On July 2, 2026, the European Commission published an updated REACH Restrictions Roadmap, the EU's rolling overview of ongoing and planned restrictions on hazardous substances.
What's new in the REACH Restrictions Roadmap 2026
The REACH Restrictions Roadmap 2026 update gives companies an early view of substances the Commission expects to restrict next under the REACH Regulation. Three files are particularly advanced:
- Universal PFAS restriction
A proposed EU-wide restriction covering industrial, professional and consumer uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. ECHA aims to complete its scientific opinion by the end of 2026.
- Chromium VI in industrial applications
Hexavalent chromium compounds, classified as carcinogenic, are under evaluation for further restriction in industrial uses; an ECHA opinion is also expected in 2026.
- Octocrylene
This UV filter used in cosmetic products is being assessed for aquatic toxicity as part of the roadmap's cosmetics-related files.
What the roadmap means for companies
None of the three files listed above have reached the formal restriction proposal stage yet, so no new legal obligations apply immediately. The roadmap is nonetheless a deliberate early-warning tool: once an ECHA opinion is adopted, the Commission typically moves toward a formal restriction proposal and REACH Committee vote within months.
Companies manufacturing, importing or using PFAS, chromium VI compounds or octocrylene should start mapping affected materials and articles now, rather than waiting for the restriction to become legally binding.
How IPOINT supports REACH compliance
Tracking a moving target like the REACH Restrictions Roadmap requires reliable substance data across the supply chain. With IPOINT Compliance, companies can monitor relevant substances in materials and components and prepare for upcoming restrictions before they become mandatory.
