Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

European Commission Proposes Simplifying Amendments To EU Batteries And Industrial Emissions Portal Regulations (COM(2025) 981)

COM(2025) 981 is a Commission proposal that would make targeted amendments to the EU Batteries Regulation and the Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation to clarify producer and SVHC labelling obligations for batteries and ease reporting requirements for livestock and aquaculture operators. If adopted, it would tighten extended producer responsibility coverage, shift some battery design and labelling expectations, and reduce administrative costs for farms and aquaculture while maintaining environmental information flows for EU-level monitoring.

24 May 2026, 21:09eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Prepares Draft Withdrawal of Tata Steel Coke Gas Plant Permits

In May 2026 the Dutch government informed Parliament that the Noordzeekanaalgebied Environmental Service is preparing a draft decision to withdraw Tata Steel IJmuiden’s KGF1 and KGF2 coke gas plant permits due to persistent breaches of environmental standards, including emissions of very concerning substances, alongside disputes over steel slag classification and a legal challenge to the company’s tailored agreement. Taken together, these steps sharply increase enforcement and continuity risk for Tata Steel’s Dutch operations, foreshadowing potential controlled closure of the coke plants and signalling tougher Dutch expectations on hazardous substances, waste handling and permit compliance for heavy industry.

23 May 2026, 11:18zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Flevoland Province Publishes Draft Omgevingsvisie 2050 on Spatial, Energy and Environmental Policy

Flevoland has published a draft Omgevingsvisie 2050 that sets a long-term, legally binding provincial framework for spatial planning, energy, water, agriculture, datacentres and hazardous-substance management, now opened for public consultation. For companies, this signals significantly tighter expectations around PFAS, pesticides and other high-risk substances, more restrictive siting and energy-system conditions for energy-intensive industry and datacentres, and a stronger link between climate, water and land-use considerations in future permits and investment decisions in Flevoland.

20 May 2026, 17:56zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

EU NGOs Comment On CLP Transfer ATP For EDC, PBT And vPvB Classifications

In April 2026, NGOs EEB and PAN Europe submitted comments on the EU CLP “transfer ATP” proposal to move existing endocrine disruptor and PBT/vPvB classifications for pesticides and biocides into Annex VI. They call for a shorter six-month transition period and for specific active substances to be (re)included, signalling stakeholder pressure to accelerate and broaden harmonised hazard communication under CLP, REACH, BPR and PPP.

20 May 2026, 17:52circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany Supports 18‑Month Transition Period for CLP Annex VI Transfer ATP

Germany’s chemicals authority has formally called for an 18‑month transition period in the upcoming CLP Annex VI “transfer” delegated act moving ED/PBT/vPvB listings from REACH, BPR and PPPR into CLP. If the Commission accepts this position, companies handling affected substances would gain extra time to adjust classifications, labelling and safety data sheets, easing implementation planning while final timelines still depend on the adopted text.

20 May 2026, 06:53circabc.europa.euEuropean UnionGermany

Swedish Chemicals Agency Comments on CLP Annex VI Transfer ATPs for D5, D6 and RP-HP

In April 2026 the Swedish Chemicals Agency submitted comments on the EU’s CLP Annex VI transfer ATPs, supporting removal of certain PBT and ED ENV hazard classes from harmonised entries for D5, D6 and RP-HP where these classifications rely on impurities. This signals a regulatory focus on classifying the underlying impurity substances instead, while ensuring that mixtures containing D4 or 4-HPbl above harmonised concentration limits remain subject to hazard-based classification obligations.

20 May 2026, 06:53circabc.europa.euEuropean UnionSweden

DUCC Submits Feedback to CARACAL-57 on CLP Annex VI Transfer ATP, Urging Minimum 18-Month Transition

In April 2026, DUCC submitted feedback to the EU CARACAL-57 meeting on the planned CLP Annex VI transfer ATP, urging alignment with standard ATP practice and at least an 18-month transition period, with longer timelines for some newly listed SVHCs. If this approach is accepted, downstream users across multiple sectors could gain more predictable lead time to update safety documents, labels, formulations and certifications before stricter harmonised classifications take effect.

20 May 2026, 06:52circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

France Sets Out Position on CLP Annex VI "Transfer" ATP Under Article 37(7)

On 15 April 2026, the French authorities set out a detailed position in favour of a broad CLP Annex VI “transfer” ATP under Article 37(7), including SVHC-based classifications and a relatively short 12–18 month transition period. If this approach is reflected in the final ATP, many candidate-list and evaluated substances are likely to receive harmonised EU classifications on an accelerated timetable, so companies using them should anticipate new Annex VI entries, ensure CAS/EC identifiers match the Candidate List, and plan earlier updates to classification, labelling, and safety data sheets.

20 May 2026, 06:52circabc.europa.euEuropean UnionFrance

EU Council Presidency Clarifies Batteries Regulation Amendments on QR Codes, Reporting and SVHC Labelling

The EU Council Presidency has issued a March 2026 explanatory note clarifying its compromise amendments to the Batteries Regulation, focusing on QR-code marking timelines, reporting schedules, and SVHC-related labelling. If carried into the final legislation, these changes would delay QR-code obligations until after the implementing act is adopted, define clearer 2026–2028 reporting milestones, and refine which substance information and data points battery manufacturers and downstream users must reflect on labels and in compliance systems.

18 May 2026, 16:09data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Austria (AT CA) Supports Inclusion of RP‑HP in CLP Annex VI (Transfer ATP)

Austria’s chemicals authority has formally backed including the SVHC reaction products RP‑HP in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation via the forthcoming Transfer ATP, arguing there is no legal basis to exclude it simply because its hazards are driven by the 4‑HPbl constituent. This strengthens the signal that ED/PBT/vPvB Candidate List substances like RP‑HP will move into harmonised CLP entries, foreshadowing future EU‑wide labelling and risk‑management obligations once the delegated act is adopted.

