62022TJ0070_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 8 March 2023 –Novasol v ECHA
(Case T‑70/22) (
1
)
(REACH – Fee payable for registration of a substance – Reduction granted to SMEs – Verification by ECHA of the declaration relating to the size of the enterprise – Request for evidence demonstrating the status of a SME – Refusal to provide certain information – Decision ordering the recovery of the uncollected amount of the total fees payable and imposing an administrative charge – Concept of ‘related undertaking’ – Recommendation 2003/361/EC – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Action for annulment – Review of legality – Criteria – Account taken only of elements of fact and law existing at the date on which the contested measure was adopted
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see paragraph 22)
2.
Approximation of laws – Registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals – REACH Regulation – Fees due to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – Reduction in the fee for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises – Determination of the size of an enterprise on the basis of the Recommendation 2003/361 criteria – Account taken of information from any undertakings directly or indirectly linked to the undertaking concerned – Scope – Data of an undertaking linked to an undertaking linked to an undertaking concerned – Included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1907/2006, Art. 74(3); Commission Recommendation 2003/361, Annex, Art. 6)
(see paragraphs 40-42)
3.
Approximation of laws – Registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals – REACH Regulation – Fees due to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – Reduction in the fee granted to small and medium-sized undertakings – Determination of the size of an enterprise – ECHA’s verification of the undertaking’s declaration – Burden of proof borne by the undertaking – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1907/ 2006; Commission Recommendation 340/2008, Art. 13(3))
(see paragraphs 66, 67)
4.
Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons – Obligation – Scope – Account taken of the context and all the legal rules
(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1907/2006, Art. 130)
(see paragraphs 72-74)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Novasol to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 138, 28.3.2022.