The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recently updated its catalogue of borderline cases between articles and substances or mixtures, a valuable tool for clarifying whether an object falls under the definition of an “article” according to the REACH Regulation. Based on the Guidance on requirements for substances in articles, the document compiles assessments of real-world cases submitted to ECHA and national helpdesks.
The latest edition, published in May 2025, introduces new examples such as glitter, recycled mattress pads, gas barbecues, car air fresheners, and heat patches. Each case is analysed to determine whether the object should be classified as an article, a mixture, or a combination, taking into account its function, shape, and chemical composition.
The catalogue is a continuously updated tool and is regularly supplemented with new cases.
For more information, please consult the following ECHA link