REACH
The cornerstone of EU Chemicals Regulation
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is the EU’s comprehensive regulation designed to protect people and the environment from potential risks posed by chemicals. Enforced since June 2007, REACH primarily regulates the production and use of chemical substances. It applies to all chemical substances, not just those used in industrial processes but also those found in everyday products like cleaning supplies, paints, clothes, furniture, and electronic appliances. Companies are required to identify and manage the risks associated with substances they manufacture or market in the EU. If risks cannot be managed adequately, authorities can restrict the use of these substances.
The principle of “no data – no market” ensures that no substance can be manufactured, used or imported in the EU without prior registration with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This mechanism ensures comprehensive information on chemical substances is available, fostering informed decision making, enhancing trust, and promoting safe use of chemicals in Europe.
Cefic has been proactively supporting the REACH implementation, notably through its Dossier Improvement Action Plan. Launched in 2019, this initiative aims to systematically review and update data in previously submitted REACH registration dossiers.
A path towards simplifying REACH
On 1 December the new European Commission took office. Executive Vice-President (EVP) for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stephane Séjourné and Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall are tasked with the preparation of the Chemicals Industry Package.
During their confirmation hearings in front of the European Parliament both Commissioners indicated that this Package will include a proposal to simplify and modernise REACH without compromising on the protection of human health and the environment, confirming what President Von der Leyen had indicated in her Political Guidance 2024-2029 and in the Mission Letters of the two Commissioners.
The “Competitiveness Compass for the EU”, published in January 2025, states that “the revision of the REACH Regulation will cover the existing acquis and new initiatives on chemicals, bringing a real simplification on the ground and ensuring faster decision-making on important hazards, as well as sustainability, competitiveness, security and safety.”
The Commission’s 2025 Work Programme confirmed that a “targeted revision” would take place by the end of the same year, with the aim of covering ” the existing acquis and new initiatives on chemicals, bringing a real simplification on the ground and ensuring faster decision-making on important hazards, as well as sustainability, competitiveness, security and safety”.
Cefic’s action plan
In line with the European Commission’s intentions, Cefic calls for any action on REACH to deliver real simplification, reduce unnecessary burden for industry, increase predictability, and foster a regulatory environment that secures investments while also protecting health and the environment.
Cefic’s 10-point action plan covers the following overarching principles:
- Obtain a more predictable, evidence-based framework for regulating chemicals
Cefic calls for clear, evidence-based regulations and thorough risk assessments, ensuring transparent and predictable regulatory processes with clear timelines. Authorisation and restriction procedures must be streamlined and efficient, while avoiding simplistic assessments that overlook the complexity of chemical substances and their uses. - Avoid adding unnecessary burden for industry
As called for in the Commission Work Programme, unnecessary administrative burdens for industry should be removed and no new excessive burden should be added. Cefic urges the development of clear problem definitions before regulating polymers and advocates using existing legal mechanisms for managing combined exposure, instead of introducing new measures like the Mixture Allocation Factor. - Improve data requirements and the registration process
Data requirements must focus on essential safety information, reducing complexity , costs and the need for animal testing. Continuous dialogue between companies and ECHA during evaluations will improve processes, while the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) will modernise chemical safety assessments and enhance efficiency. - Ensure rules on chemicals are enforced & enforceable
Cefic emphasises the need for a level playing field, ensuring that EU companies are not disadvantaged by less stringent regulations for non-EU competitors.
