The Restrictions Roadmap is a deliverable under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability which calls for action towards a toxic-free environment and forms part of the European Green Deal. One of the actions foreseen by the Strategy is a revision of the REACH Regulation and other relevant product legislation to keep consumer and professional products from containing the most harmful substances.

The Roadmap,  which is deemed necessary before the new REACH Regulation rules enter into force, prioritises group restrictions for the most harmful substances to human health and the environment as set out in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. In full respect of the prerogatives of EU countries under the REACH Regulation, the Restrictions Roadmap includes a rolling list of substances, which will become the basis for the multiannual planning under REACH. The rolling list will be regularly reviewed and updated, ensuring a balance between needed flexibility and commitment to ensure progress.

The Commission considers the extension of the ‘generic approach to risk management’. This would empower the Commission to introduce bans for a group of substances without the need to demonstrate an unacceptable risk on a case-by-case basis. However, since it may take several years before the new REACH Regulation rules enter into force, the Commission prepared this roadmap to prioritise certain substances for group restrictions.

The roadmap sets out the planned restrictions, providing transparency to stakeholders on the authorities’ restriction work and allowing companies to anticipate (potential) upcoming restrictions, e.g. by beginning substitution. The roadmap provides a balance between the need for flexibility on when/how to act, and securing the necessary commitment to ensure progress on restricting the most harmful groups of substances set out in the strategy.

Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton said:

To fulfil the commitments under the Chemicals Strategy, stakeholders need transparency and visibility on the upcoming work. The Restrictions Roadmap provides such visibility, and allows companies and other stakeholders to be better prepared for potential upcoming restrictions.

Commissioner for Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius said:

These REACH restrictions aim to reduce exposure of people and the environment to some of the most harmful chemicals, addressing a wide range of their uses - industrial, professional, and in consumer products.

More information:

• Press Release 25 April 2022
• Restriction Roadmap Commission Staff Working Document
• Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
• REACH Restrictions website