🧪 Will the European Commission Announce Its Chemicals Industry Action Plan on 2 July?
According to the European Commission’s official agenda, on 2 July 2025, the Commission is expected to publish its long-awaited action plan for the chemicals industry. This initiative, first announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is a response to the growing challenges faced by the sector: weak demand, declining competitiveness, and increasingly complex and costly regulations.
🎯 What Can We Expect?
Although the details of the plan have not yet been disclosed, it is already known that:
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The plan will be part of a broader legislative package for the chemicals sector, including:
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simplifications of the CLP and Cosmetics Regulations (the so-called chemicals omnibus), more on this topic in this article: LINK
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proposed amendments to the REACH Regulation aimed at simplification,
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clarifications on PFAS-related legislation.
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🧭 Timeline: What and When?
📌 On 21 May, the Commission confirmed that the “chemicals omnibus” package (CLP, cosmetics) will be published after June – likely alongside the action plan on 2 July.
📌 A separate legislative package, including REACH, is being processed in parallel – although the timeline here remains less clear.
📌 Public consultation on the REACH revision will run until the end of December 2025, raising questions as to whether a final version of the amendment will be ready this year.
⚖️ Von der Leyen: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Must Go Hand in Hand
During a May meeting with industry representatives, Commission President von der Leyen emphasized that support for the chemicals sector must balance business needs with consumer interests. This means that legislative simplifications will likely represent a compromise between industry expectations and health and environmental protection requirements.
🧾 What Does This Mean in Practice?
🔹 There is a good chance that on 2 July, we will learn the EU’s strategic direction for the chemicals sector – including planned changes to obligations under CLP, cosmetics, and (in the future) REACH.
🔹 Companies should closely monitor the progress of simplification measures and be ready to adapt dynamically, especially in the areas of:
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labelling of hazardous products (CLP),
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REACH documentation (e.g. new registration requirements or PFAS-related obligations),
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compliance strategy and regulatory cost management.
🔹 The lack of clarity regarding the REACH revision means that companies must remain flexible and monitor consultation developments at least until the end of the year.
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