Chemicals Strategy

Overview

Chemicals are essential for the well-being, high living standards and comfort of modern society. They are used in various sectors, including healthcare, energy, transportation, and housing.

However, most chemicals have hazardous properties which can harm the environment and human health.

The EU already has sophisticated chemical laws in place, but global chemicals production is expected to double by 2030. The already widespread use of chemicals is also expected to increase, including in consumer products.

The Commission published a Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability on 14 October 2020. It is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition, which is a key commitment of the European Green Deal.

Chemical bubbles — © Alexander Bashkirzew | Getty Images

Objectives

The EU’s chemicals strategy aims to:

Better protect citizens and the environment
Boost innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals

Actions

Banning the most harmful chemicals in consumer products - allowing their use only where essential
Phasing out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU, unless their use is essential
Boosting the investment and innovative capacity for production and use of chemicals that are safe and sustainable by design, and throughout their life cycle
Promoting the EU’s resilience of supply and sustainability of critical chemicals
Establishing a simpler “one substance one assessment” process for the risk and hazard assessment of chemicals

See our chemicals and circular economy pages for related policies.

Implementation

Learn more about the implementation of the strategy.

Timeline

Previous and upcoming actions

1 January 2026
'One substance, one assessment’ legislative package enters into force
Find out more
22 April 2024
Commission proposes criteria to define the essential use of most harmful chemicals
Communication can be found here.
7 December 2023
Commission proposes ‘one substance, one assessment' chemicals assessment reform for faster, simplified and transparent processes
Find out more
14 July 2023
Proposal to ban all remaining intentional uses of mercury in the EU
Proposal, Delegated act and News
19 December 2022
Commission proposes revised Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP) and introduces new hazard classes
Find out more
8 December 2022
Recommendation on framework for safe and sustainable by design chemicals
Find out more
10 June 2022
Commission clarifies definition on nanomaterials
Find out more
25 April 2022
Commission publishes REACH Restrictions Roadmap
Find out more
20 January 2022
Commission launches public consultation on REACH revision - available in all EU languages
Find out more
9 August 2021
Commission launches public consultation on revision of Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP)
Find out more
14 October 2020
Publication of Chemicals Strategy
9 May 2020
Publication of Chemicals Strategy roadmap
For more information on the roadmap and feedback, visit here.
11 December 2019
Publication of European Green Deal