▪︎ REACH
UK-REACH: Government backtracks on ATRm data requirements
The British government has announced adjustments to the „Alternative Transitional Registration Model“ (ATRm) for UK-REACH. By turning away from additional data requirements, it is responding to ongoing criticism from the chemical industry and at the same time focusing more on regulatory alignment with the EU.
The UK government has revised its Alternative Transitional Registration Model (ATRm) under UK REACH, confirming that no additional use and exposure data will be required at the point of registration. This adjustment follows strong opposition from industry and reflects the intention to reduce regulatory burdens while aligning more closely with EU REACH decisions.
Lower data requirements and financial relief
The ATRm covers around 20,000 substances that were already on the UK market under EU REACH at the time of Brexit. The revised model is intended to significantly reduce the costs of re‑registration. Without the ATRm, the current registration requirements ─ applicable to substances newly placed on the Great Britain market ─ would also apply to transitional registrations. This could result in one‑off costs of around £2 billion for industry by 2030.
Companies are required to submit hazard conclusions, chemical safety assessments (CSA) and chemical safety reports (CSR), as well as participate in substance information groups. No additional use or exposure information is required unless specifically requested by the regulator.
Ongoing concerns across the sector
Despite cost reductions, industry groups remain concerned about future obligations, particularly potential data requests during transitional evaluations and tight registration timelines from 2029 onwards. Several industry associations are calling for the ATRm system to be abolished entirely and for the UK to instead adopt the Swiss model, which does not require a separate registration obligation and largely follows EU decisions.
Environmental organisations are also urging caution: any reduction in data requirements would only be justifiable if the United Kingdom consistently remains aligned with the EU in its regulatory assessments.
Defra has announced a further consultation on the implementation of the proposed legislation in order to further improve cost savings and legal certainty.
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