Europe Regulatory News

On 21 March 2025, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, establishing a harmonised methodology for the calculation and verification of recyclin...

On 21 March 2025, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, establishing a harmonised methodology for the calculation and verification of recycling efficiency and material recovery rates from waste batteries. The Regulation also defines the required documentation format to ensure consistent reporting across the EU.

Key Elements of the New Regulation

• Scope and Objective: The methodology applies to all waste batteries within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including lead-acid, lithium-based, nickel-cadmium, and other types of batteries. It supports the EU’s circular economy objectives by promoting high quality material recovery.

• Calculation and Verification: The Regulation sets out harmonised rules for the calculation of recycling efficiencies and recovery rates, detailing relevant input/output fractions and verification methods to ensure reliable and comparable data.

• Documentation Requirements: New documentation formats are introduced for reporting recycling and recovery rates and the destination and yield of output fractions. These formats are tailored to different battery chemistries.

• Alignment with EU Circular Economy Policy: The methodology builds on the previous rules under Directive 2006/66/EC and integrates technological advances to support sustainable battery management and a competitive secondary raw materials market.

Technical Details from the Annex

The Annex to the Regulation provides standardised formulae and templates for calculating recycling efficiency and material recovery from different types of batteries. It covers key materials such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and lead, and includes verification procedures to be applied by Member State authorities. In particular, it sets out rules for the treatment of intermediate fractions such as black mass and outlines changes that will take effect from 1 January 2030, when elements such as carbon, phosphorus, and sulphur can be included in recycling efficiency calculations. The goal is to ensure accurate, traceable, and high-quality recovery in line with EU environmental objectives.

Background and Consultations

The legislation was adopted under Article 71(4) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, following technical input from the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), consultation with Member States and stakeholders, and a public feedback period in late 2024.

The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will be directly applicable in all Member States.

On 1 April 2025, the European Parliament adopted the 'one substance, one assessment' chemicals package, a comprehensive initiative to improve the efficiency and transparency of chemical safety...

On 1 April 2025, the European Parliament adopted the 'one substance, one assessment' chemicals package, a comprehensive initiative to improve the efficiency and transparency of chemical safety assessments in the European Union. The package includes three key legislative proposals aimed at streamlining the assessment processes and improving the accessibility of data on chemical substances.

Towards Simplified and Coherent Chemical Assessments

The initiative aims to streamline the assessment of chemical risks by consolidating scientific and technical assessments under the most appropriate EU agencies. This “one substance, one assessment” approach is expected to reduce duplication, improve consistency, and speed up regulatory decisions under different pieces of EU chemicals legislation.

1. Establishment of a Common Data Platform on Chemicals

A central component of the package is the creation of a common data platform on chemicals. This platform will serve as a “one-stop shop” for accessing information compiled under different EU legislation, including data on:

• Hazard classifications

• Physico-chemical properties

• Chemical presence in the environment

• Emissions and uses

• Environmental sustainability

By consolidating this information, the platform aims to improve the availability and accessibility of chemical data, thereby facilitating more informed decision-making and regulatory processes. The platform will follow the FAIR principles, meaning that the data it contains will be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. This approach is expected to support higher quality scientific assessments and more efficient regulatory decision-making.

2. Reallocation of Scientific and Technical Tasks Among EU Agencies

The second proposal focuses on optimizing the allocation of scientific and technical tasks related to chemical assessments among EU agencies. By reallocating specific responsibilities, the initiative aims to capitalize the unique expertise of each agency, thereby improving the efficiency and coherence of safety assessment across different legislative frameworks.

3. Amendments to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical Equipment (RoHS Directive)

The third proposal involves amending the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment - commonly referred to as the RoHS Directive. This amendment aims at transferring specific scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The objective is to improve the consistency, transparency, and quality of assessments related to hazardous substances covered by this legislation

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

Now that the European Parliament has adopted its position, the 'one substance, one assessment' package will move to negotiations with the Council of the EU. The Council adopted its mandate for these negotiations on 14 June 2024. The final regulation will be agreed upon following these discussions and will form part of the EU’s broader Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability under the European Green Deal.

This new framework aims to strengthen the protection of public health and the environment while promoting innovation and the safer use of chemicals in the European Union.

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 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.