EU launches public consultation on revision of the REACH chemicals regime

On 20 January 2022, the EU Commission launched a public consultation on options for revision of the EU REACH chemicals regulation.

The revision was promised in its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability initiative originally published on 14 October 2020. The objectives of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability are to better protect European citizens and the environment against hazardous chemicals and encourage innovation for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives. To this end the Strategy outlined a number of actions intended to increase the knowledge base and control of chemicals.

The potentially very far-reaching changes under consideration include:

• Revision of the registration requirements for manufacturers and importers will be analysed, including increased information on hazards of concern, documentation of safe use, registration of certain polymers, and information on the environmental footprint.
• Introduction of a Mixtures Assessment Factor (MAF): for addressing the risks of exposure to several different substances (combination effects) by introducing one of more MAFs.
• Simplifying communication in the supply chains: including an assessment of options for improving safety data sheets, in particular harmonised electronic formats.
• Revision of the provisions for dossier and substance evaluation to speed up the process generally;
• Reforming the authorisation process:
• Reforming the restriction process: including the possibility of extending the generic risk approach to restrictions to endocrine disruptors, PBT/vPvB substances, immunotoxicants, neurotoxicants, respiratory sensitisers and substances that affect specific organs; extending the generic risk approach to products marketed for professional use; and operationalising the concept of essential use in restrictions.
• Enhancement of provisions for control and enforcement.

The public consultation, in the form of a high-level questionnaire, will remain open until 15 April 2022.