News Details

On 29 September 2026, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a technical consultation on the draft legal provisions to introduce the Alternative Transitional Registration Model (ATRm) under UK REACH. The consultation closes on 10 November 2026.

The proposals would implement the policy approach confirmed in the government’s response to the 2024 consultation, which was published on 30 March 2026. The model aims to reduce the costs of registering transitional substances in Great Britain while maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment.

Reduced registration requirements

The ATRm would reduce the hazard information routinely submitted upfront to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its scope covers substances that had an existing EU REACH registration immediately before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, including grandfathered registrations and eligible subsequent registrations.

For eligible registrations, businesses would submit a reduced information package instead of the full study summaries, robust study summaries and testing proposals normally required. Eligibility would generally depend on the substance remaining registered under European Union REACH as a non-intermediate at the same or a higher tonnage band, with specific provisions for isolated intermediates.

The proposed changes include:

• Classification and safe use information: Registrants would still need to provide classification and labelling information, as well as guidance on safe use. Where no Great Britain mandatory classification applies, they would need to confirm consistency with the relevant European Union classification or explain any differences.
• Streamlined chemical safety reports: Relevant hazard assessment outcomes, exposure assessments and risk characterisation would still be required, but specified assessment steps would no longer need to be documented in the report.
• Transitional information powers: The HSE would be able to request further information where the reduced dataset is insufficient to evaluate a substance’s potential hazards and risks.
• Data and cost sharing: New provisions would govern cooperation within substance groups, joint submissions and the fair, transparent and non-discriminatory sharing of information and costs.

Defra is not proposing additional registration requirements for chemical use and exposure information. Wider reforms concerning reporting, restrictions and animal testing have been separated from the ATRm and may be considered in a future UK REACH reform package.

Consultation and next steps

The proposed amendments are presented in a Keeling Schedule, showing how the relevant UK REACH provisions would read if amended. Defra is seeking feedback on whether the drafting accurately implements the policy intentions, and on any ambiguities, omissions or unintended consequences that may be present.

Responses can be submitted through the consultation portal, by email or by post until 10 November 2026.

Following the consultation, Defra intends to publish its response and finalise the amending statutory instrument, subject to the consultation results. The legislation would require approval by both Houses of Parliament before it could be made.