The European Commission is increasing fees for biocidal products and registration of substances under REACH. The method of verifying the size of the company, which will be valid for 3 years, will also change.
The European Commission has prepared two proposals to increase fees and charges paid to the European Chemicals Agency: for biocidal products and for registration of substances under REACH. The price increase is officially argued by taking into account the inflation rate for 2021-2023, but unofficially there is also issue of verifying whether SMEs actually qualify for reduced fees.
Biocides:
The increase for biocidal products was published through COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/1490 of 24 July 2025. It assumes an increase in fees by 19.5%. The regulations come into force on August 14, 2025.
Link: Implementing regulation – EU – 2025/1490 – EN – EUR-Lex
REACH:
The increase covering the registration of substances under REACH is at the draft stage and is awaiting official text and approval. The change in fees assumes:
- inclusion an inflation rate of 19.5%
- a change in the method of verifying the size of an enterprise
Companies will have to apply for SME status approval at least 2 months before applying for registration of a substance. Confirmation of the SME status will be valid only for 3 years, while extension or renewal of the confirmation will consist of an independent declaration confirmed by the entrepreneur. Note: If ECHA considers that a company does not meet the SME criteria, it will charge a fee for the company size verification process. The new rules will not apply retroactively – this means that if an entity is already in the process of registration, it will not be bound by the new rules related to the verification of the size of the enterprise.
Link: Comitology Register
What this means for the entrepreneur:
- Cost increases in both sectors.
- Extension of the time to prepare for the registration of the substance and additional formalities related to applying for confirmation of the size of the company, as well as remembering to confirm the status on your own after 3 years.
If you need support with the registration of biocidal products or the registration of a substance under REACH, please contact us.
Ekotox webiste: https://ekotox.eu/biocides/
