Council and Parliament Agree on a Stronger Legal Framework for the European Chemicals Agency

On 30 June 2026, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a new standalone regulation for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The deal gives ECHA its own legal basis, independent from the 2006 REACH regulation under which the agency was originally established, and consolidates its significantly expanded mandate into a single, unified framework.

Since its creation, ECHA has grown well beyond its original REACH remit. Its scientific committees now cover product safety, environmental policy and emerging substance risks, including microplastics and PFAS. The new regulation formally recognises this expanded role and provides a clear legal basis for all tasks assigned to ECHA under different EU laws. Both the European Parliament and Member States will now be able to request scientific opinions from ECHA directly, following consultation with the Commission.

On governance, the agreement adapts ECHA's structure to better manage its current and future workload. Member states will nominate experts to ECHA's risk assessment and socio-economic analysis committees, ensuring the agency retains the scientific expertise it needs to operate at the highest standard.

The financial structure has also been streamlined. Three separate budgets will be merged into one, giving ECHA greater flexibility to allocate resources as workloads shift. A reserve fund capped at 8% of ECHA's fees and charges will be established to manage fluctuations in fee revenues. The Commission will have the ability to adjust that cap anywhere between 1% and 20% based on actual financial needs.

Credibility and independence are addressed directly in the agreement. Clear rules on conflicts of interest will apply to ECHA staff, experts and members of its internal bodies, reflecting the co-legislators' view that trust in ECHA's scientific opinions is fundamental to the agency functioning effectively.

The provisional agreement now goes to both institutions for formal adoption. The new regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Source: Council of the EU Press Release, 30 June 2026