The Council of the EU has formally adopted its position on the final part of the “Omnibus VI” package, paving the way for simplified rules governing chemical products across Europe.
The proposal, endorsed on 5 November 2025, focuses on reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining high consumer and environmental safety standards. It updates legislation on the classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of chemicals, cosmetic products, and fertilisers.
This development is key for professionals across the chemical supply chain, from manufacturers to downstream users and regulatory compliance teams. The updated rules promise to streamline obligations and enhance legal certainty ahead of major compliance deadlines, notably the postponed application of the revised CLP regulation now set for 1 January 2028.
Streamlined Compliance Under the CLP Regulation
A central focus of the Council’s mandate is the CLP regulation, revised in 2024. The Council clarified label readability requirements, adjusted font sizing rules, and aligned the definition of ‘digital contacts’ with broader EU digitalisation efforts.
The mandate retains the “digital by default” principle and eases advertising obligations for professional users. It also limits exemptions for online business-to-business sales unless digital platforms are inaccessible to the public. A phone contact remains compulsory, but digital alternatives are permitted, offering suppliers greater flexibility.
New Safeguards for Cosmetics and Nanomaterials
The Council’s revisions to the cosmetic products regulation reflect a precautionary stance. While allowing more time to phase out cosmetics containing carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances compared to current rules, it rejects the Commission’s proposed exemptions based on exposure route.
The revised mandate reintroduces advance notification requirements for nanomaterials in cosmetics. Companies must now notify authorities prior to placing such products on the market, rather than six months in advance.
Environmental Oversight for Fertilising Products
Changes to the 2019 fertilising products regulation address risks posed by emerging micro-organisms. Micro-organisms used in products exceeding 10 tonnes annually must be registered.
Assessment processes will now involve either the Joint Research Centre (JRC) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), boosting scientific rigour. Additionally, REACH registration requirements are reinstated for substances with harmonised classification as particularly hazardous.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps and Strategic Impact
With Council approval secured, negotiations with the European Parliament will now begin. The initiative forms part of a wider EU drive for regulatory simplification in response to the Letta and Draghi competitiveness reports and the Budapest Declaration’s call for a “simplification revolution”.
Professionals across the chemicals ecosystem should closely monitor upcoming trilogues, as final provisions may significantly influence product development, labelling strategies and supply chain compliance across multiple sectors.
