Understanding the format, verification, and importance of REACH registration numbers in the European Union chemical regulatory framework.
The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation that requires all companies manufacturing or importing chemical substances into the EU in quantities of one tonne or more per year to register these substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
After successful registration, companies receive a REACH registration number which serves as proof of compliance with the REACH regulation. This number is crucial for the legal manufacturing, importing, and marketing of chemicals in the EU.
Important: As of April 2025, the last REACH registration deadline was May 31, 2018, for all substances manufactured or imported at quantities of 1 tonne or more per year. Any substances not registered by this deadline cannot be legally manufactured or imported into the EU market without prior registration.
A REACH registration number is an 18-digit number with a specific structure that provides information about the registration type and other details. Understanding this format is essential for verification purposes.
The REACH registration number follows this format:
TYPE(2 digits) - BASE No.(10 digits) - CHECKSUM(2 digits) - INDEX No.(4 digits)
| TYPE (2 digits) |
Indicates the type of registration under REACH:
|
| BASE No. (10 digits) | A unique identifier for the substance |
| CHECKSUM (2 digits) | A verification code to ensure the number's integrity |
| INDEX No. (4 digits) | Identifies specific registrants or submissions for the same substance |
Example: 01-2119473866-17-0001
Note: Pre-registration numbers (starting with 05 or 17) were only valid for a specific period and must have been fully registered before their deadline, which depended on the substance's tonnage band. As of 2025, all phase-in deadlines have passed, and pre-registration numbers are no longer valid for placing substances on the market.
REACH registration numbers are communicated through various channels to ensure transparency in the supply chain while protecting confidential business information.
The REACH registration number must be included in Section 1 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for registered substances. However, to protect confidential business information, suppliers may choose to hide the last 4 digits (INDEX No.) of the registration number when communicating it via SDS.
Example of a partially hidden registration number: 01-2119473866-17-xxxx
This partial disclosure is permitted by REACH while still providing enough information for downstream users to verify that the substance has been registered.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) maintains a public database where information about registered substances can be accessed. This portal allows verification of registration status but does not display full registration numbers to protect confidentiality.
You can search for registered substances by:
The ECHA dissemination portal is available at: ECHA Registered Substances
Verifying the validity of REACH registration numbers is crucial for ensuring compliance throughout the supply chain. There are several methods to check whether a registration number is valid.
1. ECHA Website Check
EU importers should verify registration numbers on the ECHA website when receiving them from suppliers. If a registration number appears in the INACTIVE column on ECHA's registration page, it is invalid and cannot be used.
2. Submission Report
The most reliable way to verify a registration number's validity is to examine the original submission report issued by ECHA, which contains:
3. Direct Contact with Supplier
If in doubt, downstream users can request confirmation from their suppliers about the validity of registration numbers, especially if only partial numbers are provided in the SDS.
Registration numbers may become invalid for several reasons:
When a registration becomes invalid, the substance can no longer be legally manufactured or imported into the EU market under that registration.
Under REACH, companies registering the same substance are required to submit their registration jointly to reduce costs and animal testing. This process, known as joint submission, affects how registration numbers are assigned.
For each substance, there is one joint submission made up of all companies required to register that substance. This joint submission is typically managed by:
Each company in a joint submission receives its own unique REACH registration number, even though they share much of the same data. The first 14 digits of the registration number (TYPE + BASE No. + CHECKSUM) will be identical for all members of a joint submission, while the last 4 digits (INDEX No.) will be unique to each registrant.
This system allows for identification of both the substance and the specific registrant.
Companies joining an existing registration typically purchase a "Letter of Access" (LoA) from the lead registrant or consortium, which grants them the right to refer to the joint submission data. After obtaining a LoA, a company can:
The cost of a Letter of Access is typically much lower than generating all the required data independently, making joint submission an economically advantageous approach.
Following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, the UK has established its own REACH regulatory system. This has implications for registration numbers and compliance requirements.
Companies that held EU REACH registrations before Brexit can "grandfather" these registrations into UK REACH by:
After completing this process, companies receive a UK REACH registration number that is distinct from their EU REACH registration number.
UK REACH registration numbers follow a similar format to EU REACH numbers but are issued by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) rather than ECHA. These numbers must be included in Section 1 of Safety Data Sheets for substances placed on the UK market.
Companies operating in both the EU and UK markets may need to maintain both EU REACH and UK REACH registrations, each with their own registration numbers.
For more information on UK REACH, visit: UK HSE REACH Information
REACH registration numbers are essential identifiers in the EU chemical regulatory system, providing proof of compliance and enabling traceability throughout the supply chain. Understanding their format, verification methods, and validity is crucial for all stakeholders involved in manufacturing, importing, or using chemicals in the European market.
As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, particularly with the development of separate UK REACH requirements, companies must stay informed about their obligations regarding registration numbers and ensure they maintain valid registrations for all substances they place on the market.
Remember: A valid REACH registration number is a legal requirement for manufacturing or importing substances in quantities of one tonne or more per year in the EU. Operating without proper registration can result in significant penalties and market restrictions.