EU Publishes Regulation Establishing a Common Data Platform on Chemicals

On 12 December 2025, the European Union formally established a Common Data Platform on Chemicals by publishing Regulation (EU) 2025/2455 in the Official Journal of the European Union. This creates a central digital infrastructure for the collection, sharing and reuse of chemicals-related data across EU institutions, agencies and Member States. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been designated as the platform’s operator.

Adopted on 26 November 2025, the regulation represents a key step in strengthening transparency, regulatory efficiency, and scientific coherence in EU chemicals management. It supports the ‘One Substance, One Assessment’ principle under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Centralising Chemicals Data Across EU Legislation

The common data platform is designed to centralise chemicals-related information currently dispersed across multiple EU databases and authorities. By improving data accessibility, interoperability, and reuse, the platform will support more consistent and scientifically robust regulatory decision-making across EU chemicals legislation while making non-confidential information available to the public.

The platform will also underpin a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals, enhancing the EU’s ability to track chemical pollution, emerging risks, and sustainability-related indicators across environmental and human health domains.

Scope of Data Included in the Platform

The regulation defines the broad scope of chemicals-related data to be integrated into the common data platform, consolidating regulatory, study and monitoring information generated under Union law. The platform will aggregate datasets provided by various EU bodies, each with responsibilities aligned to their respective mandates.

Datasets managed by ECHA will include, among others, information under REACH and the CLP inventory, as well as data on biocidal products and chemicals under the Drinking Water Directive. Contributions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will cover toxicological and chemical monitoring data related to the food chain. Datasets provided by the European Environment Agency (EEA) will include data on environmental emissions and chemical occurrence data. Data relating to human and veterinary medicinal products, managed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), will be integrated in a stepwise manner, subject to applicable sector-specific rules.

In addition, the platform will incorporate study-related data, particularly notifications of studies commissioned to meet regulatory obligations, alongside metadata that will enable authorities to identify existing studies and reduce duplication of testing. Environmental and human monitoring data, including information currently hosted through IPCHEM, will form a core component of the platform.

Further datasets will cover hazard, exposure and risk information, regulatory process status and outcomes, and reference values used in human health and environmental protection. Where available and non-confidential, information on alternatives to substances of concern and sustainability-related indicators will also be accessible through the platform. All data will be made available in line with existing confidentiality provisions under Union law.

Early Warning and Study Notification Mechanisms

The regulation introduces an early warning and action system for emerging chemical risks. This system is intended to strengthen the EU’s capacity to identify and respond to potential threats at an early stage. The European Environment Agency will compile early warning signals based on monitoring data, targeted research, and inputs from agencies including ECHA, EFSA, EMA, and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). The first annual report under this system is due by 2 July 2027.

The regulation also establishes mandatory study notification requirements for operators commissioning new scientific studies for regulatory purposes. Notifications must be submitted without undue delay after a study is commissioned. A dedicated database of study notifications, managed by ECHA and integrated into the common data platform, must be operational by 2 November 2027.

Key Dates and Implementation Timeline

• Publication in the Official Journal: 12 December 2025
• Entry into force: The regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, on 1 January 2026.
• Commission implementation plan: By 2 July 2026, the European Commission must adopt an implementation plan identifying the datasets to be included in the platform and setting out the timetable for their integration.
• Study notification obligation: From 2 November 2027, operators commissioning studies to meet obligations under EU chemicals legislation must notify these studies to the common data platform, with the aim of improving transparency and avoiding duplication.
• Operational platform deadline: By 2 January 2029, the common data platform on chemicals must be fully established and operational, integrating all required datasets and services.
• Regulation review: By 2 January 2032, the Commission must carry out a review of the regulation and assess whether amendments are needed.
• Integration of historical data: All chemical data generated prior to the platform’s establishment must be incorporated by 2 January 2036.

Implications for Regulators and Industry

The platform is expected to improve the consistency and scientific robustness of hazard and risk assessments across chemicals legislation for EU authorities. For industry, the new study notification requirement and improved data visibility are intended to reduce redundant testing and improve regulatory predictability.

The regulation marks a significant step toward a more integrated, data-driven EU chemicals management system, laying the groundwork for closer cooperation between agencies such as ECHA, EFSA, EEA and EMA.