The European beauty industry says the European Commission's EU Chemicals Action Plan will help support innovation in the industry and, in fact, raise safety standards rather than lower them.
On 8 July 2025, the European Commission presented its Action Plan for the European Chemicals Industry , a broad proposal aimed at increasing the competitiveness and modernisation of the sector by addressing “high energy costs, unfair global competition and weak demand, and stimulating investment in innovation and sustainability.”
The plan includes a package of simplification measures – the 6th Chemical Omnibus – which aims to streamline and simplify key EU legislation in the chemicals sector: the classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals, all EU regulations on cosmetics and the registration of fertilisers. According to the European Commission, these measures will save the industry at least €363 million per year.
Another proposal in the plan, the ECHA Basic Regulation , aims to improve the governance and financial stability of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by creating an independent legal framework.
The Action Plan will now undergo a co-decision procedure under the EU’s standard legislative procedure (OLP), with the European Parliament and the Council acting as co-legislators. This process typically takes between 12 and 18 months. Any finally agreed changes to the regulation could therefore be published and adopted within two years , from mid- to late 2026.
Impact on beauty
For EU cosmetics companies, which use significant quantities of chemicals to produce formulas and packaging, the proposals have serious implications.
In a joint press release , leading European beauty industry associations welcomed the Action Plan , calling it “a step in the right direction” and describing the Omnibus within the plan as “balanced”.
Cosmetics Europe, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), the European Federation of Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), the Natural and Organic Cosmetics International Association (NATRUE), the European Essential Oils Federation (EFEO), the International Federation of Essential Oils and Fragrance Trade (IFEAT) and SMEunited said: “We believe this offers a proportionate and science-based approach that maintains a strong focus on consumer safety.”
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) disagreed , arguing that the proposals could “significantly increase consumers' exposure to hazardous chemicals and increase health risks”. BEUC said the Action Plan was contrary to the interests of consumers and the Commission's wider commitment to maintaining high standards of protection.
“Targeted Changes”
The European Commission said the main goal was to “reduce burdens, increase transparency and support innovation without compromising security.”
For example, the Commission indicated that the Omnibus in the Action Plan includes a number of “targeted changes”, such as transition periods for adaptation and the promotion of digital documentation to simplify the rules on labelling of hazardous chemicals and align information requirements between the EU Cosmetics Regulation (CPR) and the REACH Regulation for chemicals.
For chemical labelling, changes are proposed to include more flexible and easy-to-read design options, more extensive digital labelling and simplification of advertising rules to reduce costs and complexity. For cosmetics, amendments aim to clarify procedural deadlines and introduce clear deadlines for exemptions from bans on substances, including those related to classified CMPs [1] . Guidelines for the use of natural complex substances have also been developed.
The Commission said the new ECHA guidelines aim to speed up scientific opinions, giving industry more immediate clarity on substance regulation.
“Simplification means clarity, not less security”
John Chave, CEO of Cosmetics Europe , told Premium Beauty News that the proposals certainly “go some way” in removing existing barriers and overly complex processes, “providing greater legal certainty and predictability, with safety being a priority.”
“…We very much hope that when Omnibus comes up for adoption, stakeholders will see it for what it is – a sensible improvement to the derogation process that will not impact safety but will genuinely help our flagship European industry remain competitive,” Chav said.
The Director General added that European consumer organisations opposing the proposals were “spreading unfounded alarm”. “…The proposals reduce the barriers for the industry in the derogation process, but do not remove them – CMR substances are still treated as a special case within the regulatory framework. Consumers must be confident that no one is taking safety risks.”
Alexander Mohr, president of IFRA , agreed: “Simplification means clarity, not less security. Clearer rules strengthen