Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

ECHA Consultation Ends on Draft Annex XIV Recommendation for Triphenyl Phosphate

On 2 May 2026 ECHA closed the public consultation on its draft REACH Annex XIV authorisation recommendation for Triphenyl phosphate. This moves the substance a step closer to possible inclusion on the Authorisation List, so EU users should monitor upcoming ECHA and Commission decisions and begin planning for potential authorisation and substitution obligations.

13 May 2026, 11:52chem.echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Ends Consultation on Draft REACH Annex XIV Recommendation for Bumetrizole

On 2 May 2026, ECHA closed its public consultation on a draft REACH Annex XIV recommendation to add Bumetrizole (UV‑326) to the Authorisation List. This moves the substance one step closer to possible authorisation requirements under REACH, signalling likely future pressure for substitution or authorisation applications by affected users.

13 May 2026, 11:52echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Ends Consultation on Draft REACH Annex XIV Recommendation for 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (CAS 119344-86-4)

ECHA has closed the public consultation on its draft 13th REACH Annex XIV recommendation to prioritise the photoinitiator 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (CAS 119344-86-4) for inclusion in the Authorisation List. This moves the substance a step closer to future authorisation requirements for UV inks and coatings in the EU, so users should start assessing dependence on it and preparing substitution or authorisation strategies.

13 May 2026, 11:52echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU CARACAL Publishes Cosmetics Europe Comments on CLP Transfer ATP for Siloxanes L3, L4 and M3T

Cosmetics Europe has submitted a two‑page position paper via the EU CARACAL CIRCABC workspace setting out its views on the planned “Transfer ATP” under the CLP Regulation for harmonised classification of linear siloxanes L3, L4 and M3T. The association highlights the exceptional, less predictable nature of this route compared with the standard CLH / RAC process and calls for adequate, staggered transition periods—18 months for substances that became SVHCs before 11 June 2025 and 48 months for those listed afterwards—alongside a public consultation, signalling industry pressure for longer lead times if the Transfer ATP proceeds.

8 May 2026, 17:57circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Reviews Abbott Request To Modify Interim Reduction Target for 4‑tert‑OPnEO Authorisation (Use 2)

ECHA is assessing a REACH Annex XIV review report in which Abbott seeks to modify the interim reduction target attached to its authorised professional use of 4-tert-OPnEO in in-vitro diagnostic devices, while keeping substitution activities on track to complete by January 2033. If the European Commission ultimately adjusts these conditions, it could change near-term compliance obligations for this use and signal how regulators balance aggressive phase-out schedules against continuity of critical diagnostic testing under REACH authorisation.

8 May 2026, 09:21echa.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Partially Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide in Cosmetics Plating

In April 2026 the European Commission partially granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation for chromium trioxide use in functional chrome plating of small plastic components for the cosmetics sector, with the summary published in the Official Journal on 6 May 2026. This decision allows the authorised use under strict conditions until a review deadline of 1 July 2030, so companies in affected plating and cosmetics supply chains must align their operations and authorisation reliance with the specified use, holder and review period.

8 May 2026, 07:44eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Amends Industrial Emissions Directive To Integrate Hazardous Substances Into Permits and Environmental Management Systems

Directive (EU) 2024/1785 tightens the EU Industrial Emissions Directive by embedding REACH-defined hazardous substances into environmental permits and mandatory environmental management systems, with staged obligations and deadlines running from 2026 to 2036. For large industrial operators this makes chemicals strategy, especially for SVHCs, restricted substances and PFAS-like chemistries, a central compliance and reputational risk lever requiring robust substance inventories, substitution planning, and greater public transparency on chemical use and emissions.

8 May 2026, 06:55eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Authorises Chromium Trioxide Use For Decorative Chrome Plating In Hydrosanitary And Food Sectors

In April 2026 the European Commission granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation allowing chromium trioxide to continue to be used by B.A.P. S.r.l. for decorative chrome plating in hydrosanitary and food-sector applications until 1 July 2030. This decision maintains business continuity for affected chrome-plated components but underscores ongoing dependence on high-risk hexavalent chromium uses, making it important to track the 2030 review and potential substitution or stricter conditions.

7 May 2026, 05:58eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide Use in Gun Barrels

The European Commission has granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation to Sako Oy for the use of chromium trioxide in functional plating of non-civilian gun barrels, based on a decision adopted on 24 April 2026 with review running until December 2035. This secures continued use of a high-risk chromium(VI) substance for specialised defence applications while signalling that future renewals will depend on socio-economic justification and the availability of safer alternatives.

5 May 2026, 07:24eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Authorisation To Société Française De Galvanoplastie For Use Of Chromium Trioxide

In late April 2026 the European Commission published an Implementing Decision partially granting a REACH authorisation to Société Française de Galvanoplastie for a specified use of chromium trioxide. This keeps a critical hexavalent chromium application legally covered for SFG under defined conditions and a review period, so customers and suppliers should verify whether their uses fall within the authorised scope and plan for longer-term substitution.

