On December 3, 2025, the European Parliament and Council formally adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/2439, amending the chemical labeling regulations passed in 2024.

To support the future implementation of the ESPR, this report outlines methods for defining and tracking Substances of Concern (SoC) in products and throughout their lifecycle.

The first report must be submitted by May 31, 2026, and must contain estimated emission data for the year 2025.

On November 21, 2025, the Official Journal of the European Union published three Commission Delegated Directives, introducing centralized revisions to multiple lead-related exemptions under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS 2) Directive (2011/65/EU). These amendments focus on lead applications in alloys, glass/ceramics, and high melting temperature solders.

On November 25, 2025, ECHA announced the launch of a public consultation to solicit information regarding candidates for substitution (CfS) and derogation conditions for two active substances.

On November 21, 2025, the European Commission released three draft proposals to upgrade and integrate three categories of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)—chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs)—into Part A of Annex I to the EU POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The move aims to comprehensively prohibit their production, circulation, and use within the EU, with only minimal transitional exemptions granted to a very limited number of industries.

On November 18, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its 12th recommendation for authorization, proposing for the first time to include four Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), including melamine, into the REACH Authorisation List. If adopted by the European Commission, companies will need to submit applications and pass reviews to continue using these substances in the future.

On November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published mapping of PFAS uses, serving as an industry support document for the upcoming public consultation on PFAS restrictions. The mapping systematically outlines PFAS applications across 14 major industrial, professional, and consumer sectors, including battery manufacturing, textiles, electronics, and PFAS production.

November 5, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially announced the 35th batch of 1 substance of very concern, bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 251. Earlier in October, the Member State Committee (MSC) unanimously agreed during its October meeting to classify this substance as a SVHC.

On October 20, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 14 new substance testing proposals and invited public comments by December 4. ECHA’s public consultation on testing proposals is part of an open evaluation process to determine whether additional testing is required for registered chemicals.