Latest Application Date (LAD)

The Latest Application Date (LAD) is the deadline by which an application for authorisation of an Annex XIV substance must be submitted to ECHA to allow continued use of that substance beyond its Sunset Date while the application is being evaluated. The LAD is specified in each Annex XIV entry, typically set 18 months before the Sunset Date. If a complete application is submitted before the LAD, the applicant may continue use legally until the European Commission makes a decision, even if the Sunset Date has passed.

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 58(1)(c)(ii) and Annex XIV; ECHA Authorisation List.

Missing the LAD is operationally catastrophic: if an application is submitted after the LAD, the company must cease use of the substance at the Sunset Date and may only resume if and when authorisation is granted. Companies using any Annex XIV substance must monitor LADs in advance and either: submit a timely AfA; secure coverage under an upstream authorisation; or substitute the substance before the LAD.