Key takeaway
What This Development Means
ECHA has launched its reporting system for microplastics emissions under the REACH restriction. With deadlines beginning in May 2026, companies using or supplying SPMs in exempted applications must act now to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
Who needs to submit microplastics emissions reports to ECHA?
Manufacturers, importers, and industrial downstream users of synthetic polymer microparticles must submit annual emissions reports if they use SPMs in ways exempted under the EU restriction. This includes suppliers placing SPM-containing products on the EU market for the first time.
What are synthetic polymer microparticles and why are they restricted?
SPMs are small plastic particles under 5mm intentionally added to products. The EU bans most uses due to environmental risks, but some uses are still permitted. Reporting ensures transparency and effectiveness of risk management for these remaining applications.
Source basis: Source
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced it is ready to receive annual reports on microplastics emissions under the EU-wide restriction. From 2026, manufacturers and suppliers must report estimated emissions from certain uses of synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) that are exempt from the microplastics ban. The first deadline is 31 May 2026, covering calendar year 2025 .
This obligation applies under the REACH Regulation (Entry 78 of Annex XVII), which came into effect in October 2023. The aim is to improve environmental oversight and enforce risk management for uses of microplastics that are still permitted, such as in medicinal products, industrial processes, and specific consumer applications.
WHO Must Report And When
The reporting requirement applies to various actors across the supply chain:
- By 31 May 2026: Manufacturers and industrial downstream users of SPMs used in pellet, flake or powder form at industrial sites.
- By 31 May 2027: All other manufacturers, industrial users and suppliers placing SPM-containing products on the market for the first time for consumer or professional use.
Each legal entity must report emissions for the previous calendar year, regardless of how small the quantities are. Reporting includes emissions during manufacture, use, transportation, and until end use—but excludes the waste stage.
Key Elements Of The Report
Reports must be submitted in IUCLID format through ECHA’s REACH-IT portal. Required information includes:
- Type of use (selected from a predefined list)
- Applicable derogations (e.g. medicinal, veterinary, or in vitro diagnostics)
- Sector of use and product category
- Technical function of SPM
- Estimated emissions to the environment, expressed in tonnes or kilograms
- Generic polymer identity (e.g. polyethylene, acrylics, silicones)
Companies can choose to estimate emissions either by the total quantity of particles containing SPM or the SPM content only, with supporting concentration ranges.
Implications Across The Value Chain
This regulation impacts a broad range of professionals:
- Manufacturers and formulators must assess and report their process emissions.
- Importers and suppliers of SPM-containing products must estimate downstream emissions.
- Retailers and distributors, while not directly responsible for reporting, should be aware of their role in the supply chain for compliance tracking.
ECHA is offering support through a detailed IUCLID manual, a video tutorial, and a pre-filled dataset to streamline submissions .
Prepare Now To Avoid Penalties
Affected entities are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the reporting tools and emission estimation methodologies. Tools such as OECD emission scenario documents, ERCs and SPERCs are recommended for standardised calculations.
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