HSE Releases UK REACH Annual Report and 2024–2025 Work Programme

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual UK REACH Article 83 Report (2023–2024) and Work Programme for 2024–2025, highlighting ongoing regulatory work and outlining upcoming priorities under the UK REACH framework.

 

PFAS and Lead Under Regulatory Focus

HSE continues to assess the risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with work ongoing to investigate their use as processing aids in the manufacture of fluoropolymers. In parallel, the Agency is preparing a restriction dossier on PFAS in firefighting foams, which is expected to be submitted for public consultation in 2024/25.

The HSE is also finalising its restriction opinion on lead in ammunition used in outdoor shooting, covering both human health and environmental risks. This follows a public consultation completed in 2023.

 

Upcoming Work in 2024–2025

The Work Programme outlines the continuation of nine Regulatory Management Options Analyses (RMOAs), including substances such as:

• Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2-anhydride (trimellitic anhydride) – investigated for respiratory sensitisation risks.

• Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF) – evaluated for endocrine disrupting properties.

• Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) – investigated for persistence and potential environmental concerns.

No new RMOAs are planned for 2024/25.

Additionally, the HSE will assess up to six substances proposed as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) under EU REACH for their relevance to the UK market. One such substance that has already been evaluated in 2023/24 was melamine, due to concerns over reproductive toxicity and widespread use.

 

Key Activities in 2023-2024

During 2023/24, the HSE:

• Processed all new UK REACH registrations and Article 26 inquiries within the statutory three-week timeframe.

• Carried out compliance checks on at least 20% of registration dossiers.

• Evaluated all submitted testing proposals to avoid unnecessary animal testing.

• Issued authorisation opinions on time, including assessments of trichloroethylene uses.

• Published the UK REACH evaluation report under Article 54 by the February 2024 deadline.

For 2024/25, the HSE will maintain these operational targets and continue to invest in IT systems and stakeholder engagement efforts to support future evaluations and restrictions.

 

The work programme was developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency and the Appropriate Authorities (Defra, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government) and reflects previously established regulatory priorities.

 

Access the full 2023-2024 Annual Report here and the 2024-2025 Work Programme here.