REACH

European Commission adopts EU-wide restriction on DMAC and NEP

On 2 June 2025, the European Commission adopted a restriction on N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-one (NEP). 

This measure bans the placing on the market, manufacture and use of these aprotic solvents in concentrations at or above 0.3 % after 23 December 2026, unless companies follow the agreed worker protection limits (DNEL). The obligations will apply from 23 June 2029 in relation to placing on the market for use, or use of DMAC as a solvent in the production of man-made fibres.

DMAC is used in the production of agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. NEP is used in cleaning products, oil drilling and water treatment. Both are known to be harmful to reproduction and can harm the unborn child.

The restriction proposal was prepared by the Netherlands in April 2022. Our scientific committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis supported the proposal in their 2023 opinions.

New substance evaluation conclusion published

• O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate (EC 209-909-9, CAS 597-82-0), evaluated by the Netherlands.

CLP

New intentions and proposals to harmonise classification and labelling

Four intentions have been submitted for:

• p-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-N,N-bis(2,3-epoxypropyl)aniline (EC 225-716-2, CAS 5026-74-4);
• dioctyltin oxide (EC 212-791-1, CAS 870-08-6);
• m-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-N,N-bis(2,3-epoxypropyl)aniline (EC 275-662-9-1, CAS 71604-74-5); and
• dichloro(dimethyl)silane (200-901-0, CAS 75-78-5).

Sixteen proposals have been submitted for:

• 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl ester, branched and linear (Provisional chemical name) (EC 271-093-5, CAS 68515-50-4);
• dicyclohexyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 201-545-9, CAS 84-61-7);
• benzyl butyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 201-622-7, CAS 85-68-7);
• [1α(S*),3α]-(α)-cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl3-(2,2-dichlor-oethenyl)-2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate αCypermethrin) (Provisional chemical name) (EC -, CAS 67375-30-8);
• diisooctyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 248-523-5, CAS 27554-26-3);
• dibutyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 201-557-4, CAS 84-74-2);
• 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-8-branched alkyl esters, C7-rich (Provisional chemical name) (EC 276-158-1, CAS 71888-89-6);
• bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 204-211-0, CAS 117-81-7);
• fenazaquin (ISO);4-[2-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-ethoxy]quinazoline (EC 410-580-0, 120928-09-8);
• Naphthenic acids, zinc salts, basic (EC 282-762-6, CAS 84418-50-8);
• dihexyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 201-559-5, CAS 84-75-3);
• tetraconazole (ISO); (+/-) 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)propyl 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether (EC 407-760-6, CAS 112281-77-3);
• Methyl-1H-benzotriazole [1] and its inorganic salts, with the exception of those specified elsewhere in this Annex (Provisional chemical name) (EC -, CAS -);
• Chlormequat chloride (Provisional chemical name) (EC 213-666-4, CAS 999-81-5);
• sulphuryl difluoride (Provisional chemical name) (EC 220-281-5, CAS 2699-79-8); and
• diisohexyl phthalate (Provisional chemical name) (EC 276-090-2, CAS 71850-09-4).

Drinking Water Directive

Q&As on Drinking Water Directive available

Our database of questions and answers has been updated with entries relevant to the Drinking Water Directive. 

The new entries aim to give answers to industry's questions on the topic. We will continue to update the list once more issues are identified.

Webinars

ECHA CHEM: first set of regulatory process and obligation lists

Join our webinar on 23 September 2025 at 11:00-13:00 (Helsinki time) to learn about a new addition to the ECHA CHEM database: the first set of regulatory process and obligation lists.

The list of activities and processes includes REACH, CLP, Drinking Water Directive (DWD) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) regulations.

You will also get a preview of future developments and upcoming additions to the platform.

ECHA

A reference list of neurotoxicants based on harmonised classifications

Our scientific officers have compiled a reference list of neurotoxic substances to support the development of new approach methodologies. The list, based on available harmonised classifications, is published in NeuroToxicology and may be used for assay validation.

This initiative contributes towards safer and more ethical chemical testing practices.

European Commission

Biocides decisions on active substances

The Commission decision not approving an existing active substance:

• ethylene oxide for product-type 2.

Read more about the product-types.