European forum to target imports in next REACH enforcement project

HELSINKI, Finland—The Enforcement Forum of the European Chemicals Agency is to focus on the import of substances, mixtures and articles in its next European Union-wide REACH enforcement project.

As part of the project, ECHA will investigate how companies fulfill the registration, authorization and restriction obligations for products and chemicals they import from outside the EU, the agency said Nov. 16.

The investigation was triggered by "high levels of non-compliance" in imported goods detected in previous projects, including a recent pilot project, according to Helsinki-based ECHA.

The pilot study found that 23 percent of inspected products were non-compliant with requirements set by EU regulations, making further controls necessary.

The project will be carried out from 2023-25 and will require "close cooperation" between REACH enforcement and national customs authorities in the member states.

"Control of imports at the point of entry is the most effective means of checking that non-compliant substances, mixtures and articles do not enter the European market," ECHA said.

European industries, including the tire and rubber sector, have long expressed concerns about a lack of regulatory enforcement allowing non-compliant imports to the region—particularly given the high cost of meeting the requirements of REACH and other EU regulations according to the European organization.