Amendments to the European Parliament’s draft report on the Commission’s chemicals omnibus will be debated on 25–26 February, with a key vote in a joint ENVI–IMCO meeting scheduled for 17 March.
Two parliamentary groups — the Greens/European Free Alliance and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats — have tabled amendments that would significantly strengthen protections under the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
What’s at stake?
The Commission’s draft has faced criticism for:
- Extending deadlines for removing carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances
- Linking CMR bans to route of exposure (e.g. inhalation vs. dermal), potentially weakening Article 15 safeguards
The proposed amendments would:
1️⃣ Extend Article 15 CMR bans to cover:
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
- Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
The Greens propose banning EDCs Category 1 (human health).
S&D go further, proposing a ban on EDCs Categories 1 and 2.
Both groups argue EDCs are of equivalent concern to CMRs under REACH Regulation — and that waiting is no longer justified.
2️⃣ Pre-empt the EU-wide PFAS restriction
With the broader EU PFAS restriction still pending, both groups argue Europe “cannot afford to wait.”
They point to:
- Available technically and economically feasible alternatives (silicones, biodegradable polymers, natural waxes)
- Evidence that many cosmetic brands already formulate without intentionally added PFAS
- The recent national ban in France, in force since January
3️⃣ Close the exposure-route loophole
Both groups seek to delete the paragraph that would exclude CMRs posing risk only via inhalation or ingestion from Article 15 bans — aligning instead with the Council’s November position.
The Greens argue that linking bans to exposure route risks creating a de facto exemption (including potentially for ethanol, should it be classified as CMR for oral exposure), undermining horizontal chemicals protection.
The upcoming debate and vote will signal whether the Parliament strengthens or weakens the EU’s chemicals protection architecture.
🗓 Debate: 25–26 February
🗳 Vote (ENVI–IMCO): 17 March
A critical moment for toxic-free cosmetics — and for the credibility of EU chemicals policy.