3 May 2026, 14:58ec.europa.euEuropean Union

German REACH Authorities Launch Call for Evidence on 1,4‑Dioxane Emissions From PET Lifecycle

German REACH authorities have launched a call for evidence on 1,4‑dioxane emissions from PET production, processing and recycling to decide whether to draft an Annex XV restriction dossier under REACH, with responses due by 27 July 2026. This pre‑proposal step signals possible future limits on PET‑related 1,4‑dioxane discharges, so PET producers, processors and recyclers should assess their emission profiles, existing controls and the data they can submit to influence the scope and feasibility of any eventual restriction.

30 Apr 2026, 10:41ec.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic AreaGermany

Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals Sets Four Key Demands for Global Chemical Companies

An investor coalition coordinated by ChemSec and representing over $23 trillion in assets is intensifying engagement with major chemical producers, demanding greater transparency on hazardous-chemical revenues, time-bound phase-out plans for persistent chemicals, smaller hazardous portfolios, and 2030 targets to grow safer solutions. This raises strategic pressure on boards to align product portfolios with REACH, CSRD and tightening PFAS regulation, reduce long-tail litigation and remediation risks, and demonstrate credible transition plans to investors and customers.

30 Apr 2026, 09:01chemsec.orgGlobalUnited StatesEuropean Union

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisations For Chromium Trioxide In Automotive And Sanitary Plastic Components

In April 2026 the European Commission partially granted REACH Annex XIV authorisations for specified chromium trioxide uses in etching and electroplating plastic components for the automotive and sanitary sectors, with a review period running until July 2030. This keeps critical surface-finishing applications legally possible but time-limited, so affected automotive and sanitary supply chains should monitor the detailed authorisation conditions and plan substitution or reformulation strategies ahead of the 2030 review.

29 Apr 2026, 06:51eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisations for Chromium Trioxide Uses

In April 2026 the European Commission partially granted REACH Annex XIV authorisations for specific chromium trioxide uses in plastic electroplating, as formalised in an Official Journal summary. These decisions let METALPLAST and CO.BE. continue key uses until a 1 July 2030 review, while underscoring ongoing regulatory pressure around chromium trioxide and the need to plan safer alternatives.

28 Apr 2026, 19:51eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU ECHA Flags REACH Authorisation and Restriction Need for Trimellitate Plasticiser Tris(2-ethylhexyl) Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylate (TOTM)

ECHA’s assessment of regulatory needs for isophthalate, terephthalate and trimellitate plasticisers identifies the high-tonnage trimellitate TOTM (tris(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylate) as requiring a combination of REACH restriction on article uses and eventual Annex XIV authorisation, now reflected on its ARN list entry updated in April 2026. This signals that widely used TOTM, often employed as a replacement for ortho-phthalates in polymers, articles and potentially food-contact uses, is likely to face tightening EU controls, so downstream users should start mapping uses, exposure routes and substitution options ahead of future CLH, SVHC and restriction proposals.

28 Apr 2026, 18:22echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Grants REACH Authorisation to Sirio Galv for Chromium Trioxide in Decorative Functional Chrome Plating

In April 2026 the European Commission granted Sirio Galv S.R.L a REACH authorisation (REACH/26/16/0) to use chromium trioxide in decorative functional chrome plating for lighting, heating, and furniture applications, with the review period running until 1 July 2030. This extends permitted use of a high‑risk hexavalent chromium compound for specific supply chains while setting a clear horizon for future review and potential substitution decisions.

28 Apr 2026, 16:22eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide in Automotive Plastic Plating

In April 2026 the European Commission partially granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation allowing HAPOC GmbH & Co KG to use chromium trioxide for etching and electroplating automotive plastic parts, with a review period running until 1 July 2030. This decision keeps a high‑risk substance available for critical automotive surface treatments on a time‑limited basis, signalling ongoing compliance obligations and future pressure to identify safer alternatives.

28 Apr 2026, 16:22eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide Uses

In April 2026, the European Commission partially granted a REACH authorisation for chromium trioxide use by Mikro Metal S.R.L., with the decision summarised in the EU Official Journal. This time-limited authorisation, running until 1 July 2030, underscores ongoing regulatory pressure on hexavalent chromium uses and the need to plan for substitution or future review applications.

28 Apr 2026, 16:22eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU / ECHA Annual Report 2025 Highlights PFAS And Chromates Restrictions, SVHC Updates, And DWD IT Readiness

ECHA’s 2025 Annual Report confirms intensive work on PFAS and chromates restriction dossiers, new SVHC listings, and expanded digital infrastructure including the ECHA CHEM database and Drinking Water Directive IT systems across the EU. These developments signal where EU chemicals regulation is heading, tightening risk management for persistent and high‑concern substances and preparing new data and notification obligations under REACH, CLP, water, batteries and packaging frameworks that companies must factor into medium‑term planning.

27 Apr 2026, 18:55echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Consolidates Member-State Comments on Environment Omnibus Simplification for Batteries and Industrial Emissions Portal

In March 2026 the Council of the EU issued a working document consolidating 15 Member States’ comments on the Environment Omnibus simplification proposal to amend the EU Batteries Regulation and the Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation. These positions show where governments may back or resist changes to producer definitions, hazardous-substance labelling, battery repairability and industrial reporting burdens, shaping how far regulatory simplification will go for battery value chains and intensive livestock and aquaculture operators.

27 Apr 2026, 17:50data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union