EU: REACH registration of nanomaterials – ensure your products comply

ECHA has announced that it has only received approximately 10% of the expected number of nanomaterial REACH registrations since the new rules came into force on 1 January 2020. To date, only 95 registration submissions for 36 substances have been received, compared to the 300 substances expected. This lack of submissions is raising concerns with ECHA that there may be products on the European market illegally.

As defined by the European Commission, nanomaterials are ‘substances or materials with particle sizes between 1 to 100 nanometres in at least one direction’. Examples of substances produced as nanomaterials include titanium dioxide, iron and silver, which can be used in paints, car care products, coatings, surface treatments, colorants, cosmetics, textiles and catalysts.

Due to differences in the physiochemical properties of a nanomaterial compared to a larger particle of the same material, the nanomaterial itself is subject to both the REACH and CLP Regulation within Europe to ensure its safe use.

Furthermore, ECHA has indicated that half of the submitted dossiers have failed the technical completeness check. To help applicants with the submission process, ECHA has produced a webinar providing practical advice for applicants registering nanomaterials.

TSG can help

If you manufacture or import nanomaterial substances into the EU then you may be subject to the REACH and CLP Regulations. Our team of regulatory and scientific experts are experienced in nanomaterial dossier submissions and can help with dossier compilation, dossier submission and assisting in passing the technical completeness check.