Europe Regulatory News

On 20 August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that an updated Background Document for the proposed restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH Regu...

On 20 August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that an updated Background Document for the proposed restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH Regulation has been published. The update follows extensive stakeholder input on the original 2023 proposal and provides additional details on the scope and possible derogations.

Expanded Scope of the Restriction

The revised document incorporates feedback from over 5,600 consultation comments and now covers additional uses beyond the initial proposal. Newly addressed sectors include:

• Printing applications
• Sealing materials
• Machinery and equipment
• Technical textiles
• Explosives
• Military uses
• Certain medical applications, such as immediate packaging and pharmaceutical excipients
• Industrial uses including solvents and catalysts

Options for Continued Use under Conditions

The updated proposal introduces possibilities for time-limited or use-specific derogations in critical sectors where alternatives are not yet technically feasible. These could apply, for example, to semiconductors, energy technologies, or certain medical uses, provided strict conditions for controlling emissions are met.

Next Steps

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) will review the updated document and issue their opinions before the European Commission and EU Member States decide on the final restriction.

The updated Background Document can be found here.

On 8 August 2025, the European Commission adopted a regulation amending Annex XVII to REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) concerning carcinogens, germ cell mutagens and reproductive toxicants (CMR...

On 8 August 2025, the European Commission adopted a regulation amending Annex XVII to REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) concerning carcinogens, germ cell mutagens and reproductive toxicants (CMRs). This update reflects recent changes to the EU’s harmonised classification and labelling of chemicals.

New Substances Added to Annex XVII

The amendment incorporates substances newly classified as CMR category 1B under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1973. These substances are now listed in Appendices 2, 4, and 6 of Annex XVII, meaning that they cannot be supplied to the general public above the set concentration limits.

Among the substances included are:

• Diuron (CAS 330-54-1)
• Tetrabromobisphenol-A (CAS 79-94-7)
• N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (CAS 99-97-8)
• 4-nitrosomorpholine (CAS 59-89-2)
• 4-methylimidazole (CAS 822-36-6)
• Several phosphonium salts and diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide
• Dibutyltin compounds, including dibutyltin maleate and dibutyltin oxide

Derogation for Cumene in Aviation Fuels

The Commission also clarified the status of cumene (CAS 98-82-8). Although cumene had already been included in Annex XVII in 2023, the restriction had created practical issues for aviation fuels used by non-professional pilots. The new regulation introduces a derogation permitting the use of cumene in kerosene and gasoline for aviation that meet recognised international standards (e.g. Jet-A, Jet-A1, JP-x, DEF STAN, ASTM, EN 228).

Entry into Force and Application

The Regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The restrictions related to the newly classified CMRs will apply from 1 September 2025, in line with the implementation of the updated CLP classifications. The full text of the Regulation and the Annex can be downloaded here. 

On 1 August, the European Commission launched a public consultation and Call for Evidence for the upcoming Circular Economy Act, marking a major step in its impact assessment. Set for adoption in 2...

On 1 August, the European Commission launched a public consultation and Call for Evidence for the upcoming Circular Economy Act, marking a major step in its impact assessment. Set for adoption in 2026, the Act aims to boost the EU’s circular economy by creating a Single Market for secondary raw materials, enhancing recycled material supply, and increasing demand. It supports EU goals on competitiveness, resilience, decarbonisation, and aligns with initiatives like the Competitiveness Compass and Critical Raw Materials Act. Inspired by key reports and declarations, the Act seeks to double the EU’s circularity rate by 2030.

Circular Economy Act

The circular economy is essential for strengthening economic security, resilience, competitiveness, and decarbonisation, and it is widely supported by the public as a key solution to environmental challenges. However, progress has been limited, prompting renewed calls for action from European industry, institutions, and recent policy reports. In response, the European Commission has committed under its 2024–2029 Political Guidelines and related initiatives to adopt the Circular Economy Act by 2026. This Act will aim to strengthen the single market for waste and secondary raw materials, boost the availability and demand for high-quality recycled materials at competitive prices, and ensure effective market conditions for circular products.

The Circular Economy Act aims to strengthen the EU’s economic resilience and competitiveness while driving sustainable production, circular economy practices, and decarbonisation. It will support the smooth trade of circular products, secondary raw materials, and waste across the EU. Additionally, the Act seeks to boost the availability of high-quality recycled materials and encourage greater demand for them within the Union.

Feedback period

Stakeholders are invited to take part in the online consultation through the Have Your Say portal. The feedback window remains open until 6 November 2025.

On August 1st, 2025 European Court of Justice published the judgment on Titanium Dioxide as a suspected carcinogen. The European Court of Justice has upheld a 2022 judgment annulling the classificati...

On 8 July 2025, the European Commission published a wide-ranging legislative proposal package aimed at simplifying the EU’s chemicals legislation. This includes significant proposed amendments to th...

On 8 July 2025, the European Commission published a wide-ranging legislative proposal package aimed at simplifying the EU’s chemicals legislation. This includes significant proposed amendments to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, the Cosmetics Regulation, and the Fertilising Products Regulation. The proposals also include a separate regulation that postpones key labelling obligations under the CLP Regulation until 1 January 2028.

Key Proposals: Greater Flexibility and Reduced Compliance Burden

The central legislative text (COM(2025) 531) proposes targeted amendments to three major regulations to address compliance challenges, reduce the administrative burden and enhance regulatory clarity across the chemicals sector. Accompanying the proposal is a detailed Annex outlining specific changes to the legal text, which is particularly relevant for compliance teams and legal counsel.

