Many initiatives, but REACH remains a work in progress.

Intensive reform efforts have shaped European chemicals policy this year. With an action plan for the chemical industry, a standalone basic regulation for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and a proposal to simplify product legislation, the European Commission has set key processes in motion. However, one crucial project is still pending: the long-overdue revision of the REACH Regulation, which governs the evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals.

REACH reform further delayed

As recently as July, the European Commission announced that it would present a proposal for a targeted revision of the REACH Regulation by the end of 2025. Yet just two months later, the Regulatory Scrutiny Board caused a setback. It issued a negative opinion on the draft and identified significant risks to health and the environment, inefficient REACH processes, and insufficient compliance with the rules as key problem areas.

Within the industry, the desire is growing to simplify REACH within the existing legal framework. One option would be so-called omnibus initiatives, namely EU measures that reduce bureaucracy by bundling existing rules.

ECHA Regulation: Council working on its position

While REACH has stalled, the legislative process for a standalone regulation for ECHA is progressing. The aim is to establish modernised governance and a sustainable financing model. On 10 December, the Committee of Permanent Representatives agreed on a common position.

The European Commission had provided for two mandatory nominations per Member State for the ECHA committees, but the Council wants to reduce this to one mandatory and up to three voluntary nominations. At the request of a Member State, ECHA is also to support the search for suitable candidates in the future. In addition, the rules of procedure of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) are to specify under which conditions working groups may issue opinions on behalf of the committee.

Chemicals Omnibus: Council focuses on simplification and stronger consumer protection

On the Chemicals Omnibus, which is intended to simplify numerous requirements on the labelling and supply of chemicals, the Council is also further advanced than the European Parliament. It adopted its general approach as early as November.

In it, the Council confirms the European Commission’s approach to simplifying formatting requirements for labels, advertising, and the distance selling of chemicals, and to anchoring the digital by default principle as a key facilitation. At the same time, the mandate focuses on reducing duplicate requirements and streamlining deadlines. In addition, it strengthens consumer protection, particularly with regard to nanomaterials and potentially hazardous substances in cosmetic products.

REACH outlook: decision shifts to 2026

With regard to the timetable, the European Commission remains reserved. There is also no indication of an imminent proposal in the planning for the weekly meetings of the Commissioners up to the end of January. Nevertheless, signs are increasing that a draft is being targeted for the first quarter of 2026. Whether CARACAL, the expert group of representatives of the authorities responsible for REACH and CLP, will take up the issue at its meeting at the end of January is currently still open.