'ECHA weekly' informed that enforcement authorities are checking imported products in 2024.
European enforcement authorities, in cooperation with customs, are investigating if companies fulfil their REACH registration and authorisation obligations for chemical products they import from outside the EU and the obligations related to restricted chemicals in articles.
The Enforcement Forum will coordinate this EU-wide enforcement project (REF-12) on imported substances, mixtures and articles that is aligned with the priorities of EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The checks will be carried out during 2024 and the results will be reported in 2025.
The project was agreed back in 2022 where it was agreed that the next REACH enforcement project will investigate how companies fulfil the registration, authorisation and restriction obligations for products and chemicals they import from outside the EU. The project will be done in 2023-2025 and will require close cooperation between REACH enforcement and national customs authorities in the Member States.
This subject was triggered by high levels of non-compliance in imported goods detected in previous Forum projects, including a recent pilot project. The pilot found that 23 % of inspected products were non-compliant with requirements set by EU law and further controls are necessary.
Control of imports at the point of entry is the most effective means of checking that non-compliant substances, mixtures and articles do not enter the European market. The project will also work on further developing and strengthening existing cooperation between REACH inspectors and customs. By strengthening the control of imports, the project will also contribute to the goals of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
EU-wide REACH enforcement project focussed on imported goods / November 2022
