On Wednesday 16 April, MEPs voted in favour of further simplifying the provisions governing the classification, packaging and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics and fertilising products.
With 114 votes in favour, 6 against and 7 abstentions, the Committees on the Environment and Internal Market adopted their report, which reinforces the simplification package proposed by the European Commission for these sectors (see EUROPE 13798/4).
Chemicals. MEPs oppose the removal of all requirements relating to the text that must appear on a product label, insisting that it must remain legible for consumers. They want to reintroduce the obligation to indicate a telephone number for the supplier on the label. Furthermore, MEPs want the Commission to carry out an assessment on whether additional specific reductions of mandatory label elements should apply to packages of between 10 ml and 125 ml. They are also calling for a requirement to include a warning such as applicable hazard pictogram(s) in any public advertisement for a substance or a mixture classified as hazardous. On 23 October 2025, Parliament postponed most of the provisions of the revised regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals to 1 January 2028.
Cosmetic products. MEPs want to reduce the period during which cosmetics containing substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) can still be marketed. They oppose the Commission’s proposal to exempt certain CMR substances on the basis of oral or inhalation exposure. MEPs are also calling for the reintroduction of the obligation to notify the Commission before cosmetic products containing nanomaterials are placed on the market. Cosmetics sold without direct contact with the customer (e.g. online) must clearly indicate all the information required by consumers, such as shelf life and list of ingredients.
Fertilisers. MEPs stress the need to amend the rules on fertilising products in order to simplify regulations for European fertiliser producers and support EU farmers. MEPs support a “digital-by-default” approach to make information more easily accessible and to update the technical rules. The European Parliament is due to adopt its negotiating mandate with the EU Council on this file at the plenary session on 29 April. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)