ECHA’s 2024 Evaluation Update: Compliance Gaps and Industry Risks

Increased Compliance Checks and Data Requests

In 2024, ECHA evaluated nearly 2,000 registrations, prioritising high-volume chemicals (≥100 tonnes per year) and substances with potential hazards. The agency issued:

• 208 compliance check decisions targeting data gaps in hazard assessments.
• 161 testing proposal reviews, leading to 92 adopted decisions.
• 241 follow-up evaluations, with 30% of cases escalated to national enforcement authorities due to non-compliance.

For high-volume substances, ECHA checked 34% of dossiers to ensure safety data remains up to date. Businesses dealing with these chemicals must reassess their registration dossiers and respond to ECHA’s data requests promptly.

Key Regulatory Actions and Industry Implications

ECHA’s findings signal stricter enforcement of REACH compliance. The agency has adopted three substance evaluation decisions requesting further data on substances of concern. Additionally, the Joint Evaluation Action Plan (2019–2024) has concluded, shifting focus to enforcement and follow-up measures.

Industries relying on chemicals under scrutiny—such as manufacturing, coatings, and plastics—should prepare for possible regulatory restrictions or reclassification. Companies failing to meet data submission deadlines risk market exclusion, supply chain disruptions, and reputational damage.

Next Steps for Registrants

To stay compliant, businesses should:

• Review and update REACH dossiers to address data gaps.
• Monitor ECHA’s follow-up actions on the Joint Evaluation Action Plan.
• Engage with regulatory bodies and ensure timely responses to information requests.

As enforcement efforts increase, proactive compliance strategies will be critical in maintaining market access and avoiding penalties.