Europe Regulatory News

In a decisive move to protect human health and the environment, the European Commission has announced the final adoption of a regulation under REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) to prohibit the u...

In a decisive move to protect human health and the environment, the European Commission has announced the final adoption of a regulation under REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) to prohibit the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams across the EU.

The new Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 3 October, amends Annex XVII of REACH. This restricts the placing on the market and use of PFAS in firefighting foams from 23 October 2030 onwards. There will be phased transitional periods for specific applications.

Scope and Timeline

From 23 October 2030, firefighting foams containing PFAS in concentrations equal to or above 1 mg/l (sum of all PFAS) will no longer be permitted for sale or use, except in limited cases where substitution is not yet technically feasible. Transitional provisions apply to:

• High-risk and industrial installations under the Seveso III Directive, offshore platforms, certain ships, and military uses, where continued use is permitted until 23 October 2035 under strict conditions.
• Portable fire extinguishers and alcohol-resistant formulations may be used until 23 April 2027.
• Training, testing, and public fire services may use existing stocks with containment measures until 23 April 2027.

During these periods, operators must minimise releases to the environment, label PFAS-containing stocks, and ensure that waste is treated and destroyed properly, typically by incineration at temperatures above 1100 °C. Equipment that has contained PFAS foams must be thoroughly cleaned before being refilled with fluorine-free alternatives. A special derogation allows cleaned equipment (excluding portable extinguishers) to temporarily emit up to 50 mg/l of PFAS, subject to review by 2030.

Definition and Impact

The restriction applies to PFAS as defined by the OECD criteria; substances containing a fully fluorinated methyl (-CF₃) or methylene (-CF₂-) carbon atom without attached hydrogen or halogen atoms. According to the Commission’s assessment, firefighting foams are a major source of PFAS emissions, releasing around 470 tonnes annually across the EU.

The new restriction is expected to prevent around 13,000 tonnes of PFAS emissions over the next 30 years. The Commission highlights that the measure will also drive innovation in the development and deployment of fluorine-free alternatives.

The full text of Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 can be accessed here. 

On 30 September 2025, the European Commission published its Synthesis Report on the Operation of Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals for the period 2...

On 30 September 2025, the European Commission published its Synthesis Report on the Operation of Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals for the period 2020–2022. The report reviews the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation across the EU and outlines the latest changes to Annex I.

New substances and updates to Annex I

Several chemicals were added or reclassified under Annex I between 2020 and 2022, expanding the list of substances subject to export notification or explicit consent requirements. Newly listed entries include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related compounds, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), and chlorinated paraffins (C10–C13).

Some existing substances were also moved from Part 1 (notification only) to Part 2 (notification and explicit consent) of Annex I, which further tightens controls on exports. These changes bring the EU Regulation into line with recent decisions under the Rotterdam Convention and strengthen oversight of the trade with hazardous chemical.

In addition, Annex V was expanded to include new export bans for substances such as dicofol, pentachlorophenol, PFOS, PFOA, and decaBDE, as well as certain mercury compounds and mercury-added products.

Implementation findings

The Commission concludes that the PIC system functions effectively, though national authorities continue to face resource constraints and administrative pressure from frequent updates to the annexes. ECHA processed around 10,000 export notifications in 2022 and continued to improve its ePIC system. Enforcement activities by Member States remained stable, focusing on preventing unauthorised exports and ensuring proper documentation.

Outlook

The report recommends the further simplification of annex amendment timelines, the enhancement of user guidance within the ePIC system, and the improvement of support for Designated National Authorities. Overall, the Regulation is considered to be meeting its objectives while adapting to evolving international obligations.

The full text of the report can be found here.

On 25 September 2025, the European Commission published Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1930 in the Official Journal, amending the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 to i...

On 25 September 2025, the European Commission published Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1930 in the Official Journal, amending the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 to include Dechlorane Plus (syn- and anti-isomers; CAS 13560-89-9, 135821-03-3, 135821-74-8). The regulation will enter into force on 15 October 2025, implementing the EU’s commitments under the Stockholm Convention. The Convention listed Dechlorane Pluas for global elimination in 2023 due to its persistence and bioaccumulative properties.

Thresholds for Unintentional Presence

• Until 15 April 2028, the substance is permitted at concentrations up to 0.1% (1 000 mg/kg) in substances, mixtures, and articles.
• After 15 April 2028, this is reduced to 0.0001% (1 mg/kg).

Specific Exemptions

The use of Dechlorane Plus is permitted under narrowly defined derogations, including:

• Aerospace, space, and defence; medical imaging and radiotherapy devices – until 26 February 2030.
• Spare parts and repair for vehicles, machinery, marine and outdoor equipment, aerospace and instruments – until the end of their service life or 31 December 2043, whichever comes first.
• Medical and in vitro diagnostic devices – until the end of their service life.

Review and Legacy Use

The Commission must review these exemptions by 1 April 2028, ahead of the next Stockholm Convention review, to determine whether extensions are needed. Products that have already been placed on the market under a valid exemption may continue to be used after the exemption has expired, and certain spare parts for aerospace and defence equipment may remain in use beyond 2043.

The full text of the delegated regulation can be accessed here.

On 17 September 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a call for evidence to support a study on substances of concern (SoCs) in packaging and packaging waste, as required under the Pa...

