ECHA publishes a tutorial on reporting microplastics emissions

ECHA publishes a tutorial on reporting microplastics emissions The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a practical tutorial explaining how to prepare and submit the reports required under the European Union’s microplastics restriction. The material provides step-by-step guidance on how to complete and submit dossiers through IUCLID and REACH-IT.

New reporting obligations arising from the microplastics restriction

The microplastics restriction introduced under Regulation (EC) Nº1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) establishes reporting obligations for certain manufacturers, industrial users and other operators using synthetic polymer microparticles covered by the provisions of Annex XVII. To facilitate compliance with these requirements, ECHA has published a video tutorial demonstrating the complete process for preparing, validating and submitting the required reports.

The training covers key aspects of the reporting process, including identifying operators subject to reporting obligations, the information that must be included in the dossier, the use of IUCLID Cloud to prepare reports and their submission through REACH-IT. It also explains how to update previously submitted dossiers and where to find the supporting documentation published by ECHA.

Reporting timeline

The restriction establishes a system for periodic emissions reporting for certain manufacturers and industrial users. The first reporting cycle covers information on emissions generated during 2025, with a submission deadline of 31 May 2026. Thereafter, notifications must be submitted on an annual basis.

In addition, reporting obligations will progressively be extended to other uses of microplastics, with the first reports for these uses due from 2027, in accordance with the timeline established under the restriction.

This tutorial complements the resources published by ECHA to help companies comply with the new obligations arising from the microplastics restriction. For an overview of the reporting requirements, readers can also consult our previous article on the countdown to the first annual microplastics report in the EU, which summarises the main deadlines and obligations established by the legislation.

More information is available on the official website of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).