GPC-Dienste

Reliable Support for Microplastics Restriction & Reporting

The EU’s restriction on synthetic polymer microparticles – commonly known as microplastics – came into force in October 2023. If your business manufactures, imports, or supplies products containing intentionally added microplastics, you likely face new reporting obligations to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Meeting these requirements on time (first deadline: 31 May 2026) requires a clear understanding of the rules, accurate emission estimates, and technically correct submissions via IUCLID and REACH‑IT. GPC Regulatory offers straightforward, expert‑led Microplastics Restriction & Reporting Services to help you navigate this process from start to finish.

What the EU Microplastics Restriction Means for Your Business

Under REACH Annex XVII Entry 78, the EU has banned the placing on the market of synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) unless a specific derogation applies. Derogations exist for essential uses such as:

Industrial feedstock (where microplastics remain contained within industrial sites)

Medicinal products and veterinary medicines

Food additives (within EU food laws)

In vitro diagnostic devices

Uses where microplastics are permanently embedded or contained in a solid matrix (e.g., certain construction materials)

Even if your use falls under a derogation, you are not automatically exempt from reporting. For derogated uses, the regulation requires an annual report to ECHA. This report must include the type of use, the specific derogation claimed, the generic identity of the polymer (using Harmoniz ed System codes), and an estimate of annual emissions – both during transport and at end‑use. The restriction is designed to reduce intentionally added microplastics released into the environment. It does not cover unintentional microplastics (e.g., from tyre wear or textile washing), nor does it apply to polymers that are biodegradable, water‑soluble, or have no particles below 5 mm (about 0.2 in). However, proving that your product falls outside the scope often requires analytical data or technical justification. Many companies find the distinction between “banned”, “derogated with reporting”, and “fully exempt” confusing. That is where professional guidance becomes valuable. GPC Regulatory helps you interpret the regulation in the context of your specific products and supply chains.

Do You Need to Report? A Quick Compliance Check

The obligation to report applies to several types of economic operators:

EU manufacturers of SPMs (companies that produce synthetic polymer microparticles in the EU)
Industrial downstream users that use SPMs at an industrial site (for example, a formulator incorporating microplastic powders into a coating)
Suppliers that place products containing SPMs on the EU market for the first time. Under Entry 78, a “supplier” can be a manufacturer, an importer, or an industrial downstream user. Retailers and distributors further down the chain generally do not have reporting obligations.

If your company is based outside the EU and you do not have a direct legal entity in the EU to handle reporting, GPC can act as your service provider. Even in such cases, your products may still be subject to restrictions when imported – and GPC will help you navigate those requirements.

To determine your exact obligations, we conduct an obligation mapping exercise, for which we require information from the client’s end regarding product use, polymer composition, quantities used, and estimated emissions. Based on this assessment, each product is classified as banned, subject to derogation with reporting obligations, or fully exempt, forming the basis of an effective compliance strategy.

Key Deadlines to Keep in Mind

The EU microplastics restriction introduces two main reporting deadlines, depending on your role and the type of microplastics you handle:

Deadline	Who it applies to	Emissions period covered
31 May 2026	Manufacturers and industrial users of pellets, flakes, and powders used as a feedstock in plastic manufacturing at industrial sites	Calendar year 2025
31 May 2027	Other manufacturers and downstream users using SPM at industrial sites	Calendar year 2026
31 May 2027	Products in Paragraphs 4b, 4d, 4e and Paragraphs 5a–5c	Calendar year 2026

Source of information: This obligation originates from Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 amending REACH Annex XVII (Entry 78). Additional guidance is available in ECHA’s official document: “Implementation of the reporting requirements of the REACH restriction on microplastics” (v1.1, April 2025).

GPC Regulatory helps you plan a realistic timeline, from initial portfolio review to final REACH‑IT submission.

