Simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products that enter the EU market has been supported by most MEPs from the relevant Parliament’s committees. The move, which will be put to a final vote in March, is in line with the EU’s efforts to to cut bureaucratic red tape for European companies. However, some MEPs have warned that the changes must not result in lower consumers’ protection.
Joint meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), held on Thursday, was full of lengthy presentations often packed by rather technical expressions. The real impact of the proposed changes, however, will be significant, as it concerns labelling of tens of thousands of chemical industry products. Many of them—such as cosmetics—are used on everyday basis.
Balance between interests
In 2025, Commission has laid down a proposal to simplify certain requirements and procedures for chemical products. That proposal is intended to better balance, on the one hand, the need for label information to be clearly understood by consumers and, on the other hand, the need to reduce market barriers and administrative burden for industry. It also seeks to loosen obligations for advertisements of hazardous substances and mixtures by reducing the amount of information to be provided.
The Regulation 2024/2865 introduced specific provisions for the labelling of certain substances. However, some requirements, including the requirement to indicate the supplier, the nominal quantity, and the unique formula identifier, appeared to be impractical and costly for undertakings, without bringing benefits to the protection of human health and the environment.
Greater flexibility welcomed, but…
The vast majority of MEPs spoke in favor of simplifying the rules and also for the use of modern technologies such as digital labelling. “Greater flexibility as regards labelling is essential,” stated MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP/ITA).
It is a very complex issue, we must be careful to maintain the protection of consumers. – MEP Idoia Mendía (S&D/ESP)
However, the chorus was not entirely unanimous. Several concerns were raised pointing out that simpler rules could pose risks to consumers, particularly with regard to the labelling of products containing potentially hazardous substances. That may be the case of cosmetics as an example. Some MEPs also urged that a proper control of labelling on imported goods must be maintained.
“We need simplification, not deregulation (…) It is a very complex issue, we must be careful to maintain the protection of consumers”, warned MEP Idoia Mendía (S&D/ESP)
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The deadline for amendments is 3 February. The final vote on the file is expected to take place on 17 March.
