European Commission releases simplification omnibus for chemicals

On 8th July 2025 the European Commission released its action plan for the chemical industry along with a simplification package – the 6th Omnibus – to streamline and simplify key chemicals legislation, including the CLP, Cosmetics and Fertilisers Regulations

The simplification package includes two proposed regulations covering CLP: 

1. Extension of implementation deadlines

The first proposed regulation delays the implementation of several new CLP provisions until 1 January 2028. These include:

• Mandatory formatting requirements for labels
• Advertising and distance sales obligations
• Six-month deadlines for significant label updates
• Labelling rules for fuel pumps

This delay is intended to prevent fragmented implementation timelines, especially in light of the broader changes proposed in the second regulation.

2. Key amendments to CLP requirements

The second proposed regulation introduces significant revisions to the recently amended CLP Regulation, including reversals of some recent changes and the addition of new flexibilities. Highlights include:

• Label update timelines: The strict six-month deadline for updating labels following classification changes is replaced with a more flexible requirement to update “without undue delay”.
• Label formatting: New rules on font size, line spacing, font type, and colour are removed. Instead, the existing qualitative requirement, that labels must be easily readable, remains in place.
• Advertising and distance sales: Requirements are lightened and now apply only to products marketed to the public. For advertisements, only the phrase “Always read the label and product information before use” is required. For distance sales, label elements must still be clearly visible.
• Fuel pump labelling: Annex II, Part 5 is amended to clarify that Unique Formula Identifiers (UFIs) are not required on fuel pump labels.

New provisions introduced

In addition to the rollbacks, the proposal introduces several new simplifications:

• Small and awkward packages: Reduced labelling requirements are simplified. There is no longer a need to prove that full labels cannot be applied. The exemption for inner packaging under 10 ml is extended to include outer packaging.
• Digital labelling: More flexibility is introduced for digital labels. Suppliers may now include additional contact information digitally, provided they comply with the new Article 4(11) requirement to have a supplier established in the EU.
• Digital contact channels: All references to a supplier’s telephone number are replaced with “digital contact”, defined as “any up-to-date and accessible online communication channel through which a supplier can be reached or engaged without the need to register or download an application”.

Next steps and outlook

Because the original CLP Revision was adopted through the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP), these new proposals must also go through the same process. Initial reactions from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have been mixed, and if the legislative journey mirrors that of the original CLP Revision, with multiple rounds of amendments and negotiations, final adoption could take considerable time.

Stay tuned for updates as the proposals move through the legislative process.

Support for your business

If you would like to speak to one of our chemical regulatory experts about the impacts of these changes on your organisation, contact us today.