ECHA publishes guidance for microplastics reporting and releases the dedicated IUCLID Tool

On 26 November 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that companies may begin submitting their annual reports on microplastics emissions, as required under Restriction No. 78 of Annex XVII of REACH Regulation, introduced by Regulation (EU) 2023/2055.

The first reports must be submitted by 31 May 2026.

In particular:

• From 2026 onwards (by 31 May each year): Manufacturers and industrial downstream users of synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM) in the form of pellets, flakes and powders used as raw materials in the manufacture of plastics at industrial sites must report information on their uses, polymer identity, estimated releases for the previous calendar year and the applicable derogation.
• From 2027 onwards (by 31 May each year): Other manufacturers of SPM and other industrial downstream users that use SPM at industrial sites must report the same information.
• From 2027 onwards (by 31 May each year): Suppliers of products containing SPM that benefit from the derogations laid down in paragraph 4, points (b) (medicinal products), (d) (food additives) and (e) (in vitro diagnostic devices), and paragraph 5, placed on the market for the first time for professional users and consumers, must report information on end uses, polymer identity, estimated releases for the previous calendar year and the relevant derogations.

The dossier must be prepared in IUCLID format and submitted through the REACH-IT platform. The report must include: polymer identity, use, industrial site (where relevant), the applicable derogation and an estimate of releases.

According to the guidance published by ECHA — provided as a complement to the restriction — the objective is to monitor releases, improve the database available to authorities and support effective risk management for the remaining uses of microplastics.

Implications for companies

• Companies operating in the chemical sector that use SPM or place on the market products containing synthetic polymer microparticles exempted from the ban must verify whether they fall within the scope of the reporting obligations and begin preparing their data in view of the 31 May 2026 deadline.
• It is advisable to immediately start collecting the required information in a structured manner (polymer types, quantities, production processes, sites, uses) and to establish an internal system for controlling and tracking releases.

Normachem is available to support companies in assessing the applicability of the restriction and defining the related obligations, as well as in preparing emission estimates according to specific uses and in submitting notifications to ECHA.