European Commission

Regulation:ECHA

CLH classifications: Intention for Climbazole, proposal for Benzylhemiformal

On 1 April 2026, ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) announced that two preservatives used in cosmetics were the subject of an intention for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) (for Climbazole) and a classification proposal (for Benzylhemiformal).

Restrictions on PFAS in Europe: moving towards a ban with no exemptions for cosmetics

The lengthy process of restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe is entering its final stages. The opinion of the RAC (Risk Assessment Committee) and the draft opinion of the SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) of ECHA have now been published, and the public consultation on the latter is open until 25 May 2026.

The CoRAP 2026–2028 published by ECHA

On 24 March 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the updated Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The list includes a total of 27 substances that will be assessed by the Member States under the REACH Regulation. Seven of these may be used in cosmetics.

PFAS, Octocrylene, Cannabidiol...: work and opinions of the ECHA RAC

On March 18, 2026, ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) provided an update on the latest meeting of its Scientific Committees. Topics of interest to the cosmetics industry included: progress on the proposed restrictions on PFAS and Octocrylene, and opinions on the harmonized classification and labeling of several substances, including Cannabidiol.

Consultation on the CLH classification of Hydrochloric Acid

On March 16, 202, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a consultation on Latvia’s proposal for harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) of Hydrochloric Acid, a buffering agent.

Monday, February 15, 2021

CLH proposals for Hexyl salicylate and Disperse Red 17

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has just launched two consultations on proposals for harmonised classification and labelling. One concerns Hexyl ...

Monday, December 14, 2020

ECHA's SEAC validates a broad ban on microplastics

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The Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) has adopted its opinion on the restriction proposal, which would ban microplastics in products such a...

Monday, December 14, 2020

CLH proposals: 2 cosmetic ingredients in consultation

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) just launched two consultations on proposals for harmonised classification and labelling. One concerns Triethylen...

Monday, November 30, 2020

What do EU citizens think about nanomaterials?

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A recent survey, commissioned by the EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON), measured and analysed how citizens in Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, France...

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Proposals for a harmonised classification for benzyl alcohol and silver

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On 19 October 2020, ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) opened a public consultation on two proposals for harmonised classification of Benzyl alcohol and...

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Microplastics: ECHA defends its position and claims to be working on the world’s broadest restriction

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In a press release published on its website on 1 September 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) defends its “scientific, independent and transpa...

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

CLH proposals: 6 "cosmetic" substances in consultation

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The ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) launched several consultations on proposals for harmonised classification and labelling. They involve a total of ...

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

REACH: Animal tests justified for exclusively cosmetic ingredients

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These are two decisions of the Board of Appeal of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that are likely to be at least partly misunderstood and even pr...

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

ECHA's consultation on the restriction of microplastics

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on the restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products and is seeking...

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Butylparaben added to the Candidate List

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has just added four new substances to the Candidate List, which identifies the substances that are candidates for...

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

ECHA: Member State Committee does not validate the classification of resorcinol as SVHC

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At its June meeting, the Member State Committee (MSC) did not unanimously support France’s proposal to identify resorcinol as an SVHC. However, the co...

Monday, June 15, 2020

ECHA: RAC backs restricting intentional uses of microplastics

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RAC has adopted its opinion on ECHA’s proposal to restrict the use of microplastics that are intentionally added to products on the EU/EEA market, in ...