Highlights include:

• CLP Regulation (EC No 1272/2008):

  • Replaces rigid formatting rules (e.g. fixed font size and black-on-white labels) with readability standards, allowing for greater flexibility across product types.

  • Allows broader use of digital labelling to provide supplementary information online.

  • Revises Article 31 to simplify physical label requirements - label elements must be clear, indelible and contrasting with the background, but a fixed layout is no longer required.

• Cosmetics Regulation (EC No 1223/2009):

  • Removes the pre-notification requirement for nanomaterials.

  • Introduces clearer procedures for adding new UV filters, preservatives, and colourants to product annexes.

• Fertilising Products Regulation (EU 2019/1009):

  • Eliminates the need for extended REACH registration for certain component substances.

  • Simplifies the approval process for micro-organisms and introduces digital conformity documentation.

Postponement of CLP Amendments to 2028

In parallel, the Commission published a second legislative act (COM(2025) 526) which aims to postpone the implementation of certain controversial provisions introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865. This includes changes to:

• Label layout and formatting

• Advertising rules

• Labelling for online and distance sales

The revised date for the entry into force of these provisions is now set for 1 January 2028, which gives industry more time to adapt.

Impact and Next Steps

According to the Commission’s impact assessment, the simplification measures are expected to save the chemicals sector up to €363 million annually without compromising health or environmental protection. These proposals form part of a broader effort under the EU’s Chemicals Industry Action Plan to promote competitiveness and innovation.

The simplification proposal (COM(2025) 531) and the postponement regulation (COM(2025) 526) will now proceed through the ordinary legislative procedure, involving review and potential amendment by the European Parliament and Council.

On 25 June 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) formally requested that its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) reassess the hazard classification of glyphosate (CAS no 1071-83-6) under Article ...

On 25 June 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) formally requested that its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) reassess the hazard classification of glyphosate (CAS no 1071-83-6) under Article 77(3)(c) of the REACH Regulation. This decision follows the submission of new scientific evidence during the renewal process for glyphosate’s approval as an active ingredient in plant protection products.

Trigger for the Reassessment: New Genotoxicity Study

The request is primarily driven by the availability of a new in vivo genotoxicity study that was not previously assessed by the RAC in its 2022 evaluation. Conducted as part of the pesticide renewal process, the study has raised questions regarding the potential mutagenic effects of glyphosate.

Focus of the Reassessment

ECHA has asked RAC to:

• Re-examine glyphosate’s classification for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity (CMR) under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

• Review additional scientific evidence and new information provided during the pesticide renewal process.

• Address public concerns and ensure alignment with the latest EU regulatory decisions.

Current Classification Status

Glyphosate is currently classified in the EU as follows:

• Eye damage 1 (H318): Causes serious eye damage.

• Aquatic chronic 2 (H411): Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

Despite ongoing public and scientific debate about its potential health effects, glyphosate is not classified for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity.

The European Commission’s Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/197, which renewed glyphosate’s approval, highlighted this data gap. This prompted the Commission to invite ECHA to re-examine the classification in an independent process.

15-Month Deadline for RAC Opinion

ECHA has set a 15-month deadline for RAC to deliver its opinion, ensuring that the process moves forward in a timely and transparent manner.

The reassessment reflects ECHA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that chemical hazard classifications are based on the latest scientific evidence, while protecting human health and the environment.

On 2 July 2025, the European Commission released its evaluation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, reaffirming its importance in mitigating the environmental and health...

On 2 July 2025, the European Commission released its evaluation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, reaffirming its importance in mitigating the environmental and health risks posed by electronic waste. Despite improvements in collection and treatment, the report notes that nearly half of WEEE remains uncollected in the EU, with recycling rates still below target. Identified gaps include limited legislative scope, insufficient recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs), fragmented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation, and inconsistent treatment standards. The Commission recommends revising the Directive to address digital and green technologies more effectively, enforce harmonised EPR schemes, and establish mandatory treatment standards to support the EU’s circular economy goals. 

Background  

Electrical and electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the EU, increasing by approximately 2% each year. In 2022, 14.4 million tonnes of equipment were placed on the market, yet only 5 million tonnes of e-waste were collected. The WEEE Directive addresses this challenge by requiring separate collection and proper treatment, setting targets for recovery and recycling, and applying the polluter-pays principle through EPR. It also seeks to streamline compliance by harmonising national registers and reporting formats across Member States. 

Key Findings 

• The WEEE Directive remains a relevant and well-aligned policy tool within the EU framework, contributing positively to e-waste management and stakeholder performance. 

• However, the Directive’s scope is outdated and fails to cover emerging waste streams from CRM-rich technologies such as renewable energy and digital equipment. 

• Collection rates across the EU remain low, with only a few Member States meeting the 65% target due to economic, infrastructural, and awareness-related barriers. 

• Recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs), such as copper and rare earth elements is limited as current recycling targets do not sufficiently incentivize their extraction. 

• Fragmented EPR implementation and inconsistent treatment standards hinder high-quality recycling efforts across the EU. 

Further Step 

As part of the upcoming Circular Economy Act, the European Commission will take the recent evaluation findings into account during the revision of the WEEE Directive, with the aim of enhancing e-waste management and aligning it with broader sustainability goals.