ECHA’s new Industry Portal, a digital platform for submitting notifications and compliance documents. Early adoption of these tools can streamline regulatory submissions and reduce administrative friction for businesses.
With rising pressure to demonstrate EU chemical compliance for imports, digital readiness is becoming an important part of modern compliance strategies.
These enforcement findings mark a turning point for the industry. To avoid penalties, supply disruptions, or reputational damage, companies must:
The regulatory landscape is becoming more interconnected. Cooperation between customs authorities and the ECHA is growing, and customs cooperation in REACH enforcement is likely to intensify - especially for high-risk categories such as jewellery and electronics.
Chemwatch supports global businesses in meeting EU chemical compliance for imports through robust regulatory tracking, substance registration guidance, and chemical risk analysis. Whether you're navigating REACH compliance for imported products, tracking restricted chemicals, or managing enforcement and compliance workflows, Chemwatch tools can help you stay compliant and confident. Our systems are built to help you respond to changing regulations, before enforcement reaches your doorstep.
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