The European Commission’s internal review board has rejected the current impact assessment in late September 2025 for the planned revision of the EU’s REACH Regulation — the main law governing the use of chemicals in Europe. As a result, the Commission will now go back to the drawing board to strengthen its analysis before any new legislative proposal can move forward.
The decision means that the long-awaited update of REACH will be further delayed. The reform aims to make chemical rules simpler and more protective, while ensuring that Europe’s industry remains competitive.
Commissioner Jessika Roswall confirmed that the goal remains to deliver a balanced and evidence-based proposal – one that protects health and the environment without overburdening businesses.
Several Member States, including Sweden, are urging the Commission to finalise the work as soon as possible, but there is no new date yet for publication.
Among the most contested elements of the reform are proposals to:
-
move from a risk-based to a more hazard-based system,
-
introduce an “essential use” concept for certain substances,
-
tighten rules on authorisation, restriction and data requirements.
Industry groups warn that these steps could increase compliance costs and uncertainty if not carefully balanced. Overall, the Commission faces a delicate task: to simplify procedures without weakening protection. Roswall underlined that “simplification does not mean deregulation,” and that the revised REACH must remain scientifically sound, transparent and proportionate.
For the tackle trade, the upcoming REACH decisions could have direct implications, for example:
-
through restrictions on substances used in weights, coatings, plastics, paints or packaging.
-
the restrictions and pending ban on lead are already in progress and are being closely followed by EFTTA.
-
further regulatory changes could require material substitutions, new labelling or additional testing and documentation.
EFTTA will continue to follow this process closely and keep members informed as the reform develops.
More:
=>Quality analysis of European Commission impact assessments
=>Revision of the REACH Regulation