On 17 September 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a call for evidence to support a study on substances of concern (SoCs) in packaging and packaging waste, as required under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The consultation is open until 28 October 2025.

Legal Basis and Objectives

The PPWR, in force since 11 February 2025, tasks the European Commission, assisted by ECHA, with preparing a report on substances in packaging that may pose risks to human health or the environment, or that hinder recycling and the safe use of secondary raw materials. The mandate given to ECHA requires the study to assess such substances and propose possible regulatory follow-up measures, including restrictions.

Scope of the Study

The background note to the call for evidence highlights that the study will focus on:

• Substances that contaminate recycled materials or reduce recycling efficiency.
• Chemicals of concern that may be released from packaging during use, disposal, or recycling.
• Waste management practices and recycling technologies relevant for mitigating risks.

Stakeholders Invited to Contribute

Input is sought from companies across the packaging supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, formulators, and recyclers, as well as NGOs, Member State authorities, and scientific organisations. Non-EU stakeholders may also contribute where relevant. Information can be submitted confidentially.

Consultation Timeline

• Start date: 17 September 2025
• Deadline for contributions: 28 October 2025
• Submit contributions via: EU Survey

Further details are available in the European Commission’s mandate to ECHA and the background note.

All fees under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) have increased by 19.5% to reflect inflation, following Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1490.The revi...

All fees under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) have increased by 19.5% to reflect inflation, following Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1490.

The revised fee schedule entered into force on 14 August 2025 and applies to a broad range of procedures, including applications for active substance approval, biocidal product authorisation (single products and families), renewals, amendments, technical equivalence assessments and annual fees.

Impact on Companies

The increase affects all companies placing biocidal products on the EU market. While SME reductions remain available, the inflation-linked adjustment represents a significant rise in regulatory costs, especially for businesses planning new submissions or renewals in 2025.

The full text of the Biocides Fee Regulation can be found here.

On 16 September 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the expansion of its ECHA CHEM database to include regulatory data on chemicals. The upgrade means that, in addition to substanc...

On 16 September 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the expansion of its ECHA CHEM database to include regulatory data on chemicals. The upgrade means that, in addition to substance information, users can now access details on regulatory processes and legal obligations under several EU laws.

Integration of Key EU Regulations

In this release, ECHA CHEM incorporates regulatory processes and lists from the following chemicals regulations and directives:

• REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
• CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation
• POP (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulation
• Drinking Water Directive

Under REACH, the update covers the list of restricted substances and the restriction process, the Authorisation List and ECHA’s recommendations for inclusion, substances of very high concern (SVHC) and the Candidate List, as well as dossier and substance evaluation.

This integration provides a single point of access to chemical identity data, classification and labelling information, REACH registration details, and other regulatory lists.

Drinking Water Directive Positive Lists

On 24 September 2025, ECHA further announced that the European positive lists under the Drinking Water Directive are now available in ECHA CHEM. The information is searchable, can be filtered by material type, and is linked with relevant data collected under REACH and CLP.

Improved Access and Transparency

The expanded system aims to improve transparency and efficiency by centralising regulatory and substance data. Companies, regulators, and other stakeholders can now more easily assess compliance obligations, restrictions, and potential risks related to chemical use.

Webinar Recording Available

ECHA presented the new features in a webinar on 23 September 2025. The session is now available for viewing and includes demonstrations of the platform and explanations of the first set of regulatory process and obligation lists. The recording can be accessed here.

On Tuesday, the EU Parliament finalized legislation aimed at reducing food and textile waste across the Union. The law sets binding targets to cut food waste by 10% in processing and 30% per capita...

On Tuesday, the EU Parliament finalized legislation aimed at reducing food and textile waste across the Union. The law sets binding targets to cut food waste by 10% in processing and 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, and households by 2030, while promoting the donation of safe unsold food. For textiles, producers will now bear the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling through new extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes covering clothing, footwear, linens, and more, including e-commerce sellers. Member states are encouraged to address fast and ultra-fast fashion practices. The law will be signed and published in the EU Official Journal, giving countries 20 months to transpose it into national legislation.

Textile Waste and Hold Producers Accountable by 2030

The European Union has formally adopted new legislation aimed at reducing food and textile waste across member states by 2030. Under the updated rules, binding targets have been set to cut food waste by 10% in processing and manufacturing, and by 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services, and households. These reductions will be measured against the annual average of waste generated between 2021 and 2023. In addition, EU countries are required to ensure that key economic operators play an active role in preventing food waste and facilitating the donation of unsold food that is safe for human consumption.

The legislation also introduces extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile products. Producers making textiles available in the EU, including e-commerce sellers and companies based outside the Union, will be responsible for covering the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling waste textiles. Member states are tasked with setting up EPR schemes within 30 months of the directive’s entry into force, with micro-enterprises allowed an extra year to comply. The rules cover clothing, footwear, accessories, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, curtains, and potentially mattresses. Governments are also encouraged to address fast and ultra-fast fashion practices when determining financial contributions to the EPR schemes. Following prior agreement by the Council, the European Parliament confirmed adoption of the act.

Further steps

The legislation is set to be signed by both co-legislators before being published in the EU Official Journal. Once in force, member states will have 20 months to implement the rules into their national laws.