EU Biocides ‘Omnibus X’ – Data Protection Extensions
4 March 2026
Member states’ representatives approved the Council’s position on the Commission’s proposal to extend certain data protection periods for biocidal products, forming part of the EU’s ‘Omnibus X’ simplification legislative package. Due to delays in the review programme for existing active substances, data protection that expired on 31 December 2025 is proposed to be extended until 31 December 2030. This aims to ensure fair compensation for data owners and regulatory fairness pending a full evaluation of the Biocidal Products Regulation in 2026-2027. Following the Council’s mandate, the presidency will begin negotiations with the European Parliament.
Read more: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/03/04/council-agrees-position-to-streamline-rules-on-biocides/
Ekotox Webpages: https://ekotox.eu/biocides/
SVHCs Classification Transfer to CLP Annex VI
23 March 2026
ECHA published an overview of substances identified as SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) that will be automatically transferred to CLP Annex VI due to their endocrine-disrupting (ED), PBT, or vPvB properties. The list includes 49 proposed new entries and 58 entries proposed for revision in Annex VI, covering substances from the REACH Candidate List, biocide active substances, and plant protection product regulations.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/the-list-of-substances-identified-as-svhcs-to-be-automatically-transfered-to-clp-annex-vi-for-ed-pbt-vpvb-properties/
New PPWR Guidelines Published
2 April 2026
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission released long-awaited guidelines on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), together with a comprehensive FAQ document. The guidelines clarify key concepts including what constitutes packaging, producer/manufacturer/importer definitions, recyclability and reuse requirements, and the PFAS ban for food-contact packaging (which applies without a transitional period). The PPWR requirements take effect from 12 August 2026. The Commission stressed that the guidelines are interpretive in nature and announced regular updates.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/new-ppwr-guidelines/
CoRAP Publication for 2026-2028
13 April 2026
ECHA published the updated Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for 2026-2028, identifying 27 chemical substances for evaluation under the REACH substance evaluation procedure. Seventeen substances will be assessed in 2026, nine in 2027, and one in 2028. The CoRAP evaluation aims to gather information on substances suspected of posing risks to human health or the environment and often serves as the first step towards further regulatory action such as harmonised classification, use restrictions, or SVHC Candidate List inclusion.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/corap-publication-for-2026-2028/
Microplastics (SPM) Reporting Obligation by 31 May 2026
6 May 2026
Chemical companies covered by Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 must submit their first annual report on synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM) emissions for 2025 by 31 May 2026. The obligation currently applies to producers and downstream users of industrial synthetic polymer microparticles used as feedstock in plastics manufacturing. From 2027 the scope extends to other producers, downstream users, and suppliers of products containing SPM. Reports are submitted via IUCLID and REACH-IT and must include a description of SPM uses, polymer identification, estimated environmental releases, and applicable exemptions.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/microplastics-spm-reporting-obligation-by-may-31-2026/
IUCLID 6 Major Release (v10.0.0) Including Format Updates
8 May 2026
ECHA released a major new version of IUCLID (v10.0.0) on 27 April 2026. The update introduces significant format changes relevant to all IUCLID users, including updates to OECD Harmonised Templates and EU test guidelines. Stakeholder-specific changes include updated REACH microplastic reporting formats, BPR dossier header and use document updates, DWD notification format updates, a new EU Toy Safety Regulation working context for derogation requests, and EFSA updates covering plant protection products, food contact materials, and new documents for microorganism characterisation and antimicrobial substances in food contact materials.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/iuclid-6-major-release-v10-0-0-including-format-updates/
Restriction of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene in Articles – Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/859
8 May 2026
On 21 April 2026, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2026/859, amending Annex XVII to REACH to introduce new restrictions on 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) – a Category 1B carcinogen – in articles. From 10 May 2027, articles for professional users or the general public containing 2,4-DNT at concentrations of 0.1% or more by weight may not be placed on the market or used. Exemptions apply to explosives, military articles, police/security ammunition, toys, medical devices, and food-contact articles.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/restriction-of-24-dinitrotoluene-in-articles-commission-regulation-eu-2026-859/
New Regulation on Cosmetic Ingredients
8 May 2026
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/909 of 27 April 2026 amends Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation), introducing changes to the permitted use of several ingredients including Benzyl Salicylate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ammonium Silver Zinc Aluminium Silicate, Aluminium, water-soluble zinc salts, Acetylated Vetiver Oil, Citral, HC Blue No 18, HC Red No 18, HC Yellow No 16, Hydroxypropyl-p-phenylenediamine HCl, and DHHB. The regulation entered into force on 18 May 2026, with a transitional period until 1 January 2027 for placing products on the market, and until 1 July 2028 for making products available on the market.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/new-regulation-on-cosmetic-ingredients/
Potential Coverage of Cosmetics by EUDR Requirements
8 May 2026
The European Commission announced a simplification package for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and published a draft delegated act that – alongside simplification measures – proposes to extend the EUDR’s scope to new product categories, including cosmetics such as soaps containing palm oil. A four-week public consultation is currently underway. The cosmetics industry is expected to strongly oppose the extension. Companies marketing cosmetic products should closely monitor the proposal’s status, as inclusion would impose significant additional due diligence obligations.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/potential-coverage-of-cosmetics-by-eudr-requirements/
EUDR Simplification Review
8 May 2026
On 4 May 2026, the Commission published its simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) alongside a package of further implementation measures. The package includes updated guidance and FAQs, a draft delegated act refining the product scope (adding soluble coffee, certain palm oil derivatives, and soap; excluding leather, samples, and retreaded tyres), and improvements to the EUDR Information System including simplified declarations and voluntary grouping of due diligence statement reference numbers. The Commission estimates the simplification measures will reduce annual compliance costs by approximately 75% compared to initial estimates. Application of the regulation is expected by end of 2026.
Read more: https://ekotox.eu/news/eudr-simplifation-review/
CLP Regulation Requirements for Multiconstituent Substances (MOCS)
11 May 2026
Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, amending the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, introduces new classification rules for multiconstituent substances (MOCS) applicable from 1 July 2026. Under the new rules, UVCBs (substances of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products or biological materials), multi-constituent substances, and mono-constituent substances with classification-relevant impurities or additives must be classified using the same calculation methods as mixtures. This applies to the hazard classes of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity (CMR), chronic aquatic toxicity, endocrine disruption (human health and environmental), PBT/vPvB, and PMT/vPvM. All available data on individual constituents must be taken into account.
Read more: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402865
Chemical Management & EU Chemicals Legislation & Products Safety
– REACH Conference 2026
September 30 – October 1, 2026
Poland – Katowice-Chorzów
REACH Conference 2026: https://trainingeu.eu/
