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EU Introduces Chemicals Simplification Omnibus

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on companies and cut red tape, on July 8, 2025, the European Commission published its latest “simplification omnibus” proposal on chemicals legislation. The so-called chemicals simplification omnibus aims to streamline and simplify certain requirements and procedures for chemical products sold in the EU. According to the European Commission, the simplification measures to be undertaken with this chemicals omnibus are expected to result in annual savings of at least €363 million for industry once finalized. 

Key Changes and Simplifications 

The chemicals simplification omnibus focuses on three main areas: cosmetics, fertilizers, and the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals. This omnibus introduces targeted amendments to simplify and streamline requirements for three separate EU regulations: the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation; the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR); and the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation.

Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation implements the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and sets out how companies should classify, label, and package hazardous substances they place on the EU market. Changes proposed in the omnibus seek to simplify labeling and advertising rules that were recently incorporated in the CLP Regulation (Regulation 2024/2865). The omnibus proposes to introduce more flexibility in label formatting requirements – such as font sizes and line spacing – and removes the fixed deadline for updating labels, thereby giving companies more flexibility. Regarding rules on advertising and distance sales, the omnibus proposal suggests narrowing down their scope to products sold to the general public and simplifying the information requirements for advertisements. Other amendments to the CLP Regulation include allowing a broader use of digital labeling, with more information permitted to be provided exclusively on the digital label.

Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR)

Proposed changes to the Cosmetic Products Regulation aim to clarify requirements and procedures, as well as to reduce unnecessary and duplicative reporting obligations. Regarding bans on so-called carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR) substances, the omnibus proposal introduces specific timelines for derogation requests and transitional periods to ease industry’s adjustment to restrictions. The omnibus also proposes streamlining the derogation criteria for such bans. Additionally, the omnibus seeks to clarify the regulatory approach to natural complex substances (e.g., essential oils). Other proposed changes to the Cosmetic Products Regulation include the removal of the prenotification obligation for cosmetic products containing nanomaterials.

Fertilizing Products Regulation

With the omnibus proposal, the European Commission suggests simplifying the registration of substances used in EU fertilizing products by removing so-called extended registration requirements. Therefore, the omnibus proposal amends the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation by further aligning it with the standard regime under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. Additionally, the omnibus proposes to streamline the assessment process for micro-organisms used in microbial plant bio-stimulants and to further digitalize information and reporting obligations under the regulation. 

Next Steps 

In line with the EU legislative process, the chemicals simplification omnibus proposal will be assessed, negotiated, and agreed upon by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before it can become law. As far as the CLP Regulation is concerned, the omnibus is accompanied by a separate proposal postponing the application of certain requirements that were introduced by the recent revision of the Regulation (Regulation 2024/2865).    

Broader context: Chemical Sector in Europe

This simplification omnibus proposal on chemicals is part of a broader package comprising a European Chemicals Industry Action Plan. The Action Plan sets out concrete measures that the European Commission intends to take to support the competitiveness and clean transition of the EU chemical sector. These measures include the long-awaited targeted revision of the REACH Regulation, the cornerstone of the EU’s chemicals regulatory framework. The European Commission is expected to present the REACH revision proposal in Q4 2025. 

Useful links 

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Jim Curtis, Commercial Officer and Standards Attaché: Jim.Curtis@trade.gov 
Eva D’Agostino, Commercial Specialist: Eva.D’Agostino@trade.gov