New Rules Streamlining Chemical Assessments Enter Force

On 5 January 2026, the European Union brought into force a major overhaul of how chemicals are assessed for safety across its member states. The new legislative framework - known as “one substance, one assessment” (OSOA) - replaces fragmented and duplicated testing with a unified system designed to make evaluations more consistent, efficient and transparent across all relevant EU laws.

Under the reformed approach, authorities will rely on a common data platform that consolidates information on chemicals previously scattered across multiple databases and regulatory regimes. This platform is intended to serve as a centralised hub for information on hazards, uses, environmental fate, emissions and physico-chemical properties of substances. The result will be reduced redundancies, faster access to quality data and more coordinated decision-making by public regulators.

The OSOA framework also introduces a monitoring and outlook system to detect emerging chemical risks more rapidly. By systematically gathering and analysing indicators across the EU, regulators will be better positioned to anticipate harmful trends and take preventive action.

Authorities responsible for different sectors - such as pesticides, biocides, toys, food contact materials and industrial chemicals - will share scientific and technical tasks more clearly, reducing overlaps and ensuring that assessments are carried out by the agencies best equipped for specific risks.

The new rules are part of the EU’s broader Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which aims to protect human health and the environment while fostering innovation and competitiveness. By streamlining processes and improving cooperation between agencies, the initiative is expected to enhance the bloc’s ability to act swiftly against hazardous chemicals, support safer alternatives and strengthen public confidence in chemical governance across Europe.

Streamlined chemical-assessment rules affect substances-of-concern documentation obligations across manufacturing, packaging and consumer goods, and they intersect closely with EU PPWR, REACH and the Battery Regulation. Our sustainability-due-diligence teams help clients evaluate substance-linked exposure and align with international frameworks.