18 May 2026, 11:56circabc.europa.euEuropean UnionAustria

ECHA Further Assessment Finds No Immediate REACH Restriction Needed for Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic Acid 1,2-anhydride Uses

In May 2026 ECHA completed a further assessment of regulatory needs for a group of phthalic anhydrides, including benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2-anhydride, and concluded that a REACH restriction on professional, consumer and article uses is not currently warranted. This reduces near-term risk of new REACH restrictions on these uses while signalling that regulatory attention will focus instead on harmonised classification and existing controls, allowing companies to prioritise monitoring over immediate reformulation or phase-out.

15 May 2026, 15:06echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Further Assessment Finds No REACH Restriction Needed for Phthalic Anhydrides

In May 2026 ECHA published a further assessment of regulatory needs for phthalic anhydrides, concluding that a REACH restriction targeting professional, consumer and article uses is not currently necessary. This reduces the short-term risk of broad EU use restrictions on these substances, but expanded harmonised classifications remain likely so companies should focus on exposure control, labelling and monitoring classification outcomes.

15 May 2026, 15:06echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU ECHA Assessment Finds No Need for REACH Restriction on Cyclohexane-1,2-Dicarboxylic Anhydride

In May 2026 ECHA completed a further regulatory-needs assessment for cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride within a wider group of phthalic anhydrides and concluded that a REACH restriction on professional, consumer and article uses is not currently necessary. This eases near-term restriction risk for this group but keeps pressure on companies to manage sensitisation hazards through harmonised classification, Candidate List status and robust worker and consumer protection, while monitoring any future changes in regulatory priorities.

15 May 2026, 15:06echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Further Assessment Concludes No REACH Restriction Needed for Phthalic Anhydrides Including Hexahydro-4-methylphthalic Anhydride

In May 2026 ECHA published a further assessment of phthalic anhydrides and hydrogenated phthalic anhydrides, concluding that no REACH restriction on professional, consumer or article uses is currently needed for this group, which includes hexahydro-4-methylphthalic anhydride. This signals a lower near-term likelihood of a broad REACH restriction for these resins and hardeners, while shifting regulatory focus to harmonised classification, labelling and worker protection and requiring companies to recalibrate risk and substitution planning accordingly.

15 May 2026, 15:05echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Launches Two REACH Authorisation Consultations On Nonylphenolethoxylates For Roche Diagnostics

ECHA has opened two REACH authorisation consultations on Roche Diagnostics’ use of 4-Nonylphenol, branched and linear, ethoxylated in HIV in vitro diagnostic assays, with comments due by 8 July 2026. This signals continued regulatory scrutiny of Nonylphenolethoxylates in IVD supply chains and gives manufacturers and downstream users a limited window to provide evidence or plan substitution and authorisation strategies.

15 May 2026, 13:25echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Competent Authorities Note on Endocrine-Disrupting Impurities in Biocidal Active Substances

In a joint note under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation, Member States’ competent authorities clarify that impurities with endocrine-disrupting properties are treated as part of the biocidal active substance and can in themselves trigger identification of the active substance as an endocrine disruptor. This interpretation removes any generic concentration threshold for endocrine-disrupting impurities, making impurity profiles and representative ED testing critical for active substance approval, substitution status, risk assessment, and long-term portfolio planning for biocidal products.

15 May 2026, 12:59circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

EU MSC-94 Agenda Flags Zinc Sulphide Dossier Evaluation and 13th Annex XIV Recommendation

ECHA’s Member State Committee will in June 2026 review a draft compliance-check decision for zinc sulphide and advance its opinion work on the 13th Annex XIV (REACH authorisation) recommendation. This signals heightened scrutiny for zinc sulphide registrants and shows that substances in the 13th Annex XIV package are entering a key committee-opinion phase ahead of any future binding authorisation deadlines.

15 May 2026, 12:50echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Presidency Proposes Amendments to Batteries Regulation on Producer Scope, QR Codes and SVHC Disclosure

The EU Council presidency has tabled a compromise text to amend the Batteries Regulation, widening the producer definition, aligning SVHC disclosure with REACH/CLP, and mandating QR‑coded battery passports and LMT battery removability from 18 February 2027. If agreed, these changes will clarify who is legally responsible for battery labelling and digital passports, expand data on SVHCs and critical raw materials, and increase design and information‑management demands for battery and equipment manufacturers and importers.

15 May 2026, 12:20data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Presidency Compromise on Amendments to Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation (EU) 2024/1244

The Council Presidency has tabled a compromise proposal to amend the EU Batteries Regulation and the Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation, tightening how SVHC content and recovered metals are labelled and reported while simplifying certain design and reporting requirements. If adopted, battery manufacturers and importers will need to support module-level removability and QR-code battery passports by 18 February 2027, while livestock and aquaculture operators could see reduced reporting obligations as authorities assume more of the environmental data-collection burden.

15 May 2026, 12:05data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

France ANSES Issues Expert Assessments on Lithium Endocrine Disruption and Exposure Risks

In April 2026, France’s ANSES published two expert assessments confirming lithium’s endocrine-disrupting and aquatic toxicity hazards and setting new chronic reference exposure values for human health. These findings signal likely tightening of French and EU controls on lithium use, requiring battery, chemicals and other manufacturers to integrate the new endpoints and reference values into regulatory risk assessments and prepare for potential SVHC identification and stricter exposure-data expectations.

15 May 2026, 09:30anses.frFrance