Initiated as part of the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), one of the components of the Green Deal, the reform of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is continuing. The European Commission has just published an Implementing Regulation to amend the system of fees and charges payable to the Agency.
While the European Commission has just launched a final consultation on a “Basic Regulation” for ECHA, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2067, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 16, 2025, amends the system of fees and charges payable to the Agency under the REACH Regulation.
The purpose of this Regulation is to address issues arising from reduced and unpredictable fee income following the last registration deadline in 2018, and to increase the sustainability of ECHA financing.
It essentially provides for two measures:
• an adjustment for inflation: fees will now reflect a cumulative increase in inflation of 19.5% between 2021 and 2023 (in line with figures published by Eurostat), except for fees applicable to SMEs;
• the modification of the SME verification process: it changes the verification process from an ex post system to an ex ante system, which will be implemented within 15 months.
ECHA advice for SMEs
In a press release published on the same day as the text was published, ECHA specifies that: • the 19.5% increase in fees will apply from November 5, 2025;
• the SME validation process will change on February 5, 2027, and micro, small, and medium-sized …
