Through the REACH-IT system, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) declared on February 18, 2025, that it will change the format of the EC Number/List Number, the primary substance identifier. The format is now “xxx-xxx-x” (for example, “242-xxx-x” or “212-xxx-x”). However, ECHA will switch to an alphabetic format while keeping the original length because the current 7-digit numerical format is about to run out. The structure of the new format will be something like “A00-000-0.”

Preparing for EU REACH Registration

Companies that produce or import more than one tonne of chemical substances annually in the EU substances alone, in mixes, or purposefully discharged from articles are required by the EU REACH Regulation to submit a registration dossier to ECHA. Manufacturing, importing, or selling the chemical within the EU shall be prohibited if noncompliance occurs. 

Key Steps for Compliance

1. Pre-registration Inquiry

All businesses, pre-registered or not, must use the REACH-IT system to submit an inquiry to ECHA prior to formal registration. To acquire current registration data and ascertain whether a joint submission is required, this step is essential. The IUCLID software must be used to prepare the inquiry dossier.

2. Joint Submission vs. Individual Submission

Requirement for Joint Submission: Several businesses who manufacture or sell the same product must submit together. To exchange information, divide expenses, and coordinate classification and labeling, a Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) needs to be set up. 

Lead Registrant (LR) Process:

• The LR submits the registration dossier before the deadline.

• Other registrants submit their dossiers after the LR’s dossier passes ECHA’s business rule validation.

• Registration numbers are issued to the LR once ECHA confirms fee payment. Other registrants receive numbers after their dossiers are deemed complete.

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