What Changed

The European Commission is pushing a series of "omnibus packages" to simplify chemical regulations across the EU. At the same time, the long-awaited REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) revision—originally promised for February 2025—has been pushed to the second half of 2026 after the Regulatory Scrutiny Board rejected its impact assessment in September 2025.

Why It Matters

Three specific changes are moving through the legislative process. First, the Commission wants to scrap periodic reviews of pesticide active ingredients to redirect resources toward assessing new substances. Second, recently adopted CLP (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging) labeling requirements are being rolled back after industry complained about redesign costs. Third, the blanket ban on carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) substances in cosmetics may be relaxed—regulators could allow such chemicals in skin-contact products if safety assessments show risk only through ingestion or inhalation.

For chemical manufacturers and importers who do business in Europe, these changes could mean less labeling overhead in the short term, but also more uncertainty about where REACH requirements will land when the revision finally publishes.

Key Details

• CLP labeling rollback: Recently adopted label redesign requirements reversed after industry pushback
• Pesticide review changes: Periodic reviews of active ingredients eliminated in favor of new-substance assessments
• Cosmetics CMR relaxation: Blanket ban on carcinogenic/mutagenic/reprotoxic substances in cosmetics may be loosened
• REACH revision delayed: Now expected in the second half of 2026 (originally due February 2025)
• Industry support: The European Chemical Industry Council says the changes will "allow chemical firms more flexibility and reinforce industrial resilience"
• Political backing: Commission President von der Leyen: "We all agree we need simplification, we need deregulation"

What to Watch

The REACH revision remains the big unknown. Its impact assessment failed the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, and the revised version must clear that hurdle before publication. Chemical companies that export to the EU should track the revision timeline closely—when it lands, it will likely bring new registration requirements, updated substance restrictions, and changes to authorization processes.

In the meantime, the CLP labeling rollback could save money for companies that had already started redesigning labels. But be cautious about over-investing in the current framework; REACH changes could alter classification and labeling requirements again once finalized. The full C&EN report covers the legislative details.