EU Council and Parliament Strike Deal to Strengthen ECHA
Council and European Parliament agree to strengthen the European Chemicals Agency.
Why it matters: The expanded role and independence of ECHA will affect chemical compliance and regulation across the EU, crucial for multinational corporations and legal teams tracking evolving regulatory frameworks.
- Agreement reached on June 30, 2026, establishing a standalone legal framework for ECHA, distinct from the 2006 REACH regulation.
- ECHA's responsibilities expand to cover product safety, environmental policies, and scientific opinions on complex substances like microplastics and PFAS.
- European Parliament or member states can request scientific opinions from ECHA after European Commission consultation.
- New structure and reserve fund capped at 8% of fees support ECHA's increased workload and financial stability.
On June 30, 2026, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement to reinforce the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This agreement creates a standalone legal framework for ECHA, separating it from the 2006 REACH regulation under which it was originally established.
The deal broadens ECHA's mandate beyond chemical registration and evaluation to include oversight of product safety and environmental policies. This includes the authority to provide scientific opinions on restrictions for substances like microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which pose emerging regulatory challenges.
Notably, the agreement permits the European Parliament or EU member states to formally request scientific opinions from ECHA, provided they consult the European Commission first. ECHA’s organizational structure will be revised to manage this expanded workload effectively, ensuring the agency has adequate resources and independence.
To mitigate funding volatility, a reserve fund capped at 8% of fees and charges will be created. The European Commission retains flexibility to adjust this cap between 1% and 20% as needed, enhancing ECHA's financial stability.
A key aspect of the agreement is the introduction of strict rules to prevent and manage conflicts of interest among ECHA’s staff and experts, aiming to preserve the agency’s scientific integrity and public trust.
Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, emphasized, "A strong and well-funded European Chemicals Agency is vital for safeguarding our future." European Parliament rapporteur Christophe Clergeau added, "With a strengthened ECHA, we are establishing the conditions [needed] to improve chemicals management within the existing legislative framework."
The EU’s largest chemicals database managed by ECHA contains information on nearly 500,000 chemicals, including registration data for over 25,000 substances under REACH. This expanded mandate and legal independence signal a notable shift in the EU’s approach to chemical regulation, with potential ripple effects for compliance and legal operations in multinational corporations.
By the numbers:
- 500,000+ chemicals in ECHA’s database — including data on 25,000+ REACH-registered substances
- 8% cap on the new reserve fund — adjustable by European Commission between 1% and 20%
What's next: The exact timeline for formal adoption and implementation of the new regulation is yet to be confirmed by the EU institutions.