Europe Regulatory News

The United Kingdom and the European Union have launched public consultations on draft risk profiles for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), including mixed polybrominated/chl...

The United Kingdom and the European Union have launched public consultations on draft risk profiles for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), including mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs). These consultations are part of the process under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to evaluate and possibly regulate these substances due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.

Background on PBDD/Fs and PBCDD/Fs

PBDD/Fs and PBCDD/Fs are unintentional by-products of various industrial processes, including the combustion of materials containing brominated flame retardants and certain metallurgical processes. Due to their persistence in the environment and their potential to bioaccumulate, these substances are of concern for both the environment and human health.

UK Consultation Details

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published a draft risk profile for PBDD/Fs and PBCDD/Fs and is inviting stakeholders to comment. The consultation period is open from 17 March to 19 May 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft risk profile and provide feedback by email to POPs@defra.gov.uk within the specified timeframe.

EU Consultation Details

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has also published a draft risk profile for the same group of substances and is seeking input from interested parties. The EU consultation is open until 20 May 2025 and comments can be submitted here.

Next Steps in the Stockholm Convention Process

Feedback from these consultations will contribute to discussions at the upcoming 20th meeting of the Stockholm Convention POPs Review Committee (POPRC-20), scheduled for 29 September to 3 October 2025. The Committee will review the draft risk profiles and stakeholder comments to determine the need for global regulatory actions on these substances.

On 25 March 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the updated Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2025–2027, listing 28 substances to be evaluated under REACH. The pla...

On 25 March 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the updated Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2025–2027, listing 28 substances to be evaluated under REACH. The plan includes 13 new substances, while 15 are carried over from previous plans. In addition, three substances have been withdrawn following a reassessment of their priority or the availability of new information.

Evaluation Timeline and Focus

Of the 28 substances, 14 are scheduled for evaluation in 2025, followed by 9 in 2026 and 5 in 2027. The evaluations aim to clarify potential concerns related to human health and environmental risks, including persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties, endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity.

The selected substances are used in a wide range of applications, including consumer products, industrial processes, and professional use, increasing the likelihood of widespread exposure.

Evaluation Tasks Distributed Among 11 EU Member States

The selected substances will be assessed by 11 Member States, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Poland. Each substance is assigned to a specific country, which will carry out the evaluation over the next three years.

Substance evaluation under REACH can lead to follow-up actions such as requests for additional information, proposals for harmonised classification and labelling, restriction, or identification as a substance of very high concern (SVHC). The aim is to ensure that any risks are properly assessed and managed.

Industry Encouraged to Review Dossiers

ECHA encourages companies that manufacture, import or use any of the listed substances to review and, if necessary, update their REACH registration dossiers. Up-to-date data will assist the evaluation process and may help reduce the likelihood of further information requests or compliance issues.

Full List Available Online

The full list of substances, together with the evaluation justifications and the names of the evaluating Member States, is available here.

On 20 March 2025, the Danish Ministry of the Environment announced that Denmark can proceed with its planned national ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and consumer-use impregnation sprays. The propo...

On 20 March 2025, the Danish Ministry of the Environment announced that Denmark can proceed with its planned national ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and consumer-use impregnation sprays. The proposal was submitted to the EU under the Single Market Transparency Directive, and no objections were raised by the European Commission or other Member States, clearing the way for national implementation.

According to the Danish Ministry of the Environment, the legal regulation will be issued on 1 July 2025, giving companies a one-year transition period to adjust. The ban on sales and imports will take effect on 1 July 2026, and companies will have until 1 January 2027 to sell remaining stock already on the market.

Denmark first announced its intention to ban PFAS in these product categories in 2023 due to growing concerns over the persistent and harmful nature of these substances. For details on the scope and initial proposal, see our previous coverage.

France Introduces National PFAS Ban from 2026

France is also introducing a national ban on PFAS in consumer products. Starting 1 January 2026, PFAS will be prohibited in textiles that come into direct contact with the skin - such as underwear, t-shirts, and bedding. This measure is part of France’s broader strategy to reduce PFAS exposure. Read our France PFAS update for more information.

