Importing chemicals: CJEU rules who bears the burden of administrative work

David Savage
David Savage
Head of Customs Advisory, Deloitte Ireland, Ireland
Published 09 Jul 2024
Importing chemicals: CJEU rules who bears the burden of administrative work
Pexels Rodolfo Clix
Case law
Restrictions
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation is the EU’s main instrument to protect human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. The legislation places a registration obligation on the importer. However, the definitions of the importer and import under the REACH legislation do not align with the customs terminology. The article demonstrates what happens when discrepancies arise.

Related content

View glossary entry

EU prohibitions and restrictions (P&R): the border controls that aren't about duty

09 Aug 2026

Prohibitions and restrictions (P&R) are the non-fiscal EU controls on goods entering, leaving or moving through the customs territory - imposed to protect health, safety, security, the environment and other…

Restrictions
View glossary entry

CBAM: the carbon price at the EU border

02 Jun 2026

What the carbon border adjustment mechanism covers, the transitional and definitive timelines, who must become an authorised CBAM declarant, and what to present at import.

Restrictions
View glossary entry

REACH: the chemicals rules that customs helps enforce

01 Jun 2026

What REACH requires, who carries the duty to register, and when chemicals under a customs procedure fall inside its scope.

Restrictions
Exporting fine art and cultural goods to the European Union

Exporting fine art and cultural goods to the European Union

Holly Piggott
Holly Piggott
17 Sep 2025

On 28 June 2025, the European Union activated the Import of Cultural Goods (ICG) system, a centralised electronic platform for lodging and processing import licences and importer statements. This marks…

Restrictions
Topic spotlight
Waste or resources? Customs perspective

Waste or resources? Customs perspective

Monika Bielskienė
Monika Bielskienė
25 Feb 2026

This presentation examines how the circular economy is reshaping traditional customs concepts, and is directly relevant to customs and trade compliance professionals dealing with waste, scrap, and used goods. Topics…

Restrictions
New General Product Safety Regulation: What should economic operators expect?

New General Product Safety Regulation: What should economic operators expect?

Anthony Buckley
Anthony Buckley
16 May 2024

Every year since 2003, the European Commission has published its annual report on Safety Gate, the European Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products. The reports cover the alerts identified…

Restrictions
Topic spotlight