EU: New European Chemicals Industry Action Plan

 

On July 8, 2025, the European Commission unveiled the long-anticipated European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, a key initiative to enhance the competitiveness and drive the transformation of the EU chemicals sector. This comprehensive plan is central to the EU’s broader strategy for sustainable development, energy transition, and innovation.

The Action Plan focuses on:

• Modernizing the EU chemicals industry,
• Supporting the shift to a low-carbon, circular economy,
• Creating a market for green and innovative products,
• Simplifying the regulatory framework while upholding high safety standards for chemical substances and mixtures in the EU market.

Regulatory Simplification – Omnibus VI Package

As part of the Action Plan, the Commission adopted the sixth simplification package (Omnibus VI) to reduce administrative and financial burdens on the chemical industry. The key updates span regulations on chemical labeling (CLP), cosmetics, fertilizers, and support broader goals of decarbonization and circular economy.

Changes to Chemical Labeling (CLP Regulation)

Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) include:

• Simplified label formatting: Greater flexibility for hazardous chemical labels, including minimum font sizes, color use, and spacing.
• Digital contact information: Labels must now include the supplier’s online contact details.
• Labeling exemptions for small packages: Clarified rules for containers under 10 ml, removing the need to prove their unsuitability for full labels.
• Advertising and distance selling: New requirements limit advertising scope and mandate the inclusion of the phrase: “Always read the label and product information before use.”
• Reduced advertising obligations: Fewer information requirements for advertising chemical substances and mixtures.
• Label update flexibility: Removes the fixed 6-month deadline for label updates; now required “without undue delay.”

The package also introduces transitional measures and deferred application dates for changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, particularly regarding label formatting and remote sales.

Cosmetic Products – Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Updates

Omnibus VI also simplifies Regulation 1223/2009 on cosmetic products by:

• Faster approval of cosmetic ingredients: A streamlined process for approving colorants, preservatives, and UV filters via consultation with the SCCS, typically within 12 months.
• Clarified derogation for CMR substances (categories 1A and 1B):
  • Derogation applications must be submitted within three months of changes to CLP Annex VI.
  • Removed the requirement to demonstrate food safety compliance.
  • Clearer rules on identifying suitable alternatives.
• Standardized nomenclature for cosmetic ingredients aligned with international naming systems.
• Simplified nanomaterials notification: Eliminates dual notification obligations under Articles 13 and 16, consolidating into a single notification under Article 13.

Fertilizers – Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/1009

Key updates to Regulation 2019/1009 on EU fertilizer products include:

• Removal of extended REACH registration for substances used in fertilizers.
• New assessment rules for microorganisms: Allows the Commission to set criteria for verifying the safety and efficacy of microbes used in plant biostimulants (excluding CMC 7).
• Abolition of the “decoupling clause” (Article 43), allowing for grouped delegated acts instead of per-category acts.
• Increased digitalization:
  • Mandatory online contact details on labels,
  • Digital CE declarations of conformity,
  • Electronic documentation for conformity assessments,
  • Digital information-sharing with authorities on product compliance.

Future REACH Reform and PFAS Restrictions

By end of 2025, the Commission plans to propose a revision of the REACH Regulation to further streamline procedures while supporting competitiveness, safety, and sustainability.

Additionally, the Action Plan reiterates the Commission’s commitment to minimizing PFAS emissions. New restrictions will be science-based and targeted, allowing continued use of PFAS only in critical applications where no viable alternatives exist, following ECHA’s scientific opinion.