EU Set to Debate ‘One Substance, One Assessment’ Chemicals Package to Overhaul Safety Rules

Pushes for Simplified Chemical Safety Assessments

The European Commission’s proposals seek to unify how chemical substances are assessed under EU law. The ‘one substance, one assessment’ model will allow data to be used more efficiently across multiple regulations, reducing redundancy and improving consistency in decision-making.

Three legislative files are on the table: the establishment of a common data platform, the reallocation of scientific and technical tasks among EU agencies, and amendments to the rules on restricting hazardous substances in electronic equipment.

This package is part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and supports the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, aiming to protect health and the environment while spurring innovation in safer substances.

Industry Impacts and Compliance Considerations

Manufacturers, particularly in the chemicals, electronics, automotive, and textiles sectors, should monitor this proposal closely. If adopted, it would centralise evaluations of chemical risks, potentially speeding up authorisation processes but also demanding more harmonised and transparent data.

The proposed system is expected to improve regulatory certainty, but industry stakeholders will need to reassess how they generate and manage substance data, especially where multiple product regulations intersect.

What Happens Next?

Following the debate on 31 March, MEPs will vote on 1 April to formalise Parliament’s position. If passed, the proposal will move forward in the ordinary legislative process.

The European Commission has also announced that it will present a chemicals industry package later in 2025, alongside a targeted REACH revision. This signals further regulatory tightening on the horizon for those handling or producing chemical substances.