REACH in 2025: Why Compliance Is a Moving Target
If you sell products in the European Union, you’ve probably heard of REACH. It stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals. Sounds straightforward enough, but here’s the catch: REACH isn’t static. It changes constantly, which makes it one of the trickiest compliance challenges for businesses to keep up with.
Why REACH is different
Most regulations hand you a list of rules and say, “follow these.” With REACH, the rules evolve as new substances of concern are added to the list. That means even if you were fully compliant last year, you might already be out of date this year.
For example, the EU keeps adding substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). In 2025, more chemicals are expected to be added, especially those linked to health risks and environmental damage. Every addition means you may need to revisit your testing, your product documentation, and your supplier communications.
Common mistakes companies make
Treating REACH as one-and-done. Compliance is not permanent—it’s ongoing.
Relying only on supplier declarations. Suppliers may not be tracking updates closely, and if they miss something, you’re still liable.
Ignoring communication duties. If your products contain SVHCs above thresholds, you must inform customers and sometimes regulators. Forgetting this step can result in fines and reputational harm.
Why REACH matters more in 2025
Consumers are demanding safer products, and regulators are raising the bar. Non-compliance doesn’t just mean fines, it can mean being shut out of the EU market entirely. In sectors like electronics, automotive, and consumer goods, that’s not just inconvenient—it’s a business killer.
How to stay on top of REACH
Stay updated. Track EU announcements so you know when new substances are added.
Test strategically. Use risk-based testing instead of waiting for surprises.
Build strong supplier engagement. Make sure your suppliers know compliance is a shared responsibility.
Keep clean documentation. If regulators come knocking, paperwork is your shield.
REACH compliance is not a box you tick. It’s a moving target that requires ongoing attention. Companies that accept this reality and build systems around it avoid last-minute chaos and gain an edge with customers who value safe, sustainable products.
At The 3TGs, we help businesses stay ahead of REACH updates without drowning in paperwork. From supplier communication to testing strategies, we make compliance manageable and reliable.
Want to stop worrying about every new REACH update? Reach out to us at info@3tgs.org and delegate compliance with confidence.
