Rising EU REACH Registration Costs: How Can Small and Medium-Sized Export Enterprises Cope with 2026 Compliance Pressure

## Background REACH (the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) requires chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities exceeding 1 tonne per year to be registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) before they can enter the EU market. Starting in 2026, ECHA has adjusted its registration fee structure and increased the administrative costs of joint submissions. For small and medium-sized exporting enterprises, this means that the registration fee for a single substance may rise by 10%–20% (reference range), and budgets and testing cycles need to be planned earlier. ## Frontline Observations Recently, on Amazon Europe and Alibaba.com, some sellers have reported that their chemicals or products containing chemical substances have been asked to supplement their REACH registration numbers, otherwise their listings may be taken down. At the same time, some SMEs' registration applications have been returned due to incomplete materials or expired test reports, causing the registration cycle to be extended from the usual 30–90 working days to more than 120 working days (reference range). Upstream raw material suppliers in the supply chain have also begun requiring downstream customers to provide more complete compliance declarations, and cost pressure is being passed down level by level. ## What Enterprises Should Do 1. **Take stock of the substance list in advance**: Clearly identify the chemical substances and tonnages in all products exported to the EU, and prioritize substances with annual volumes exceeding 1 tonne. 2. **Optimize testing strategy**: Coordinate with partner laboratories holding CNAS/CMA qualifications to combine test items and reduce duplicate testing costs. The Shuwang Testing and Certification Platform can assist enterprises in pre-reviewing testing plans to avoid returned applications caused by incomplete materials. 3. **Use joint submissions**: Share data through SIEF (Substance Information Exchange Forum) to apportion registration costs. 4. **Focus on supply chain communication**: Require upstream suppliers to provide the latest compliance declarations and clearly define responsibilities in contracts. 5. **Budget in phases**: Incorporate registration fees into the annual compliance budget and prioritize high-volume products. | Item | Reference Range | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | Registration cycle | 30–90 working days | When materials are complete | | Registration fee | RMB 8,000–50,000 | Depending on substance tonnage and testing complexity | | Testing fee | RMB 1,000–9,000 | Routine physicochemical testing | ## Notes The cycles and fees described in this article are public industry reference ranges, and actual values are subject to engineer assessment and institution scheduling. The Shuwang Testing and Certification Platform is an export certification solutions service provider and does not engage in testing activities, nor is it a certification body. Registration services are completed by qualified partner laboratories and EU Only Representatives (OR). Enterprises should pay close attention to official ECHA announcements, and the official original text shall prevail. For further consultation, please visit https://www.shuwangtc.com. **One-sentence conclusion**: The rise in REACH registration costs in 2026 is a foregone conclusion. SMEs should plan their substance lists and testing budgets in advance and use professional platforms to optimize their compliance pathways.