Manufacturing & Engineering UK-wide

UK REACH Chemical Compliance

Understand and comply with UK REACH chemical registration requirements for manufacturers and importers.

Guide summary

If you make or import 1 tonne or more a year of a chemical in Great Britain, you must register it with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Fees start at £57 (micro business) and go up to £2,222 (large company). Deadlines for transferring your EU registration depend on how much you make or import – the earliest proposed deadline is 27 October 2029.

  • Register chemicals with HSE if you make or import 1 tonne or more per year
  • Check grandfathering deadlines: 27 Oct 2029, 2030 or 2031 (subject to 2026 law)
  • Pay registration fee: £2,222 (large), £740 (medium), £399 (small), £57 (micro)
  • Create a REACH IT account on the HSE website to submit your dossier
  • Share chemical data with other companies if you register the same substance
  • Update safety data sheets with your UK REACH number before selling
  • Report your actual tonnage each year – late reporting can mean unlimited fines
  • Failing to register can lead to fines up to £20,000 or prison
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Related guides in COSHH

UK REACH regulates the manufacture, import, and use of chemicals in Great Britain. If you manufacture or import 1 tonne or more per year of a chemical substance, you must register it with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

UK REACH vs EU REACH

UK REACH is separate from EU REACH following Brexit. Businesses must register separately with HSE for the GB market. Substances already registered under EU REACH need separate UK registration ('grandfathering' has transitional deadlines).