Chemicals: MEPs want targeted simplification and a stronger EU chemicals agency  

With 540 votes in favour, 60 against and 45 abstentions, Parliament has adopted its position on the ‘Omnibus VI’ package proposed by the Commission to simplify provisions relating to the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics products, and fertilising products.

Classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals

MEPs agree with most of the changes proposed by the Commission but are against deleting all requirements for the text that should be on a product label, insisting that it must be legible for consumers. They also want to reintroduce the requirement to have a telephone number for the supplier included on the label. Furthermore, MEPs want the Commission to carry out an assessment of whether additional specific reductions of mandatory label elements should apply to packages of between 10ml and 125 ml.

Members also want to add a requirement to include a warning, such as one or more hazard pictogram(s), in any public advertisement for a substance or mixture classified as hazardous.

On 23 October 2025, Parliament postponed application of most parts of the revised regulation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals to 1 January 2028.

Cosmetic products

Compared with the Commission’s proposal for amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, MEPs generally want to reduce the time cosmetics with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances may continue to be sold. MEPs are also against the Commission’s proposal to exempt CMR substances on the basis of oral or inhalation exposure.

MEPs also want to reintroduce the requirement for cosmetic products containing nanomaterials to be notified to the Commission prior to being placed on the market, and not six months prior as today.

They also want to specify that cosmetics sold without face-to-face contact with the customer (e.g. online) must clearly and visibly indicate all required consumer information such as durability and a list of ingredients.

Fertilisers

MEPs underline the need for changes to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation ((EU) 2019/1009) to simplify rules for EU fertiliser producers and support EU farmers.

Overall, Parliament wants to ensure rules are proportionate, enhance regulatory clarity and support innovation and competitiveness in the EU fertilising products sector, without compromising the protection of human health and the environment.

MEPs support a "digital-by-default" approach to make information more readily available, and want to update technical rules to include new materials and methods.

A stronger European Chemicals Agency

In a separate vote, Parliament also adopted its position on the regulation on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), by 526 votes to 56, and with 69 abstentions, to give it the resources, flexibility, and structural adaptations it needs to fulfil its duties under its growing mandate, while reaffirming its primary mission of protecting health and the environment.

This regulation improves the management of chemicals enabling better protection of citizens and ecosystems through faster and more comprehensive risk assessments, while ensuring greater predictability for industry by means of clearer procedures and shorter timelines.

Parliament wants a mandatory annual assessment to make sure ECHA has enough resources to perform its tasks. It is also proposing amendments to help member states ensure chemical safety and contribute to ECHA’s work.

Quotes

Environment, Climate and Food Safety Committee rapporteur Dimitris Tsiodras (EPP, Greece) said: “Europe can deliver simpler, smarter and more effective regulation without compromising safety. Human health is non-negotiable. This compromise ensures a science-based approach, legal clarity and realistic timelines, fully protecting consumers while strengthening innovation, jobs and European competitiveness.”

Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee rapporteur Piotr Müller (ECR, Poland) said: “This is a big step in the right direction. The most important achievement is that we are introducing real simplification for European business and innovation. And we're doing this while maintaining high safety standards. I hope the more far-reaching solutions we have proposed will be included in the next review.”

The rapporteur for the revision of the ECHA Regulation, Christophe Clergeau (S&D, France), added: “Today's vote marks a decisive step towards a stronger and more coherent EU chemicals policy. By reinforcing the ECHA, we are not acting in isolation, we are strengthening a key piece of a larger puzzle to improve chemicals management across Europe. This is about protecting citizens' health and the environment more effectively, while giving industry the predictability it needs.”

Next steps

Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with EU member states on these files.

Background

The “chemicals omnibus” is part of a wider effort to simplify EU laws and cut administrative burdens, helping businesses innovate and grow in line with the Draghi report on EU competitiveness.

The chemicals industry consists of 29,000 companies providing 1.2 million direct jobs and supporting 19 million more jobs across supply chains. According to the Commission, the proposed measures to reduce compliance costs and ease the administrative burden should save the industry at least €363 million a year.