News Details

On 15 April 2026, the European Parliament’s Committees on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted their joint draft report on the Omnibus VI proposal (2025/0531(COD)) with 114 votes in favour, 6 against and 7 abstentions, marking a key step in the legislative process to simplify EU chemicals legislation.

Committee Agreement Marks Key Step

The proposal, originally presented by the European Commission in July 2025, aims to streamline requirements under several key regulatory frameworks, including the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, the Cosmetics Regulation and the Fertilising Products Regulation. This initiative is part of the EU’s broader effort to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment.

The adoption follows the consideration of amendments tabled earlier in 2026 and marks a key step in establishing the European Parliament’s position ahead of plenary consideration.

Focus on Simplification of Chemicals Rules

The Omnibus VI proposal introduces a range of simplification measures, including adjustments to labelling requirements, alignment of information obligations across legislative frameworks, and the introduction of transitional periods to facilitate implementation.

In the area of CLP, MEPs support many of the Commission’s proposed changes but seek to retain key information requirements on labels. In particular, they emphasise that labelling must remain legible for consumers and call for the reintroduction of a requirement to include a supplier telephone number. They also propose that hazard information should be included in advertisements for hazardous substances and mixtures.

In order to avoid potential implementation issues while the broader Omnibus VI reform is still under negotiation, the EU has adopted a temporary “stop-the-clock” measure, delaying the application of certain CLP requirements, including label formatting and advertising obligations to 1 January 2028.

Additional Provisions for Cosmetics and Fertilising Products

For cosmetic products, the committees propose several changes compared to the Commission’s original proposal. In particular, MEPs support a shorter transition period for the continued sale of cosmetics containing carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) substances, and reject proposed changes that would allow broader exemptions for CMR substances based on exposure routes.

They also call for stricter requirements for cosmetic products containing nanomaterials, including notification prior to placing products on the market, and for clearer information to be provided to consumers in the case of distance sales.

In the fertilising products sector, MEPs highlight the need for regulatory simplification to support EU producers and farmers, while maintaining high levels of protection for health and the environment.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

The committee vote represents an important procedural milestone, establishing the European Parliament’s position ahead of plenary consideration. Parliament is expected to adopt its mandate for negotiations with the Council during the April plenary session, after which interinstitutional negotiations with the Council and the Commission are expected to begin.