On Wednesday 29 April, the European Parliament approved its position on a targeted revision of the rules governing the classification, packaging and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics and fertilisers.
The report by Dimitris Tsiodras (EPP, Greek) and Piotr Müller (ECR, Polish) was adopted by 540 votes to 60 with 45 abstentions. The text has been referred to the relevant committees with a view to opening negotiations with the Council of the EU.
The new amendments submitted were rejected (see EUROPE 13856/17).
The European Parliament insists on the need to maintain legible labels for consumers. It also wants to reintroduce the obligation to indicate the supplier’s telephone number on the label.
Furthermore, MEPs are calling on the Commission to assess whether additional specific reductions of mandatory label elements should apply to packages of between 10ml and 125 ml. They add an obligation to include a warning, such as one or more hazard pictogram(s), in any public advertisement for a substance or mixture classified as hazardous.
On 23 October 2025, Parliament postponed the application of most of the provisions of the revised regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals until 1 January 2028.
Cosmetics. In general, MEPs want to reduce the period during which cosmetics containing carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) substances can still be sold. They are also against the Commission’s proposal to exempt CMR substances on the basis of oral or inhalation exposure.
In addition, MEPs want to reintroduce the requirement for cosmetic products containing nanomaterials to be notified to the Commission prior to being placed on the market, and not six months prior - as is currently the case. They want as well to specify that cosmetics sold without face-to-face contact with the customer (e.g. online) must clearly and visibly indicate all required consumer information such as durability and a list of ingredients.
The Left Group denounced a position that allows companies to continue selling cosmetic products containing carcinogenic or harmful substances, including PFAS and endocrine disruptors, “sometimes for several years after they have been identified as dangerous”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)