The EC Inventory is published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2008. It is compromised of the following lists:

• EINECS (European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances) is an inventory of substances that deemed to be on the European Community market between 1 January 1971 and 18 September 1981. EINECS also indicates CAS number, EC number, substance name and its molecular formula. Chemicals listed in the EINECS are considered phase-in substances under the REACH Regulation.
• ELINCS (European List of Notified Chemical Substances) in support of the 7th amendment to Directive 67/548/EEC. ELINCS lists those substances which were notified under Directive 67/548/EEC, the Dangerous Substances Directive Notification of New Substances (NONS) that become commercially available after 18 September 1981.
• NLP (No-Longer Polumers). The definition of polymers was changed in April 1992 by Council Directive 92/32/EEC amending Directive 67/548/EEC, with the result of that substances previously considered to be polymers were no longer excluded from REACH Regulation. The NLP list was drawn up, consisting of such substance that were commercially available between 18 September 1981 and 31 October 1993.

Up to now, a total of 106,213 substances is listed to the EC Inventory. Substance name, EC number, CAS number, molecular formula of chemicals are regulated by ECHA.

The final REACH deadline for phase-in substances was reached on May 31, 2018. However, chemicals are required to meet the following obligations, whether they are listed in the EU Inventory or not:

► Under the REACH Regulation, enterprises producing or importing chemicals (single-molecule substances, multi-molecule substances, monomer of polymers, and other reactive substances) exceed 1t/y, chemicals in mixtures, and chemicals intentionally released chemicals are required to register after the inquiry to ECHA. Only after the registration can these enterprises are allowed to manufacture, import, or sell these chemicals within the European Union.

► Substances that have completed REACH registration, should transmit eSDS to downstream users if their tonnage exceeds 10 t/y and meanwhile meets the conditions for Extended Safety Data Sheet (eSDS) transmission. Some substances are also required to fulfill evaluation, notification/authorization, and restriction obligations.

► In accordance with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (CLP), enterprises should comply with the requirements of the CLP Regulation before trade in the European Union, which means they are required to provide and transmit Safety Data Sheets (SDS) under the CLP Regulation. Enterprises and importers should submit Classification and Labelling (C&L) notification if notification requirements are met. 

Regulations and standards

► The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (December 1, 2023)
► The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (December 1, 2023)
► Guidance on Registration (August 2021)
► Introductory Guidance on the CLP Regulation (January 15, 2019)

Regulatory authorities

► European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Exemptions

Substances under the REACH Regulation:

1. Radioactive substances;
2. Customs-controlled substances;
3. Substances used for national defense and exempted by national regulations;
4. Wastes;
5. Non-isolated intermediates;
6. Substances in transportation;
7. Registered substances (including: active substances in biocides, active substances in plant protection products, substances notified under Directive 67/548/EEC);
8. Food or feed;
9. Pharmaceutical products;
10. Substances listed in Annex IV of the REACH Regulation;
11. Substances listed in Annex V of the REACH Regulation;
12. Recycled substances or repeated use substances which have been registered;
13. Substances re-imported;
14. Polymers; and
15. Substances used for PRORD.

Substances under the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation):

1. Radioactive substances;
2. Customs-controlled substances;
3. Non-isolated intermediates;
4. Wastes;
5. Pharmaceutical products;
6. Medical devices (under specified conditions);
7. Cosmetics;
8. Food and feed additives;
9. Substances for R&D purpose; and
10. Isomer of imported polymers and chemical bonded substances.

How to obtain the list?

1. Click here to search for the latest inventory
2. Search on the official website: https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/ec-inventory
3. Contact CIRS Group to purchase the latest version (in Excel)

Our services

• EU Inventory search
• EU REACH training and consultation
• EU REACH search
• EU REACH registration
• Data evaluation
• Development of exposure scenario and Chemical Safety Report (CSR) compilation
• eSDS compilation
• SDS and label compilation
• EU C&L notification

If you have any questions, please contact us at chemicals@cirs-group.com.