A group of 48 MEPs led by Christophe Clergeau (S&D) has submitted a follow-up parliamentary question demanding the European Commission explain why it has not acted on a 2020 European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opinion supporting a restriction on skin sensitising substances in clothing and menstrual products, despite estimated health benefits of at least EUR 708 million per year.
The question, dated 30 June 2026, builds on an earlier written question (E-001083/2025) to which the Commission replied on 16 June 2025. In that reply, the Commission mentioned that a REACH restriction on skin sensitisers was in preparation. The MEPs now note that France and Sweden notified their intention to submit a restriction proposal on 11 January 2018, submitted it on 12 April 2019, and the combined opinion of ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment and Committee for Socio-economic Analysis was adopted on 17 September 2020 — almost six years ago. The opinion supported restricting skin sensitising substances in clothing, footwear, and other items with similar skin contact, including menstrual products.
what actions the Commission has taken since the ECHA opinion, the expected timeline for a draft restriction proposal, and how the Commission factors the cost of inaction — particularly the six years of additional exposure — into its preparatory work. The question does not set numerical targets or deadlines for the Commission's reply.
The MEPs push for faster regulatory action under REACH to protect consumers, especially women and girls using menstrual products, from hazardous substances. They signal impatience with the slow pace of EU chemical safety regulation and seek to hold the Commission accountable for delays.
The Commission is required to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it intends to move forward with the restriction or justify further delays, and will signal the priority given to consumer health over industry compliance costs.