On 21 October 2025, Sweden, backed by a coalition of Member States, raised the alarm over the stalled revision of the REACH Regulation during the Environment Council’s public session in Luxembourg. The move, under the "Any Other Business" agenda item, reignited political pressure on the European Commission to advance long-promised updates to the EU’s core chemicals legislation, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
The primary keyword in focus, REACH revision, holds significant implications for professionals across the chemicals value chain. Sweden underscored the need for a comprehensive modernisation of the regulation to better safeguard human health and the environment, while enhancing legal clarity and global competitiveness for the EU’s industrial base.
Lithuania, the Netherlands, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia echoed these concerns, collectively demanding transparency on the status and timeline of the proposal. Hungary explicitly requested a detailed explanation of internal obstacles delaying progress. France and Luxembourg lent cautious support but warned that simplification efforts must not dilute environmental and safety ambitions.
Widespread Support Highlights REACH Reform’s Strategic Importance
The widespread support highlights REACH's evolving role in addressing today’s environmental and industrial realities. Since its adoption in 2006, REACH has established a global benchmark for chemical safety. However, Member States now warn that the system has grown administratively burdensome and outdated, hindering effective regulation and innovation.
According to the Commission, the revised REACH framework remains a central element of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, part of the European Green Deal. A key aim of the revision is to shift from case-by-case authorisations toward faster, broader restrictions on hazardous substances. This would accelerate decision-making and reduce bureaucracy.
Key Objectives: Digitalisation, Enforcement, and Risk Reduction
Beyond authorisation streamlining, the Commission’s update will target:
- Improved supply chain communication through digitalisation
- Reduction in animal testing by promoting alternative methods
- Strengthened border enforcement to block non-compliant imports, especially via e-commerce
- A more robust evidence base for regulatory decision-making
While no definitive timeline was confirmed, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a “proportionate and effective” revision aligned with the goals of the Chemicals Strategy and the broader European Green Deal.
