The EU Chemicals Enforcement Forum held a remote meeting from March 18-20, 2025, where it reviewed and approved the detailed plan for the REF-14 joint enforcement action. This initiative aims to launch a comprehensive verification of compliance with the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation in 2026.
Key Meeting Highlights
1. REF-14 Joint Enforcement Action Focus
- Emerging risk products:
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- Nicotine products containing highly toxic substances (e.g., e-liquids for vaping).
- Aromatic mixtures such as air fresheners with irritant ingredients.
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- Innovative regulatory scenarios:
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- Compliance with new 2026 rules for foldable labels and digital labels.
- Verification of mixtures supplied at refilling stations.
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Current status: Inspection manuals are under development, with on-site EU-wide checks slated for the first half of 2026.
2. Collaboration with Biocidal Products Regulation Subgroup (BPRS)
- Shared a case database on classification disputes for air fresheners.
- Reported progress on cracking down on illegal use of diisocyanates in coatings/adhesives.
- Disclosed outcomes of combating cross-border "black industry chains" for illicit disinfectants and pesticides.
3. Three Strategic Projects Advanced
- Building a testing methodology repository covering REACH, CLP, and other regulations.
- Assessing discrepancies in member states’ implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation.
- Analyzing overlaps between the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and the Drinking Water Directive.
Next Steps
The Enforcement Forum and BPRS subgroup will convene a mid-year meeting in June 2025 to discuss enforcement adaptation plans following upcoming revisions to the CLP Regulation.
