The new framework is a major step towards more coordinated and efficient chemical safety assessments throughout Europe.
Chemicals play a vital role in modern society, despite many having properties that can harm both people and the environment. Robust, coordinated assessments of chemicals are therefore essential.
The ‘one substance, one assessment’ (OSOA) laws, which entered into force on 1 January 2026, will make chemical assessments more consistent, transparent and efficient across EU legislation, covering products such as toys, food, pesticides and biocides.
This new framework will also help identify risks earlier and allow faster regulatory action when needed, strengthening the protection of the environment and human health.
At the core of this package is a new common data platform on chemicals, due to be operational within the next three years. Accessible to everyone, this platform will serve as a central hub, bringing together chemical data collected under various EU laws.
It will enable public authorities to re-use information on chemicals more easily, supporting better decision-making.
The new measures will bring stronger cooperation between EU chemicals agencies by clarifying the division of tasks, reducing duplication of work, and consolidating scientific and technical tasks.
Scientific assessments will be performed consistently and by the agencies that have the most appropriate expertise and tools.
The package also introduces a monitoring and outlook framework to detect emerging chemical risks earlier. By systematically gathering data and using indicators and early-warning tools, the EU will be better equipped to identify new concerns and act swiftly when necessary.
“By streamlining the way chemicals are assessed, we can act earlier and more decisively to protect people’s health and the environment. This new framework will make it easier to access reliable data, strengthen our scientific cooperation, and improve the EU’s ability to anticipate and manage chemical risks.”
Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Economy Commissioner Jessika Roswall
The package consists of three legislative acts:
- A Regulation establishing a common data platform on chemicals and a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals
- A Regulation re-attributing technical tasks and improving cooperation among EU agencies
- A Directive on the re-attribution of technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
Background
The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (2020) is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition, a key commitment of the European Green Deal.
One of the objectives of the strategy is to improve effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the safety assessment of chemicals across chemicals legislation (‘one substance, one assessment’).
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