Chemicals
Chemical substances are fundamental for many daily activities and can be found in everyday products. Sound management of chemicals is therefore crucial to protecting human health and the environment.
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On 17 June 2026, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on simplifying rules related to the classification, packaging and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics products and fertilising products.
The agreement reduces unnecessary administrative burdens, supports innovation and circularity, and maintains high standards of consumer and environmental protection.
These provisions are the remaining part of the 'Omnibus VI' package, which simplifies rules in the field of chemical products while maintaining a high level of protection for consumers and the environment.
REACH
Since 2007, the European regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) has established procedures for collecting and assessing information on the properties and hazards of chemical substances, from those used in industrial processes to those in our daily lives (paints, clothes, plastic goods).
All companies manufacturing, importing, distributing or using chemicals as raw materials or finished products must:
- register these substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- identify and manage the risks linked to these substances
After evaluating the information received, the ECHA and member states can restrict or ban the use of specific substances if the risks involved cannot be managed.
Classification, labelling and packaging
Since 2009, the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals regulation has ensured that companies can describe and label their hazardous chemicals using the same criteria in all EU member states before putting them on the market.
In October 2024, the Council adopted new rules to:
- clarify the labelling for chemical substances
- improve procedures for providing information on hazards related to chemicals placed on the EU market
- accelerate the procedure for identifying hazardous substances
- include specific requirements for refillable chemical products
On 17 November 2025, the Council gave its final greenlight to the postponement of rules on the CLP regulation. This 'stop-the-clock' mechanism postpones to 1 January 2028 the date of applications for the regulation.
On 16 June 2026, the co-legislators agreed to postpone the date of application of the CLP rules to 1 January 2030. They also agreed on:
- simplifying labelling rules, basing them on general readability criteria rather than detailed specifications, with the sole exception of a specific minimum font size for products aimed at the general public
- specific labelling derogations for small packaging
- extending the transitional period for relabelling obligations when substances in products are reclassified to a higher level of hazard, to reduce compliance costs for the industry
Specific chemicals
Fertilisers
Since July 2022, the fertilising products regulation has ensured that EU fertilising products (e.g. fertilisers, soil improvers, growing media) bearing the 'CE marking' can be sold freely all over the EU after fulfilling specific requirements.
The rules also:
- establish harmonised limits for a range of contaminants, such as cadmium, contained in mineral fertilisers
- aim to boost the production and use of organic fertilisers
On 22 July 2024, the Council adopted a regulation for digital labelling for EU fertilising products.
The regulation aims to improve the readability of labels, leading to a more efficient use of fertilisers, and to simplify the labelling obligations for suppliers.
The new rules will:
- promote the wider use of digital labelling
- improve the information available to farmers and other consumers, including vulnerable groups or people with limited digital competences
- reduce costs and the environmental footprint of producers
Detergents
Since 2005, the detergents regulation has laid down the rules that detergents need to comply with in order to be placed and move freely in the internal market. They must:
- contain soaps that are fully biodegradable
- indicate the ingredient and dosage information on their label
On 8 December 2025, the Council gave its final approval to new EU rules to make detergents safer for people and the environment.
The new legislation:
- boosts the biodegradability of surfactants in detergents, particularly in capsule film coatings
- enables the reduction of harmful substances
- improves the information on labels (for instance including fragrance allergens and preservatives) and makes the information from manufacturers available to authorities and medical personnel
- introduces digital labelling and the digital product passport for detergents and surfactants
- forbids animal testing for detergents and surfactants
- encourages sustainable new practices such as the sale of detergent refills
On 16 June 2026, the co-legislators agreed to postpone the date of application of the fertilising regulation to 1 January 2030. They also drew up additional amendments regarding the registration and authorisation of fertilisers’ components, tasking the Commission with exploring new criteria for registering materials that can be used in fertilisers, in order to support innovation in the sector.
Cosmetics
Since 2013, the cosmetics regulation has ensured the safety of cosmetics products (e.g. toothpaste, perfume, sunscreen) placed on the EU market, whilst promoting innovation in the sector.
The EU rules also:
- require the registration of all cosmetic products being placed on the EU market
- give special attention to certain cosmetic products (e.g. endocrine disruptors, hair dye products) with a greater health risk or scientific complexity
- establish a ban on animal testing for cosmetic purposes
On 16 June 2026, the co-legislators agreed on:
- adapting the length of the transitional periods for phasing out carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) substances proportionally to their underlying risks
- the need for Commission guidance on alternative substances that could replace a CMR substance in a product
- preserving the extensive notification for nanomaterials in cosmetic products, which must be sent prior to placement on the market
Persistent organic pollutants
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are particularly harmful substances. They can be found in waste coming from some consumer products such as waterproof textiles, furniture, plastics, and electronic equipment.
To reach a circular economy, where waste will be increasingly used as a secondary raw material, establishing new limits to the presence of POPs in waste is essential.
The Council adopted a regulation to this effect in October 2022.
Chemicals strategy
The chemical industry is the fourth largest manufacturing sector in the EU, with 29 000 companies providing 1.2 million direct jobs and supporting 19 million jobs across supply chains.
In March 2021, the Council adopted conclusions endorsing the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability presented by the Commission.
The strategy sets out a long-term vision for the EU chemicals policy to help the EU and its member states:
- better protect human health
- strengthen the chemical industry's competitiveness
- support a toxic-free environment
The strategy also includes rules on the 'one substance, one assessment' package, which the Council adopted on 13 November 2025. The rules will streamline safety assessments on chemicals and thereby make it easier to share data, identify risks and drive innovation towards safe and sustainable chemicals. This, in turn, will better protect people's health and the environment from harmful chemicals.
Last review: 26 June 2025