Recent IUCLID 6 Update
9 July 2025
The latest IUCLID 6 release has been available since May 2025, introducing several major changes to the structure and format of the dossiers to be submitted. The IUCLID update was also discussed in the IUCLID subgroup of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Pesticide Steering Network meeting in June 2025.
Among the most significant changes are:
- Revised admissibility checklist providing guidance to applicants and Member States.
- Revised version of the User Guide on Confidentiality, with a stronger focus on confidentiality-related issues regarding the submission and processing of requests.
EFSA plans to release updated manuals by the end of July 2025, except for those on microorganisms, which are expected in the fall.
UK REACH: Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm)
25 June 2025
UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) was established post-Brexit to replace the EU REACH regulation. In May 2024 the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposed a significant change to the regulation, namely the Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm). The aim of the ATRm was to reduce the costs and complexity for companies by allowing them to register chemicals with less reliance on duplicating expensive EU REACH data, particularly vertebrate animal studies. A public consultaiton on the proposal was run from 16th May 2024 to 25th July 2024. Since the closure of the public consultation there has been no further communications from DEFRA on this matter.
At recent official events, DEFRA confirmed that they could not provide clarity on the future of the ATRm or any potential extension of the registration deadlines at this moment in time. DEFRA ask for patience and assure that an announcement will be made soon, within the year.
This means uncertainty for the industry. We recommend submitting inquiry dossiers where possible, as this provides visibility into which companies are in a substance group. Companies impacted by the first registration deadline should continue planning for it, but nothing should be submitted without clarity from DEFRA.
Aside from that, all the stakeholders can do is wait for DEFRA’s announcement. Please reach out to our experts if you have any questions.
SCC's archives re-confirmed as GLP compliant
16 June 2025
We are pleased to announce that we have successfully passed the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) inspection, confirming our status as a certified contract archive that performs archiving in compliance with the GLP principles.
Our company was the first officially accredited archive in Germany to receive certification, which we obtained in 2004. Prior to the most recent inspection, which took place in January 2025, we had further expanded our archiving capacities which were also successfully certified by the authorities.
On 2 May 2025, following the inspection, the Landesamt für Umwelt in Mainz, Germany, issued a GLP compliance statement. The national GLP Compliance Program requires regular inspections every three years. Visit our GLP website to learn more about our services.
UK REACH: HSE Updated Fees and Charges
31 March 2025
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a new Statutory Instrument regarding updated fees and charges under UK REACH (Amendment of Commission Regulation (EC) No 340/2008). The changes significantly reduce most of the fees associated with UK REACH submissions, particularly for SMEs. The changes will take effect from 1st April 2025 and primarily affect the following:
Upcoming CLP Deadline: Potential Impact on REACH Dossier Updates
31 January 2025
The Delegated Regulation on CLP, (EU) 2024/197, amending Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 and enforced since April 2023, introduced new hazard classes:
- Endocrine disruption for human health, Category 1 and 2
- Endocrine disruption for the environment, Category 1 and 2
- PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic) and vPvB (very persistent and very bioaccumulative)
- PMT (persistent, mobile and toxic) and vPvM (very persistent and very mobile).
The new requirements apply to substances placed on the market for the first time on or after 1 May 2025, including new quantities of substances already on the market before that cut-off date. Substances that were placed on the market before 1 May 2025, and are already in the supply chain, do not need to be reclassified or relabelled until 1 November 2026.
From 1 May 2026 at the latest, mixtures that are placed on the market for the first time, including new quantities of mixtures already on the market before that date, must comply with the new rules. Mixtures that were placed on the market before 1 May 2026, and are already in the supply chain, are not required to be reclassified or relabelled until 1 May 2028.
In case of changes in the classification and labeling of the registered substance due to the new hazard classes, the REACH registration dossier must be updated within 6 months from the date when the decision to change the substance's classification and labelling was taken (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Art. 22(1) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1435). This includes the CSR update and the reevaluation of the CSA. Changes to the classification and labelling of the registered substance should be communicated in the SDS.
Contact our experts if you need help assessing the endocrine disruptive (ED), persistent, mobile or bioaccumulative properties of your substances and mixtures.
New Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste
27 January 2025
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 January 2025. It will enter into force on 11 February 2025 and apply from 12 August 2026.
This regulation replaces the previous Directive 94/62/EC and introduces stricter obligations focused on a circular economy. It applies to all packaging, regardless of the material used, and to all packaging waste, regardless of whether it comes from industry, commerce, offices, services or households.
The aim of the regulation is to regulate the entire life cycle of packaging in order to minimise its impact on the environment and protect human health. This includes measures to prevent packaging waste, promote reuse and recycling and reduce the use of primary raw materials. It also defines the requirements for the design of packaging to improve its reusability and recyclability.
A central element of the regulation is the introduction of harmonised rules for the entire life cycle of packaging, including requirements for environmental compatibility and labelling, to enable it to be placed on the market. It also sets out requirements for extended producer responsibility, the prevention of packaging waste, the reuse or refilling of packaging and the collection and treatment, including recycling, of packaging waste.
The regulation also sets targets for the reuse and recycling of packaging. For example, certain quotas for the reuse of packaging are to be achieved by 2030. In addition, the regulation sets requirements for the minimum content of recycled plastic in certain packaging.