The European Commission published the 2026 update to its rolling list of restriction activities under REACH on 31 August 2026, following consultation with REACH and CLP competent authorities in July 2026. The roadmap introduces a revised structure to show the different stages of the restriction process more clearly.
The roadmap lists nine restriction cases at Commission decision stage, including medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and other C14–C17 chloroalkanes, lead in certain fishing gear, 26 substances or groups newly classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic, lead in gunshot, creosote and related substances, hydrogenated terphenyls, calcium cyanamide, CMR substances in childcare products, and skin-sensitising or irritant substances in textiles, leather and fur articles.
ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee are currently consulting on three restriction proposals: octocrylene in cosmetic products, certain chromium(VI) substances and a universal PFAS restriction. ECHA expects to issue opinions on all three in 2026.
ECHA expects to submit an Annex XV dossier in December 2026 on certain non-polymeric aromatic brominated flame retardants, with a potential restriction covering electrical and electronic equipment, construction products and textiles. Germany is expected to submit a dossier on bisphenols and their salts with endocrine-disrupting properties by 12 March 2027, and Austria and the Netherlands on 6PPD and related substances in rubber tyres and other rubber articles by the same date.
Other work flagged includes possible extension of existing restrictions to other C4–C6 phthalates, investigation reports on alternatives to organophosphate and certain aromatic brominated flame retardants, potential restrictions on carcinogens in certain fibre forms, certain uses of 1,4-dioxane, hydrocarbon-based siloxanes and other high-temperature heat transfer fluids. The roadmap does not itself create new legal obligations but helps companies identify substances and uses that may face future restrictions.
