ECHA’s Enforcement Forum has agreed that the next EU-wide enforcement project will focus on restrictions on hazardous substances in products. Another project will check for restricted substances in tattoo inks and permanent makeup.
Helsinki, 03 June 2026 – As part of the upcoming enforcement project (REF-16), inspectors will check whether products or mixtures placed on the market comply with restrictions under EU chemicals legislation. This includes verifying that restricted hazardous substances contained in the products are below the permitted limits.
The project aims to improve targeting of the controls to better identify non-compliant products. Inspectors will also include online sales in their checks. The Forum will cooperate with the European Commission and national authorities to explore how inspection results from online sales could support the enforcement of requirements applicable to online platforms under the Digital Services Act. Inspections are planned for 2028, with the report expected in 2029.
This project, along with a new pilot project on tattoo ink, focuses on restricted substances as inspectors frequently found non-compliance with these requirements in the past, especially among imported products or those that were sold online.
New projects on tattoo ink, CLP and biocidal products
The Forum also agreed to run a new pilot project on tattoo inks and permanent make-up. Inspectors will check that these products comply with the restrictions, focusing on the presence of hazardous substances above allowed thresholds and on correct labelling. Inspections are planned to start in 2027, and the report will be published in 2028.
In addition, the Forum launched its first Rapid Enforcement Initiative (REI-1). This action will address cases where companies have not updated their registration dossiers to reflect harmonised classification and labelling. Member State authorities will carry out targeted and swift follow-up on cases of non-compliance identified by ECHA.
The Forum’s biocides subgroup (BPRS) agreed that its next EU-wide enforcement project (BEF-4) will focus on online sales of biocidal products and cross-border cooperation. Inspectors will check that online offers – such as wood preservatives, rodenticides or insecticides – comply with information requirements, and that the products have a valid authorisation and contain approved active substances.
The project will also aim to strengthen cooperation between authorities in different countries where biocidal products are sold across borders into markets where they are not authorised. Inspections are planned for 2028, with the report expected in 2029.
Forum Chair re-elected
The Forum elected Henrik Hedlund (SE) as Chair and Katja Vom Hofe (DE) and Caroline Walsh (IE) as Vice Chairs. The BPRS elected Helmut de Vos (BE) as Chair and Eugen Anwander (AT) and Jussi Ollikka (FI) as Vice Chairs. They were elected for a three-year mandate.
The Forum and its biocides subgroup met on 26-29 May 2026.
