EU Publishes Rolling Updates Extending Restrictions on Substances

On 1 July 2024, CARACAL (Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP) approved the review of the rolling list, leading to the publication of updates to Annex I of the Restrictions Roadmap under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. This roadmap, which is part of the European Green Deal's commitment to sustainability, aims to reduce hazardous chemicals in the environment. It outlines planned restrictions on harmful substances, offering transparency to stakeholders and allowing companies to prepare for potential changes.

REACH Restriction Roadmap

On 14 October 2020, the European Commission released its chemicals strategy for sustainability under the European Green Deal. This strategy emphasizes the crucial role of chemicals in society and the need for stronger, more cohesive Union legislation. It outlines a range of measures aimed at achieving a toxic-free environment and protect people and ecosystems from dangerous chemicals. It proposes to extend the 'generic approach to risk management' to potentially restrict certain substances in products for specific users, with limited exemptions under clearly defined legal conditions.

Pending assessment and integration into Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation), the strategy prioritizes substances such as carcinogens, mutagens, reprotoxicants (CMRs), endocrine disruptors, persistent, bio accumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs), as well as substances toxic to specific organs and respiratory sensitizers for group restrictions. In order to simplify these initiatives, the Commission has developed a roadmap aimed at prioritizing these substances for regulation under REACH.

Recent Decisions on Restrictions

Following the release of the initial Restrictions Roadmap in April 2022, the European Commission has taken decisions to either revise the list of restrictions in Annex XVII of REACH or to officially end certain restrictions.

Substances under Review for Regulatory Restrictions

Annex II of REACH lists substances that are currently being evaluated for possible regulatory restrictions. At this stage, no decision has been taken regarding the preparation of a restriction dossier or whether it will be submitted by a Member State or by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) acting on behalf of the Commission. Annex II also guides authorities in prioritizing future restriction dossiers. Similarly, substances in Annex II may be subject to classification under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation or identification as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) under REACH, potentially leading to subsequent restriction measures.