CAS 100-42-5 · REACH · European Union

Styrene (vinylbenzene) under REACH

C8H8 · 苯乙烯

Status: Registered. Styrene is fully registered under REACH at the highest tonnage band (>1,000,000 tonnes/year). **Distinguishing pattern: ethylbenzene → styrene → polystyrene + ABS chain (~85% combined demand) + benzene (batch 22) downstream chain + IARC Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans, since 2018) + Repr 2 + STOT RE 1 (hearing-loss specific).** Reg (EC) 1272/2008 harmonised classification: Repr 2 (H361d) + STOT RE 1 (H372 hearing organ) + Acute Tox. 4 inhalation + Skin Irrit. 2 + Eye Irrit. 2 + Flam. Liq. 3. **EU active AD case on Chinese-origin styrene**: provisional AD duties imposed by Reg (EU) 2024/2003 of 18 July 2024 (verify the current definitive duty regulation and producer-specific rates against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ and the EU Official Journal before invoicing); definitive duties expected. NOT SVHC. NOT Annex XIV. NOT a drug precursor. Production route: ethylbenzene dehydrogenation (~95% globally); ethylbenzene from benzene (batch 22) + ethylene.

Styrene carries **moderate-to-heavy regulatory burden**: Repr 2 (H361d) + STOT RE 1 (hearing organ) + IARC Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans since 2018). The dominant practitioner-facing layer for Chinese-origin styrene is **EU active AD case** (Reg 2024/2003 provisional duties since 18 July 2024; definitive duties expected). NOT SVHC despite IARC Group 2A. NOT a drug precursor. NOT in CBAM Phase 1 (potential Phase 2). Major Chinese producers: Sinopec (Yangzi + Shanghai + Maoming + Yueyang), Wanhua Chemical Yantai, Hengli Petrochemical Dalian, Zhejiang Petrochemical Zhoushan / ZRCC, Lihuayi Yangzhou. China dominates global capacity (~45%, ~16-18 Mt/yr). **Benzene (batch 22) feedstock cost flow-through is dominant** (~70-80% of production cost). Production route: ethylbenzene dehydrogenation (~95% globally); ethylbenzene from benzene + ethylene. End-use mix dominated by polystyrene (PS, ~50%), ABS (~15%), SBS / SIS (~10%), SBR (~10%), unsaturated polyester resin (~10%). Capacity additions 2024-2026 extend Chinese dominance toward ~50%.

Listing and threshold

Substance Styrene (vinylbenzene) (CAS 100-42-5), C8H8
Regime EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
Jurisdiction European Union (EU-27 plus EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
Status Registered
Tonnage threshold Registration required for any importer or manufacturer placing >1 t/year on the EU market

Classifications under this regime

  • Harmonised CLP classification: Flam. Liq. 3 (H226), Repr. 2 (H361d "may damage the unborn child"), STOT RE 1 (H372, hearing organ), Acute Tox. 4 inhalation (H332), Skin Irrit. 2 (H315), Eye Irrit. 2 (H319)
  • Signal word: DANGER
  • GHS pictograms: GHS02 (flame), GHS07 (exclamation mark), GHS08 (health hazard, reproductive / target organ)
  • **IARC: Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) since 2018 IARC Monograph 121** (upgraded from Group 2B 2002 IARC Monograph 82; Volume 121 covers Styrene plus Quinoline plus Styrene-7,8-oxide per https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications)
  • NOT subject to Drug Precursors Reg 273/2004
  • NOT subject to Explosives Precursors Reg 2019/1148
  • ADR / RID transport classification: Class 3 (flammable liquid), UN 2055, Packing Group III
  • WHO Air Quality Guidelines: 0.26 mg/m³ 30-min average (since 2010)

Restrictions and conditions of use

  • NOT on REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation list)
  • NOT classified as SVHC
  • NOT subject to any Annex XVII restriction at standard industrial-grade level
  • **EU active AD case on Chinese-origin styrene**: provisional AD duties imposed by Reg (EU) 2024/2003 of 18 July 2024 (verify the current definitive duty regulation and producer-specific rates against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ and the EU Official Journal before invoicing); definitive duties expected
  • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope; potential Phase 2 candidate post-2026 review
  • EU Reg 10/2011 food-contact: styrene specific migration limit (SML 0.05 mg/kg food) for plastic food-contact materials
  • EU Reg 1223/2009 cosmetic-product: styrene NOT permitted in cosmetic products

