REACH

Call for evidence: restriction of certain non-polymeric aromatic brominated flame retardants

We are looking for information on the expected socio-economic impacts of a potential REACH restriction of certain non-polymeric aromatic brominated flame retardants.

We want to hear how you would react to the restriction options, what the costs would be to comply with them, and how they could impact e.g. profitability, production processes, product quality, employment and trade.

We are also looking for information on the uses of non-polymeric aromatic brominated flame retardants and available alternatives, including the relevant technical and economic considerations.

Learn more about what type of information you are expected to submit in our webinar on 29 January 2026 at 11:00 Helsinki time.

Send your comments by 18 March 2026.

Your contributions will be used to prepare an Annex XV restriction proposal as requested by the European Commission.

New substance evaluation conclusion published

• Di-tert-butyl 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylidene diperoxide (EC 229-782-3, CAS 6731-36-8), evaluated by Germany.

CLP

New intentions and proposals to harmonise classification and labelling

Four intentions have been submitted for:

• 4,4'-isopropylidenebis[2-allylphenol] (EC 217-121-1, CAS 1745-89-7)
• benzyl benzoate (EC 204-402-9, CAS 120-51-4)
• A mixture mainly based on: 2,3-dihydro-6-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)phenyl]-1H-indene; 2,3-dihydro-5-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-1,1,3-trimethyl-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)phenyl]-1H-indene [1] Reaction mass of 2-hydroxy-1-{3-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)phenyl]-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl}-2-methylpropan-1-one and 2-hydroxy-1-{1-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)phenyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl}-2-methylpropan-1-one [2] (EC -, CAS -)*
• 4,4'-(propane-2,2-diyl)bis(2,6-dimethylphenol); 4,4'-isopropylidenedi-2,6-xylenol (EC 227-033-5, CAS 5613-46-7)*
  

Two proposals have been submitted for:

• Pyroxsulam (EC -, CAS 422556-08-9)*
• N-methylaniline (EC 202-870-9, CAS 100-61-8)*

*Chemical names, EC and CAS numbers to be confirmed.

Drinking Water Directive

Practical guide updated: How to prepare for notification of intention and application processes

We have updated the practical guide on how to prepare for the notification of intention and application processes under the Drinking Water Directive. 

The latest version of the guide reflects recent developments, including the publication of the EU positive lists in ECHA CHEM, the launch of our submission tool, ECHA Industry Portal, and information shared with stakeholders at the October 2025 Stakeholders' workshop.

Science

Watch our latest science seminars

You can now watch recordings of our science seminars from December 2025.

• REACH and OSH implementation at the workplace - findings from PARC. Pia Taxell, a Senior specialist from the Finnish Institute for Occupational Health, presents a study that examines how occupational exposure limits and REACH restrictions have been applied in practice.
  
  
• Assessing bioconcentration of surface-active substances in fish. Professor Michael McLachlan and Dr Steven Droge present key findings from the ECO-37 project on how surface-active substances bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate in fish.

All the science seminars and discussions are available on our science web pages and on our YouTube channel.

ECHA

Assessment of regulatory needs report published

Report for the following substance group is now available on our website:

• Esters from linear saturated dicarboxylic acids and linear or cyclic aliphatic alcohols

If you have questions or feedback related to the assessment work, you can send them to us using this webform.

EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON)

Nanopinion: Understanding the hidden curvature of graphene

Our first Nanopinion of 2026 is by Xiao-Wen Lei, Associate Professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo. 

This guest column delves into how lattice defects, often seen as imperfections, can be leveraged to enhance graphene's mechanical flexibility and functionalities.

European Commission

Biocides decision

The European Commission has amended the Union authorisation due to administrative and minor changes for:

• the biocidal product family 'Airedale PAA product family'.