EU confirms no REACH re-opening as PFAS restriction advances

European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall has confirmed that the Commission does not intend to reopen REACH at this stage, signalling a clear shift away from a full legislative revision of the EU’s core chemicals framework.

Speaking to the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee on 27 April, Roswall said the Commission had “come to the conclusion not to open REACH at this point”, citing the need for regulatory certainty and predictability. A full revision, she indicated, would not be helpful in the current context.

Instead, the Commission will focus on targeted simplification and modernisation measures, alongside strengthened enforcement, including action on non-compliant products and substances. These changes are expected to be delivered through comitology and other implementing measures rather than through co-legislation.

The announcement brings to a close an extended period of uncertainty around the future of REACH, following repeated delays and growing political pressure to prioritise competitiveness and regulatory stability.

At the same time, Roswall reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to advancing the proposed EU restriction on PFAS. She indicated that a formal restriction proposal is expected by the end of this year, following the ongoing work of ECHA’s scientific committees.

Taken together, the message is one of consolidation rather than structural reform: no reopening of REACH, but continued regulatory pressure through targeted updates, enforcement, and substance-specific action.

Further information: Recording at https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/committee-on-environment-public-health-and-food-safety-extraordinary-meeting-envi-extraordinary-comm_20260427-1900-COMMITTEE-ENVI