Importer obligations

A non-EU producer cannot register directly under REACH. The EU importer of record must hold a registration or rely on an Only Representative (OR). The dominant practitioner-facing layer for Chinese-origin styrene is **EU active AD case** (Reg 2024/2003 provisional duties since July 2024; definitive duties expected). Producer-specific AD margin verification at customs entry, AD cash deposit at entry, and 5-year administrative review record retention. **Repr 2 (H361d "may damage the unborn child") + STOT RE 1 (hearing organ) + IARC Group 2A** drive substantial workplace exposure-control overhead + female-of-child-bearing-age protection planning. Major Chinese producers (Sinopec Yangzi + Sinopec Shanghai + Sinopec Maoming + Sinopec Yueyang, Wanhua Chemical Yantai, Hengli Petrochemical Dalian, Zhejiang Petrochemical Zhoushan / ZRCC, Lihuayi Yangzhou) compete with EU domestic producers (INEOS Styrolution Antwerp, Trinseo Schkopau, Atrium Innovations Wingles).

Required documents

  • REACH registration number on the EU side (registrant or OR-appointed)
  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS) compliant with REACH Annex II in destination Member State language(s) reflecting H226 / H315 / H319 / H332 / H361d / H372 classification
  • CLP-compliant labelling with GHS02 + GHS07 + GHS08 pictograms and DANGER signal word
  • Customs entry with HS code 290250 (styrene)
  • ADR consignment note for transport (Class 3, UN 2055, PG III)
  • **EU AD case producer-specific margin documentation** (Reg 2024/2003)
  • EU AD cash deposit at entry equivalent to producer-specific rate
  • Reg 10/2011 food-contact compliance documentation for plastic food-contact downstream applications

Common compliance traps

The pitfalls that have bitten importers on this lane in the past. None of these is theoretical.

  • **EU active AD case on Chinese-origin styrene (Reg 2024/2003 provisional July 2024)** is the dominant compliance and cost layer. Producer-specific rates apply; verify before invoicing EU lane. Definitive duties expected following Commission investigation completion
  • **Repr 2 (H361d) + STOT RE 1 (hearing organ) + IARC Group 2A** drives substantial workplace exposure-control overhead + female-of-child-bearing-age protection planning
  • NOT a drug precursor, NOT in CBAM Phase 1, NOT SVHC despite IARC Group 2A
  • Major Chinese producers: Sinopec (Yangzi + Shanghai + Maoming + Yueyang), Wanhua Chemical Yantai, Hengli Petrochemical Dalian, Zhejiang Petrochemical Zhoushan / ZRCC, Lihuayi Yangzhou. China dominates global capacity (~45%, ~16-18 Mt/yr)
  • Production route: ethylbenzene dehydrogenation (~95% globally); ethylbenzene from benzene (batch 22) + ethylene
  • **Benzene (batch 22) feedstock cost flow-through is dominant**: ~70-80% of styrene production cost is feedstock (ethylbenzene → from benzene + ethylene)
  • End-use mix: polystyrene (PS, ~50%), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS, ~15%), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS / SIS thermoplastic elastomers, ~10%), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR, ~10%), unsaturated polyester resin (~10%), other (~5%)
  • EU is structurally net-importer of styrene; major polystyrene + ABS downstream consumers (BASF, Trinseo, INEOS Styrolution, Polimeri Europa) drive imports

Where to read next

For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for styrene (vinylbenzene), see the CAS 100-42-5 sourcing reference.

For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the styrene (vinylbenzene) cornerstone hub covers the full sourcing chain.

For the structure and history of REACH, see the REACH glossary entry.

Need cross-jurisdiction compliance support on this substance? Run it through the REACH / TSCA / IECSC / AICIS / K-REACH checker, or send us the substance and the destination and we will quote FOB China and CIF / DDP landed including the regulatory work on the destination side.

Read next

Cross-jurisdiction profile and sourcing references

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