No REACH Revision for Now: Commission Shifts Focus to Enforcement

On 27 April 2026, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall addressed the European Parliament's Committee for Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) in a structured dialogue, outlining the Commission's current position on the future of REACH.

After extensive consultations with industry, civil society and Members of the European Parliament, the Commission concluded that opening a full revision of the REACH Regulation at this point in time would not be appropriate. Commissioner Roswall stated that at a moment when businesses and citizens need certainty and predictability, a major legislative recast would not be helpful.

This does not mean the status quo remains untouched. The Commission is actively exploring ways to simplify and modernise REACH through existing mechanisms, including comitology, without reopening the full legislative text. The focus will be on addressing overly complicated processes and the uneven playing field faced by industry, while maintaining protections against harmful substances including endocrine disruptors and PFAS.

On enforcement, the Commission announced concrete plans to strengthen action against non-EU compliant products and substances. This includes improved controls at EU borders and more effective market surveillance across Member States. Commissioner Roswall indicated that further details on both the simplification and enforcement initiatives would be shared in the coming months.

For companies operating under REACH, the practical takeaway is clear: the regulatory framework remains stable for now, but enforcement activity is set to increase. Businesses should ensure their substance registrations, restrictions compliance and supply chain documentation are in order.

Source: Commissioner Roswall's address at the ENVI Committee Structured Dialogue, Brussels, 27 April 2026