EU-Wide PFAS Ban Still in Development

These national measures precede the proposed EU-wide restriction on PFAS under REACH, submitted jointly by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The proposal is currently being evaluated by ECHA’s scientific committees. Once adopted, it will harmonise restrictions across the EU, although Member States are allowed to take earlier action in areas of national concern.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation from 26 February to 26 March 2025 on proposed amendments to the EU Taxonomy Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) that aim to simplify report...

The European Commission has launched a public consultation from 26 February to 26 March 2025 on proposed amendments to the EU Taxonomy Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) that aim to simplify reporting requirements for companies while maintaining transparency in sustainable investments. The proposed changes, outlined in the Taxonomy Delegated Acts, aim to reduce administrative complexity and increase clarity for companies subject to sustainability disclosure requirements.

What is the EU Taxonomy?

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system that helps define which economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable. It is a key tool in the EU’s Green Deal, which aims to channel investments into activities that truly contribute to environmental protection and climate goals.

To be considered sustainable under the EU Taxonomy, an economic activity must:

• Make a significant contribution to at least one of the six environmental objectives.

• Do no significant harm to any of the other objectives.

• Comply with minimum social and governance safeguards.

The six environmental goals are:

• Climate Change Mitigation – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as investing in renewable energy or energy-efficient buildings.

• Climate Change Adaptation – Helping communities and businesses cope with climate risks, such as flood prevention infrastructure.

• Sustainable Use and Protection of Water & Marine Resources – Reducing water pollution and ensuring responsible water consumption.

• Transition to a Circular Economy – Promoting recycling, sustainable product design, and waste reduction.

• Pollution Prevention and Control – Reducing air, water, and soil pollution, including reducing the use of hazardous chemicals.

• Protection & Restoration of Biodiversity & Ecosystems – Supporting nature conservation, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture.

By setting clear technical screening criteria, the EU Taxonomy aims to prevent greenwashing (false sustainability claims) and help investors and companies make informed decisions about sustainable activities.

Key Amendments in the Proposal

The proposed amendments introduce several measures to make sustainability reporting simpler and more cost-effective, including:

• Reduced Reporting Scope – Companies will no longer have to assess and report on economic activities that are not financially material to their business, if they represent less than 10% of key financial indicators such as turnover, capital expenditures, or operating expenses.

• Streamlined Reporting Templates – The number of reported data points will be significantly reduced to minimize duplicative and complex reporting requirements.

• Clarifications of ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) Criteria – The proposal simplifies the chemical assessment obligations under Appendix C by reducing the number of substances that companies must assess, potentially removing up to 10,000 substances from the reporting framework.

• Postponement of Certain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – Financial institutions will have more time to comply with certain sustainability-related metrics, with some requirements delayed until 2027.

Why These Changes Matter

• Less Burden on Businesses – The amendments reduce compliance costs and focus reporting efforts on high-impact environmental activities.

• Better Usability & Legal Clarity – Companies will find it easier to determine whether their activities meet EU sustainability standards.

• Stronger Alignment with Other EU Regulations – The changes support broader EU sustainability initiatives, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

Next Steps

The proposal is open for feedback until 26 March 2025, after which it will be further assessed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. If adopted, the new rules will take effect from 1 January 2026.

Conclusion

The Commission’s initiative reflects a balanced approach to sustainability reporting -maintaining transparency while reducing excessive regulatory burdens. These adjustments should improve the practical implementation of the EU Taxonomy, making it easier for companies to contribute to Europe’s green transition.

For more details, visit the official consultation page here.

The European Commission has issued Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/182, correcting the chemical formula of riboflavin 5′-phosphate monosodium salt in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/9...

The European Commission has issued Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/182, correcting the chemical formula of riboflavin 5′-phosphate monosodium salt in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/901. This feed additive is authorized for all animal species except aquatic animals.

The original formula C₁₇H₂₂N₄O₉PNa was incorrect and has been changed to C₁₇H₂₀N₄O₉PNa. This correction ensures the accurate characterization of the additive in regulatory documents.

