UK REACH Update

DEFRA working alongside the HSE have identified following 5 Priorities for the 2022 to 2023 UK REACH work programme: 

  1. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – acting on the recommendations of an ongoing RMOA, due for publication in summer 2022. 
  2. Intentionally added microplastics – an evidence project on identifying and managing the risks they pose.
  3. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers in articles – an RMOA to review the evidence base and evaluate a potential restriction. 
  4. Bisphenols in thermal paper – an RMOA to review the evidence base and evaluate a potential restriction. 
  5. Hazardous flame retardants – reviewing and updating the existing evidence on potential environmental risks, to feed into wider chemicals policy. 

HSE actively engage with anyone interested in UK REACH work and welcome involvement from businesses, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and other interested groups. This ensures that the undertaken activities take account of relevant views and are evidence based. If you wish to get involved with UK REACH visit: https://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/get-involved.htm 

The draft statutory instrument (SI) for extending the UK REACH submission deadlines was laid before Parliament on Thursday 20th April 2023. This will impact on the deadlines as shown (subject to UK Parliament approval): 

27th October 2026 (+3 years from 27th October 2023)
  • Substances at 1,000 tonnes or more per year 
  • Substances classified as CMR (cat. 1A or 1B) – 1 tonne or more per year 
  • Substances classified as aquatic acute (cat. 1) or aquatic chronic (cat. 1) – 100 tonnes or more per year 
  • Candidate list substances (as at 31st December 2023) 

 
27th October 2028 (+3 years from 27th October 2025)
  • Substances at 100 tonnes or more per year 
  • Candidate list substances (as at 27th October 2026) 

 
27th October 2030 (+3 years from 27th October 2027)
  • Substances at 1 tonnes or more per year 


Goal 4 of DEFRA’s Environmental Improvement Plan is concerned with managing exposure to chemicals and pesticides. This will create a developing chemical strategy through four themes. 

  • Priority Chemicals Issues and Emerging Risks 
  • Regulation 
  • Managing Chemicals Throughout their Lifecycle
  • International  

The chemical strategy, to be published in 2023 will set out an approach to regulation that is risk-based, while also adhering to the environmental principles policy statement enshrined in the Environment Act and how DEFRA will continue to use UK REACH to evaluate and manage the risks of chemicals. For more information contact DEFRA.