Chemicals: simplification of cosmetics, fertiliser and labelling rules
On Thursday, MEPs are set to approve changes to EU chemicals legislation that should increase flexibility while ensuring protection for human health and the environment.
The changes, already provisionally agreed with Council and to be updated on Thursday morning, update provisions relating to cosmetics products, the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals (CLP), and fertilising products. The deal ensures legible labelling for consumers, and faster market withdrawal of cosmetics with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances than the Commission originally proposed
Background
The “chemicals omnibus” is part of wider efforts to simplify EU laws and ease administrative burdens, helping businesses innovate and grow, in line with the Draghi report on EU competitiveness.
The EU chemicals industry consists of 29,000 companies, providing 1.2 million direct jobs and supporting 19 million people 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. In July 2025, the Commission also presented a European chemicals industry action plan.
Procedure code: 2025/0531(COD)
Debate and vote: Thursday 22 October 2026
Procedure: ordinary legislative procedure, first reading agreement