REACH only representative: a separate EU role
REACH only representative or EU Authorized Representative? Who registers substances for non-EU makers under Article 8 REACH, and what CE roles cover.
Process industry: pressure, ATEX and chemicals rules
Equipment for process plants often falls under the pressure equipment and ATEX rules, with notified body procedures. Chemicals add REACH and CLP. We help you sort out the roles and documents.
- Pressure Equipment DirectiveDirective 2014/68/EU
- EMC DirectiveDirective 2014/30/EU
- Simple Pressure Vessels DirectiveDirective 2014/29/EU
- Machinery DirectiveDirective 2006/42/EC
- Machinery RegulationRegulation (EU) 2023/1230Applies from 20 January 2027
- ATEX DirectiveDirective 2014/34/EU
- Measuring Instruments DirectiveDirective 2014/32/EU
- REACHRegulation (EC) No 1907/2006
- CLP RegulationRegulation (EC) No 1272/2008
Three key facts on the process industry
Cat. II
Notified body
Pressure equipment from category II needs a notified body; below the thresholds of Article 4(3) there is no CE marking.
2026
Revised CLP rules
Revised CLP rules apply from 1 July 2026, some of them later (Regulation (EU) 2024/2865).
Art. 8
Only representative
Optional under REACH: without one, each EU importer registers the substances it imports.
What applies to your product?
Pick a product to see the EU rules it usually falls under. Yours may differ, so we check each one.
Valves and piping components
Valves are classified like vessels or piping; below the Article 4(3) thresholds there is no CE marking.
Pressure vessels and heat exchangers
Category by pressure, volume and fluid group; notified body from category II.
Simple pressure vessels for air
Series-made welded vessels for air or nitrogen under Directive 2014/29/EU.
Pumps for explosive atmospheres
Machinery plus ATEX: the equipment category decides the procedure.
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Measuring instruments
The MID applies where an EU country regulates that type of instrument by law.
Chemicals and mixtures
REACH registration through each EU importer or an only representative; CLP labelling.
CLP label format, advertising and distance sales rules apply (Regulation (EU) 2025/2439)CLP Regulation
Deadlines ahead
The next dates from the rules on this page.
Revised CLP rules apply, some of them later (Regulation (EU) 2024/2865)
CLP Regulation
2 October 2026
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery Directive
Machinery Regulation
CLP label format, advertising and distance sales rules apply (Regulation (EU) 2025/2439)
CLP Regulation
How we help
EU Authorized Representative
We hold your CE documents for pressure and ATEX equipment and answer authorities.
CE marking support
We check categories, modules and notified body certificates against your documents.
Compliance consulting
We map the EU roles for your equipment and chemicals with your team.
For chemicals from outside the EU, either each EU importer registers under REACH or the manufacturer appoints an only representative (Art. 8 REACH). It is a separate role from the authorized representative for CE products.
Process industry: frequently asked questions
Does my pressure equipment need a notified body?
From category II upward. Category I uses internal production control, and equipment below the thresholds of Article 4(3) follows sound engineering practice without CE marking.
Can ATEX equipment be self-certified?
Category 3 equipment, yes. Other category 2 equipment needs the technical documentation lodged with a notified body, and category 1 equipment, electrical category 2 equipment and engines need an EU type-examination.
What is a REACH only representative?
A business in the EU that registers substances for a manufacturer outside the EU, so that EU importers become downstream users. It is a different role from the authorized representative for CE products.
Who must be in the EU for pressure and ATEX equipment?
Both directives are listed in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020: a business in the EU must hold the declaration of conformity. Without an EU importer, an authorized representative is the usual route.
Insights on this topic
ATEX Directive requirements for non-EU makers
ATEX Directive requirements for non-EU makers: equipment category, notified body, Ex marking, what IECEx reports can do and who must be in the EU.
Pressure Equipment Directive: CE marking guide
Pressure Equipment Directive CE marking for non-EU makers: scope, PED categories I to IV, modules and notified bodies, documents and your EU contact.
Why companies choose Representa GmbH
Representa secured our EU Authorized Representative appointment within 48 hours, saving our shipment from costly delay.
U.S. electronic device manufacturerEU Authorized Representative They turned the CE Marking process into clear, actionable steps, helping us meet our launch timeline and pass compliance the first time.
Canadian consumer electronics companyCE marking Thanks to Representa, our products became fully GPSR-compliant well before the deadline, ensuring uninterrupted marketplace sales.
Asian consumer and healthcare exporterGPSR Responsible Person Our beauty cosmetics line faced labeling issues, but Representa's quick review and precise updates got us approved without delay.
Global beauty, fashion and cosmetics brandCompliance consulting The onboarding was fast and transparent. Representa made EU compliance simple and gave us confidence to expand across Europe.
Canadian industrial equipment supplier We were unsure how to manage new GPSR rules. Representa guided us step by step, keeping us fully compliant and avoiding delays.
U.S. consumer goods manufacturerGPSR Responsible Person
Process equipment for the EU?
Send us your product list. We check categories, modules and the roles you need in the EU.
Get in touch with our team of experts
Tell us what you manufacture and where you want to sell. We identify the requirements for EU and UK market access and come back to you with the next steps.