Authorities and activities
Finding the right enforcing authority
The table below will help you find out which of the authorities you should report a concern with the GB Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (GB REACH) to in Great Britain (GB).
If your concern relates to the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (EU REACH) in Northern Ireland – please visit the HSE NI website.
| If the incident / concern involves... | ...it should be reported to... |
|---|---|
| people eg where use of a chemical poses risks to workers, consumers or other people, including uses outside the conditions of a restriction or without authorisation |
either HSE - Reporting an incident or concern or your local authority, depending on the type of place involved - see a full list of places and who has the enforcing responsibility |
| the environment eg where use of a chemical poses risks to the environment, including uses outside the conditions of a restriction or without authorisation |
Environment Agency in England Telephone: 0800 80 70 60 |
| Natural Resources Wales in Wales Telephone: 0300 065 3000 |
|
| Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland Telephone: 03000 99 66 99 |
|
| Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for offshore installations | |
| Nuclear sites Office for Nuclear Regulation |
|
| Rail networks | Office of Rail and Road |
| Registration or evaluation eg concern that a chemical does not have the necessary registration or evaluation |
HSE - Reporting an incident or concern |
| trade-to-trade sale eg wholesale supply, including issues concerning authorisation and restriction relevant to such supply |
HSE - Reporting an incident or concern |
| retail sale eg online and in physical stores, including issues concerning authorisation and restriction relevant to such supply |
your local Trading Standards office |
If you are still not sure which enforcing authority you should report to, don't worry! All enforcing authorities work together, so we will make sure your report gets to the right place.
Other ways the enforcing authorities work together include:
- sharing information, eg HSE can provide other authorities with:
- advice on GB REACH, and on how individual products / chemicals are affected by it
- details of the registration / authorisation status of individual products and the conditions placed on them
- supporting prosecutions, eg by providing witness statements
The enforcing authorities may also work with other authorities, including:
- UK Border Force - to detain goods on import
- HM Revenue and Customs - to access documentation and information relating to imports
- Home Office - to minimise animal testing
Enforcement Liaison Group (ELG)
The Enforcement Liaison Group (ELG) is a means of further strengthening co-operation and co-ordination between the enforcing authorities for GB REACH. It supports enforcement action through:
- sharing information
- arranging joint visits
- notifying matters of concern
The ELG is made up of representatives from each of the GB REACH enforcing authorities, as well as a number of other authorities with an interest in the enforcement of GB REACH. It usually meets at least once per year to:
- discuss topics including:
- emerging enforcement issues
- grey areas
- interpretation of the law
- identify lessons learnt and best practice
- propose amendments to guidance based on practical experience
- determine priority substances and / or issues - proposing and co-ordinating enforcement activity on these where possible
For agendas and minutes of meetings of the Enforcement Liaison Group since November 2008, please contact us.
Enforcement laws
The responsibilities of the different enforcing authorities described in the table above come from general health and safety law working in combination with more specific enforcement law for GB REACH.
General health and safety law
GB REACH specific law
- REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 - originally written in the context of the UK as part of the EU
- The REACH etc (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 - amends the REACH Enforcement Regulations in the context of the UK not as part of the EU
- The REACH etc (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 – amends the earlier 2019 Regulations
- The REACH etc (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) (No. 3) Regulations 2019 – further amends the earlier 2019 Regulations
- The REACH etc (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 – further amends the 2019 Regulations in the context of the Northern Ireland Protocol, ie a GB only regime
These laws also define a number of offences and the powers that the enforcing authorities may use. Find out more about offences and powers.