European Parliament votes to approve revision of chemicals rules

“We are pleased that the trilogue negotiations have produced an agreement that puts to the fore the need for clear scientific grouping of substances for harmonized classification and labelling”, said Aurelie Perrichet, Regional Director for Europe at IFRA. “It enhances legal certainty whilst making grouping a workable approach – which is important given how much group restrictions will likely affect the perfumer’s palette”.

The adoption of the revision of the CLP Regulation is among the final acts of this European Parliament, as this session is the last of the mandate, with parliamentarians heading off to pursue their respective reelection campaigns.

“The revised regulation also includes specific provisions for the classification rules of substances with more than one constituent (‘MOCS’) derived from plants or parts of plants”, said John Chave, Director General of Cosmetics Europe. “This decision will support the future of the natural ingredients used in cosmetics and fragrances – helping to meet bio-economic, social and competitiveness goals”.

The CLP revision was expected to be followed by the revision of the REACH Regulation as part of their wider inclusion in the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. However, the REACH rework will now be delayed until the next mandate – likely in line with the new political priorities of the newly-elected EU Institutions.

“We believe it is key that, following the example of the CLP, further changes to the cosmetics and chemicals legislation support competitiveness of the cosmetic and fragrance sectors while promoting sustainability of products”, said Mr Chave.

“Boosting growth and competitiveness is in line with the recent draft conclusions of the Council of the EU and the widely supported Antwerp Declaration. Respectively, these call for a new European Competitiveness Deal and for a European Industrial Deal", concluded Ms Perrichet.