What are they?

The European Union may impose restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market or use of certain substances, mixtures or articles when there is an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.

Under the REACH Regulation, restrictions are established mainly through Annex XVII. They may apply to a substance on its own, to a substance contained in a mixture or to a substance present in an article.

A restriction may:

1. completely prohibit certain uses;
2. limit the manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance;
3. establish maximum concentrations in mixtures or articles;
4. establish specific conditions of use;
5. apply to specific products, sectors, groups of users or applications.

Therefore, the fact that a substance is listed in Annex XVII does not necessarily mean that all its uses are prohibited. The specific entry for the substance or group of substances and all the conditions established in it must be consulted.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) maintains the REACH List of Restricted Substances, which contains the restrictions in Annex XVII and allows the conditions applicable to each entry to be consulted.

The ECHA restriction list should be consulted for the current status of restricted substances.

Important: restrictions may change over time. To determine the current status of a substance, the latest version of Annex XVII and subsequent amendments to the REACH Regulation should always be consulted.

What should be done?

If a restricted substance is used or may be present in the workplace, it is necessary to check:

1. which substance or group of substances is affected;
2. which Annex XVII entry applies to it;
3. whether the restriction applies to the substance, a mixture or an article;
4. which concentration or conditions are established by the restriction;
5. which uses are prohibited or restricted;
6. whether transitional periods or exemptions apply;
7. whether the substance is also subject to other requirements under REACH, CLP or occupational health and safety legislation.

Restrictions established under REACH must be complied with in addition to the obligations arising from occupational health and safety legislation.

From a preventive perspective, the existence of a restriction should be considered a signal to review the need to use the substance and to investigate less hazardous alternatives.

Spanish occupational health and safety legislation establishes the obligation to avoid or reduce risks and, in the case of hazardous chemical agents, Royal Decree 374/2001 establishes that priority should be given to eliminating or reducing the risk and, where possible, replacing the agent or chemical process with one that is not hazardous or is less hazardous.

The risk assessment must be kept up to date whenever working conditions change or new relevant information about risks becomes available.

For workers

If you work with a restricted substance, it is important to know:

1. the name of the substance and its hazards;
2. the uses for which it is restricted;
3. the applicable working conditions;
4. the preventive and protective measures that apply;
5. possible less hazardous alternatives;
6. procedures to follow in the event of accidental exposure.

Information and training must be updated whenever necessary to take account of new circumstances or information about risks.

A restriction on a substance does not replace the occupational risk assessment. A substance may be permitted for a particular use and still pose a risk to workers' health that must be assessed and controlled.

Classification

The list of restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of substances, mixtures and articles established under REACH is contained in Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

ECHA maintains a specific tool for consulting restricted substances and groups of substances and the conditions associated with each entry. Consult the ECHA restriction list

The list should be consulted dynamically, since Annex XVII is amended through new European Commission Regulations.

Recent amendments include:

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/859 of 20 April 2026, which adds a new entry for 2,4-dinitrotoluene (CAS 121-14-2; EC 204-450-0), with restrictions applying to certain articles intended for professional users and the general public from 10 May 2027.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 of 1 June 2026, which amends Annex XVII with regard to synthetic polymer microparticles, modifying certain provisions of entry 78.

These amendments illustrate why a static list of restricted substances based on an old consultation date should not be used.

Guidance

Technical Guide for the assessment and prevention of risks related to chemical agents present in workplaces

INSST, 2022. Technical Guide – chemical agents

Technical guidance prepared by the Spanish National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INSST) to facilitate the application of Royal Decree 374/2001 and the assessment and prevention of risks related to chemical agents at work. It includes references and tools relating to the substitution of hazardous chemical agents.

NTP 1216. Substitution of hazardous chemical agents (III): column model (version 2020)

INSST, 2025. NTP 1216

Presents a methodology for comparing the hazards of different substances and facilitating the selection of less hazardous alternatives. This NTP replaces the former NTP 712.

Chemical occupational risks – Substitution

INSST. Substitution support resources

INSST resources on the prevention of chemical risks and the substitution of hazardous chemical agents. INSST identifies substitution as a priority preventive measure for avoiding or reducing risks arising from the use of chemical agents.

Legislation

European Union

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.

In particular:

1. Title VIII – Restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of certain dangerous substances, mixtures and articles.
2. Annex XVII – Restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of certain dangerous substances, mixtures and articles.

The current consolidated text incorporates amendments adopted up to May 2026.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/859 of 20 April 2026, amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 of 1 June 2026, amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 as regards synthetic polymer microparticles.

Spain

Law 31/1995 of 8 November on Occupational Risk Prevention.

The current consolidated version should be used. The latest published update is dated 9 April 2026.

Royal Decree 374/2001 of 6 April, on the protection of the health and safety of workers against risks related to chemical agents at work.

References

Last content updated: August 2026