On June 3, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced new EU-wide enforcement initiatives targeting compliance with restrictions on hazardous substances in products under EU chemicals legislation. The agency’s Enforcement Forum agreed to launch the REF-16 enforcement project, which will verify whether products and mixtures placed on the EU market comply with restriction requirements, including limits on hazardous substances. The project will also cover online sales and examine how inspection results can support enforcement activities under the Digital Services Act. Inspections are scheduled for 2028, with a final report expected in 2029. In addition, ECHA approved a pilot enforcement project focused on tattoo inks and permanent makeup products, assessing compliance with substance restrictions and labeling requirements. Inspections for this project are planned to begin in 2027, with results expected in 2028. The Enforcement Forum also launched its first Rapid Enforcement Initiative (REI-1), targeting companies that have failed to update registration dossiers following harmonized classification and labeling changes. Furthermore, ECHA’s Biocidal Products Regulation Subgroup agreed to conduct the BEF-4 enforcement project on online sales of biocidal products and cross-border market surveillance. The initiative will verify compliance with authorization, active substance approval, and information requirements for biocidal products sold online. These coordinated enforcement actions aim to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve market surveillance, and enhance protection of human health and the environment across the European Union.
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