Ensuring Compliance with International Standards

The correction aligns the regulation with the Codex Alimentarius standards for Good Animal Feeding (CAC/RCP 54-2004). While the correction does not affect the authorization of the additive, it clarifies the chemical composition and helps maintain consistency and accuracy in regulatory compliance.

Key Dates and Entry into Force

• Adoption Date: 31 January 2025

• Publication Date: 3 February 2025

• Entry into Force: 23 February 2025 (twentieth day after publication)

The measure is considered trade facilitating, as it provides necessary clarity for industry stakeholders.

The full text of the Implementing Regulation can be accessed here.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a Q&A document based on its webinar on new hazard classes under the CLP Regulation held on 21 November 2024. The document provides clarifications on ...

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a Q&A document based on its webinar on new hazard classes under the CLP Regulation held on 21 November 2024. The document provides clarifications on the application of new classifications, including endocrine disruptors, PMT/vPvM substances, and revised classification rules.

Stakeholders involved in the classification and labelling of chemicals can refer to the Q&A for further guidance on compliance and implementation. The document is available on the ECHA website here.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has outlined key timelines for integrating hazard identifications from other EU regulations into the revised Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulat...

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has outlined key timelines for integrating hazard identifications from other EU regulations into the revised Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. The process ensures a harmonized approach to chemical safety by aligning classifications across different regulatory frameworks while avoiding duplication of work by using existing hazard assessments from other legislation.

Integration of Hazard Classifications into CLP

The revised CLP Regulation introduces a mechanism to integrate hazard identifications from the REACH Regulation, Plant Protection Products Regulation (PPPR), and Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) directly into Annex VI to CLP, as defined in CLP Article 37(7). If a substance has already been identified under these regulations as having endocrine-disrupting (ED) and/or PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic) / vPvB (very persistent, very bioaccumulative) properties, it can be directly included in Annex VI without requiring a separate assessment.

Types of Substances and Their Regulatory Pathways

The regulatory timelines set by ECHA apply to two broad categories of substances:

• Substances with decisions adopted by 11 June 2025: These substances have already been assessed and determined to have hazardous properties under REACH, PPPR, or BPR.

• Substances with assessments ongoing but no decision adopted yet: These substances are still undergoing evaluation, and their classification will be finalized as regulatory decisions are made.

Timeline for Substances with Decisions Adopted by 11 June 2025 These substances have already undergone assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or ECHA and have been identified by ECHA as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) or classified by the European Commission under the BPR or the PPPR as having hazardous properties.

• By 11 June 2025:

  • The substance has been included in the REACH Candidate List, or

  • A decision on approval or renewal has been adopted under the PPPR or the BPR.

• By 11 June 2026:

  • The substance will be included in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.

Timeline for SVHC Substances with Ongoing Assessments

• By 11 June 2025:

  • An Annex XV dossier must be submitted to ECHA for the substance.

• By 11 June 2026:

  • The substance will be included in the REACH Candidate List for one or more SVHC properties.

Timeline for Substances under PPPR with Ongoing Assessments

• By 11 June 2025:

• • An application for approval or renewal must be submitted to EFSA.

• By 11 June 2032:

  • A decision on approval or renewal concluding that the substance has one or more hazardous properties is adopted under PPPR.

Timeline for Substances under BPR with Ongoing Assessments

• By 1 September 2013:

  • An application was submitted under the Biocidal Products Directive (before BPR) and evaluated, but no decision was adopted.

• By 11 June 2025:

  • A draft assessment report for approval or renewal is submitted to ECHA.

  • ECHA submits an opinion to the Commission concluding that the substance meets endocrine-disrupting (ED) and/or PBT/vPvB criteria.

• By 11 June 2030:

  • A decision on approval or renewal concluding that the substance has hazardous properties is adopted under BPR.

These deadlines are crucial for industry stakeholders to track regulatory changes and ensure compliance with the updated classification framework. Companies handling affected substances should take proactive steps to align with ECHA’s evolving regulatory landscape.