EU Plans 2025 REACH Regulation Revision: Enhanced Chemical Safety and PFAS Restrictions

The European Union is set to revise its REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in 2025, with the aim of streamlining chemical safety protocols and strengthening environmental protection. Insights into the forthcoming changes were highlighted in recent responses by Commissioner-designate Stéphane Séjourné (candidate for the Prosperity and Industrial Strategy portfolio) and Jessika Roswall (candidate for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy portfolio) to questionnaires for their confirmation hearings in the European Parliament. These questionnaires, designed to detail each Commissioner’s priorities and strategies, outlined key features of the expected REACH revision, such as stricter regulations on hazardous chemicals, a greater emphasis on sustainability and simplified compliance processes for industry.

Emphasis on Broader Chemical Restrictions

A key aspect of the upcoming REACH revision is the move from individual chemical authorisations to broader category-wide restrictions. This strategy is designed to speed-up the removal of high-risk substances from the market and make compliance easier for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Commissioner-designate Séjourné underlined the need for a more efficient regulatory framework that will rapidly eliminate harmful substances while providing long-term investment certainty for Europe's chemical industry.

Tighter PFAS Regulations with Essential Use Criteria

The revision will also target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known for their persistence in the environment. The EU plans a complete ban on PFAS in consumer products such as cosmetics, food packaging and outdoor equipment. However, essential use criteria will allow PFAS applications in critical industrial sectors where no viable alternatives exist. Commissioner-designate Roswall emphasised the importance of balancing environmental protection with industrial needs and supported the continued use of PFAS in essential applications under strictly controlled conditions until suitable substitutes are developed.

Tackling Information Gaps in Chemical Safety

The forthcoming revision of REACH aims to address existing information gaps on chemical safety. Enhanced data requirements in particular for substances identified as endocrine disruptors or those with high environmental persistence, will allow for more informed regulatory decisions. This approach aims to improve risk control and ensure that both human health and the environment are adequately protected.

Advancing Circular Economy Goals through Sustainable Chemical Practices

In line with the EU's Clean Industrial Deal and Circular Economy goals, the 2025 REACH revision promotes the sustainable use of chemicals and resource efficiency. By encouraging the adoption of safer alternatives and reducing dependence on virgin materials, the EU aims to foster a more sustainable and competitive chemical industry. Commissioner-designate Séjourné underlined the need to create an enabling framework for investments that drive the transition to green and digital solutions, including clean energy sources and sustainable chemicals.

As the 2025 revision of REACH approaches, the EU is ready to implement a streamlined regulatory framework that enhances chemical safety, supports sustainable industrial practices and protects public health and the environment.

The full text of the questionnaires can be found here and here.