How GPC Regulatory Help You Stay Compliant

We provide practical, step‑by‑step support for compliance with the EU microplastics restriction (REACH Annex XVII Entry 78). Our scope of work covers assessment and submission, tailored to your specific products and operations.

Product Assessment – Review of your portfolio toidentifythe presence of SPMs for microplastic notification

We review your product portfolio to identify synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) requiring notification as per EU 2023/2055.

Microplastic Testing – Performance of studies: particle size, solubility & degradation analysis
IUCLID Dossier Preparation – Compilation of data in the required IUCLID format
REACH‑IT Submission – Technical handling and submission of the dossier through REACH‑IT

Why Companies Choose GPC Regulatory for Microplastics Restriction & Reporting Services

GPC Regulatory has been at the forefront of global chemical compliance since 2008. With over 17 years of experience, we have helped more than 1,500 clients navigate complex regulations – from EU REACH and CLP to global GHS, biocides, and now microplastics.

What sets us apart?

Depth of expertise: Our team of 100+ professionals includes chemists, toxicologists, and regulatory specialists. Together, we bring over 250 years of cumulative experience. This is not a sideline for us – regulatory compliance is our core business.

Global footprint: We have offices in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, allowing us to support non‑EU manufacturers directly, in their own time zone and language.

Proven track record: 99% of our clients stay with us year after year. More than 200 companies have switched to GPC from other service providers because we offer better value and more responsive support.

Authoritative standing: The Indian Ministry of Commerce has commissioned GPC to conduct studies on chemical regulations. We are also actively contributing to the finalization of India’s Chemicals Management and Safety Rules (CMSR). Governments trust our analysis – and so can you.

End‑to‑end microplastics support: We do not just hand you a template. We assess your products, arrange testing if needed, map obligations, estimate emissions, prepare the IUCLID dossier, submit via REACH‑IT, and monitor future changes. You deal with one partner for the entire process.

When you choose GPC Regulatory, you get clear communication, fair pricing, and a partner who treats your compliance deadlines as seriously as you do.

Let’s Talk About Your Microplastics Reporting Services Needs

The deadlines are approaching, but you do not have to navigate this alone. GPC Regulatory offers an initial consultation to assess your products and potential obligations.

During this consultation, we will:

Review a sample of your product portfolio
Provide a preliminary indication of whether you need to report
Offer a fixed-price proposal for our microplastics notification and reporting compliance services

Please note that our compliance support – starting from the initial assessment through to final submission – is a chargeable service. Costs are incurred from the very first review of your products.

To initiate the process or request a quote, contact us at info@gpcregulatory.com or use the contact form on our Contact Us page. Let us turn a complex regulatory challenge into a manageable, compliant process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non‑EU manufacturer comply with an EU office?

Yes, by appointing an Only Representative (OR) based in the EU. The OR assumes the reporting obligations on your behalf. GPC Regulatory provides OR services specifically for microplastics reporting under Entry 78.

How do you estimate emissions if we have no measured data?

ECHA accepts default release factors from its guidance documents, OECD Emission Scenario Documents, or sector‑specific SPERCs.

What happens if we miss the May 2026 or May 2027 deadline?

Missing either deadline makes your products non‑compliant with EU REACH, which will considered as non-compliance as per the regulation 2023/55. Our compliance support includes a timeline to ensure your dossier is submitted well before your deadline.

Do I need to submit a separate report for each product?

The report is submitted per “legal entity” (your company) and covers all microplastics you placed on the market in the relevant year. However, you must provide data per use and per derogation. We structure the IUCLID dossier so that each product/use combination is clearly identified.

What information does ECHA publish in my report?

ECHA will not publish confidential business information such as exact product formulations. They will aggregate emission data to assess the effectiveness of the restriction. Your individual report is accessible to EU Member State enforcement authorities.

Do you also help with microplastics in cosmetics or detergents?

Yes. While some cosmetic uses (e.g., rinse‑off products with microbeads) are already banned under separate legislation, other uses may still fall under the REACH restriction. We assess each case individually.