Companies can start reporting to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) their annual microplastics releases under the EU’s microplastics restriction. These reporting obligations apply to uses that are exempt from the EU-wide ban. The first reports must be submitted by 31 May 2026 covering estimated emissions for year 2025.
Helsinki, 26 November 2025 – The latest releases of our chemical data software IUCLID and submission tool REACH-IT support companies in complying with the EU-wide microplastics restriction, which came into force in 2023.
The reporting system, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, ensures standardised and transparent data collection, enabling regulators to monitor emissions and assess the effectiveness of risk management measures. The data may also inform future policy decisions on microplastics.
Reporting obligations
The annual reporting obligation applies to uses of synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) that are exempt from the ban, such as in veterinary and human medicines, food additives, in vitro diagnostic devices, and uses at industrial sites. The obligations apply to manufacturers, importers and downstream users alike. Also, suppliers of SPMs and SPMs-containing products are affected under certain conditions.
Companies affected need to prepare the report on annual releases in IUCLID format and submit it to ECHA through REACH-IT. The first deadlines are:
31 May 2026 – for manufacturers and industrial downstream users of SPMs in form of pellets, flakes and powders, used as raw material in plastic production at industrial sites; and
31 May 2027 – for all other manufacturers and industrial downstream users of SPMs at industrial sites, as well as for suppliers placing products containing SPMs on the market for the first time for specific exempted uses by professionals or the public.
Reports must cover emissions from the previous calendar year. For now, only initial submissions are possible in REACH-IT. Updates will be allowed from the second quarter of 2026.
ECHA has published guidelines, a IUCLID manual, and a video tutorial to help companies prepare and submit their reports. In addition, a pre-filled IUCLID dataset (.i6z) is made available to help users prepare their IUCLID dossiers.
Affected companies are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the reporting requirements and ECHA’s support materials well ahead of the deadlines.
Background
The EU-wide restriction on microplastics, which entered into force in October 2023, bans the intentional use of microplastics in products such as cosmetics, detergents, and certain agricultural products, as well as certain processes that release them into the environment. The regulation introduces reporting obligations for manufacturers, importers, downstream users and suppliers of SPMs or products containing SPMs for specific exempted uses to help monitor and reduce microplastics emissions.
