,A coordinated EU-wide enforcement campaign has uncovered widespread shortcomings in the compliance of imported chemicals with the EUs REACH legislation, raising concerns for consumer safety and environmental protection. Inspections revealed that a significant proportion of substances entering the EEA market fail to meet basic legal requirements, with many importers unaware of their regulatory obligations before placing products on the market. Inspectors from 29 EEA countries conducted 2,603 targeted controls focusing on registration, restriction, and authorisation obligations under REACH. The results showed that one out of three substances present in imported mixtures was not registered, while 7% of substances imported on their own also lacked registrationfigures notably higher than those recorded in previous projects. Compliance with restriction requirements was also problematic. Of more than 1,300 imported mixtures and consumer products examined, 16% contained restricted hazardous substances above permitted limits. A major area of concern, particularly due to persistent exceedances of nickel, cadmium, and lead, alongside recurring non-compliance in toys and textiles. The project highlights the importance of targeted enforcement, informed sampling strategies, and stronger importer awareness to prevent non-compliant products from entering the EEA market.
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