Chemicals and hazardous substances

Key developments

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EU environment tracker 2025—chemicals and hazardous substances—this tracker tool covers key new and upcoming EU legislation and consultations linked to the regulation of chemicals and hazardous substances, including pesticides, biocides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and PFAS. It also summarises the main strategies, roadmaps and policy measures linked to and driving these changes. Key tracked initiatives include revisions to EU REACH, announced as part of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. To review developments from 2024, see Practice Note EU environment tracker 2024—chemicals and hazardous substances [Archived]

Chemicals

This subtopic includes the following content relevant to the regulation of chemicals at EU level:

EU REACH

Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (EU REACH) requires manufacturers and importers of chemicals to evaluate the risks resulting from the use of those chemicals and to take the necessary steps to manage any identified risk. The aim of REACH is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier assessment of hazards of chemical

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Latest EU Law News

Commission opens consultations on EU CBAM implementing rules

The European Commission has launched three linked public consultations on implementing rules supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/956 (the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM) Regulation).

DG CLIMA publishes reports on EU carbon removal purchasing programme

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) has published three reports examining the design of an EU-wide purchasing programme for permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR). This initiative aims to overcome the current lack of demand, which is hindering large-scale adoption. The first report recommends that the programme should not only purchase removal credits but also strategically invest in diverse types of credits to stimulate market growth and technological innovation. It proposes a blend of funding sources including EU budget allocations, Member State contributions and private investment and suggests aligning with existing schemes like the Innovation Fund to enhance efficiency and appeal.

EU Law weekly highlights—28 August 2025

This week's edition of EU Law weekly highlights includes analyses before the Court of Justice on the fundamental requirements of protection for EU designs underscored by Advocate General Emiliou, businesses in Britain to take stock of their trade mark portfolios to ensure they do not lose EU-wide protection, the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs published a draft report recommending that the Commission initiate the legislative process for an EU Directive on algorithmic management in the workplace and a Belgian court ruling on key mechanism used to preserve privacy in relation to targeted online advertising. In addition this week, the European Commission launched a call for evidence seeking feedback on ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives, launched a call for evidence as part of its mandatory review of the EU Digital Markets Act, published an updated competition policy timeline, launched a call for evidence on the revision of rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines and the European Chemicals Agency published an update confirming that its scientific committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis aim to deliver final opinions on the proposed restriction of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

European Commission launches dual consultations on energy transition strategies

The European Commission has launched consultations and calls for evidence on two major initiatives: the EU Electrification Action Plan and the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy. These initiatives, introduced under the Clean Industrial Deal and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy, aim to enhance energy affordability, competitiveness, and security while supporting the EU’s climate objectives. The Electrification Action Plan seeks to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption, which currently stands below 25%, by addressing barriers and identifying policy measures to promote cost-effective and system-friendly electrification. The consultation focuses on electrification in transport, industry, and buildings.