Chemicals | Monthly bulletin | May 2026

Europe

New REACH restrictions on 2,4 Dinitrotoluene

On 21^st of April 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/859, amending Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation, to restrict 2,4‑dinitrotoluene (2,4‑DNT) in articles placed on the EU market.

2,4‑DNT is classified as a Category 1B carcinogen and listed as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). While EU manufacturing has already phased out its use, the Commission identified a continued risk arising from articles manufactured outside the EU, as REACH authorisation requirements do not apply to imported articles.

Articles may not contain 2,4‑DNT at concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1 % by weight after 10 May 2027. This applies to articles for both professional users and the general public.

Products most likely to be affected include rubber and elastomer articles, polyurethane foam products, and goods manufactured using recycled materials where legacy contamination may occur.

Regulation EU 2026/859 is directly applicable in all Member States without the need for it to be transposed at national level. Economic operators are expected to review their supply chains and take appropriate measures to ensure compliance.

The measure reflects the EU’s continued commitment to protecting consumer health and ensuring a high level of chemical safety across the internal market.

Public consultation on draft SEAC opinion for PFAS restriction 

On 23^rd of March 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio‑Economic Analysis (SEAC) regarding the proposed EU‑wide restriction of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The consultation will run until 25 May 2026. The consultation aims to collect evidence-based input on the socio‑economic impacts of restricting PFAS across the EU. Stakeholders are invited to provide detailed information on:

• The costs and benefits of restriction
• The availability and feasibility of alternatives
• Sector-specific impacts on industry and society

Importantly, this consultation focuses exclusively on socio‑economic aspects, as environmental and health risks have already been assessed by ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC).

Following the consultation, SEAC will review stakeholder input and may revise its conclusions. The Committee is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026. After that, ECHA will submit both RAC and SEAC opinions to the European Commission and then, the Commission will then prepare a final restriction proposal, to be discussed and voted by Member States under REACH.

For more information, consult the ECHA website here.

CoRAP 2026-2028 update flags 27 substances for REACH evaluation 

On 24^th of March 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released its latest Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) update for 2026-2028, identifying 27 substances for evaluation under the REACH Regulation. The update signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of chemicals suspected to pose risks to human health or the environment.

The updated CoRAP sets out a three‑year evaluation roadmap for substances prioritised by EU Member States.

• 17 substances scheduled for evaluation in 2026
• 9 substances in 2027
• 1 substance in 2028

Among these:

• 8 substances newly added to the plan
• 20 substances carried over from the previous CoRAP (2025–2027)
• 3 evaluations have been postponed to allow additional data generation
• 1 substance has been withdrawn due to sufficient available data.

The evaluations will be conducted by competent authorities from eight EU Member States, as part of the REACH substance evaluation process.

For more information, consult the ECHA website here.

Recent publications on REACH Regulation 

The following table provides a non-exhaustive summary of some recent updates regarding REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:

Interesting resources on REACH Regulation on the ECHA’s website 

• Registry of restriction intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Registry of SVHC intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Substance evaluation - CoRAP - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Adopted opinions and previous consultations on applications for authorisation - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Applications for authorisation - current consultations - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Current calls for comments and evidence - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Authorisation List - ECHA (europa.eu)
• ECHA's completed activities on restriction
• Submitted restrictions under consideration
• Assessment of regulatory needs list

Recent publications on CLP Regulation

The following table provides a non-exhaustive summary of some recent updates regarding CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008:

Interesting resources on the CLP Regulation on the ECHA’s website

• Registry of CLH intentions until outcome - ECHA (europa.eu)
• Harmonised classification and labelling consultations - ECHA (europa.eu)

UK

UK launches consultation on revised POPs regulations

On 18^th of March 2026, the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to its Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, signalling significant upcoming changes to chemical control rules in Great Britain. The initiative aims to align UK legislation with international obligations (the Stockholm Convention) while tightening controls on hazardous chemicals. The consultation centres around the proposal to add five new substances to Annex I, meaning they would be prohibited from manufacture, use, and placing on the market in Great Britain. The five substances are:

• Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) – used as plasticisers, flame retardants, and in metalworking fluids
• Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) – part of the PFAS family, used in coatings, electronics, and firefighting foams
• UV 328 – a UV stabiliser widely used in plastics and coatings
• Dechlorane Plus (DP) – a chlorinated flame retardant used in electronics and cables
• Chlorpyrifos – a pesticide that has already been phased out in the UK but would now be formally prohibited under POPs law

These substances are associated with high persistence, long-range environmental transport, and potential toxicity, making them key priorities for elimination.

The consultation is open until 13 May 2026, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to influence the final regulatory approach.

For more information, consult the DEFRA website here.

International

World trade notifications related to chemicals

The table below summarises recent World Trade notifications related to chemicals:

Sweden

Swedish PFAS action plan in development

On 17 April 2026, the Sweden Ministry of Climate and Enterprise unveiled its national action plan against PFAS contamination.

The Swedish Government has announced plans to develop a national action plan to address issues connected to per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), highlighting growing concern about the widespread presence of these “forever chemicals” in the environment and their impact on human health.

The proposed action plan will be drafted over the coming months. It aims to:

• Reduce the spread of PFAS into waterways and natural environments
• Address both current contamination and future emissions
• Strengthen Sweden’s overall strategy for managing hazardous chemicals

The initiative forms part of a broader national and European effort to tackle PFAS, reflecting increasing regulatory pressure across the EU and internationally.

For more information, consult the website for the Government Office of Sweden here.