Context and Priorities At the EU chemicals policy conference in Brussels on 29 September 2025, Commissioner Jessika Roswall delivered a keynote addressing the upcoming revision of the EU’s REACH Regulation. She framed the revision as a political and personal priority focused on balancing public health, environmental protection, and economic competitiveness. The speech emphasized the need to modernize REACH to foster a healthier, resilient society and a green, digital industrial transition.
Concrete Proposals and Policy Orientation Roswall’s speech outlined concrete measures aiming for simplification and enhanced enforcement of chemical regulations. Key initiatives include streamlining authorizations and restrictions by reducing individual approvals in favor of broader, more predictable restrictions, and improving data collection on hazardous chemicals like endocrine disruptors. The revision also aims to reduce animal testing by encouraging non-animal safety assessment methods, fortify enforcement and border controls on chemical imports, and intensify coordination among Member States.
A major highlight was the call for an EU-wide ban on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in consumer products to protect public health, while allowing limited uses in critical industrial sectors under strict conditions. The Commission also plans to ban PFAS in firefighting foams, invest in innovation hubs and research for safer alternatives, and launch a public-private initiative to address existing PFAS pollution.
Policy Cleavages and Stakeholder Impact The proposals suggest increasing EU regulatory powers by strengthening enforcement and harmonizing PFAS restrictions, offset by efficiency gains through simplification. This indicates a nuanced tension between fostering competitiveness of the EU chemical sector, which is a global innovation leader, and imposing stricter controls to safeguard public health and the environment.
EU chemical industry players may face increased compliance costs from broader restrictions and enhanced border controls but could benefit from clearer regulatory frameworks and innovation support. Citizens and civil society groups may welcome improved health protections and reduced pollution. National authorities will see increased coordination demands, while EU regulatory bodies will undertake stronger oversight tasks.
In sum, Commissioner Roswall’s address signals a significant reform effort aimed at balancing environmental and public health goals with economic innovation and simplified regulation in the EU chemical sector, with particular attention to addressing the persistent challenge of PFAS pollution.
← Atlas › News › Environment