American companies need to know about EU chemical regulations

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For many North American companies, chemicalcompliance is no longer limited to meeting U.S. regulatory requirements.Increasingly, the most significant pressure is coming from the European Union,where chemical regulations continue to evolve at a rapid pace. From expandingrestrictions on PFAS, to the implementation of GHS Revision 7, and a growingfocus on chemical sustainability, organizations that manufacture, import, orsell into the EU are facing a more complex and demanding regulatoryenvironment.

PFAS, often referred to as “foreverchemicals,” are a large group of man-made substances that have been widely usedfor decades due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They are commonlyfound in products such as coatings, sealants, firefighting foams, textiles,electronics, and industrial materials. The same properties that make PFASeffective in manufacturing are also what make them a growing concern. Thesechemicals do not readily break down in the environment and can accumulate overtime in water, soil, and the human body. As scientific research has continuedto link PFAS exposure to environmental damage and potential health risks,European regulators have taken an increasingly precautionary approach.

Unlike earlier regulatory actions thattargeted individual substances, the EU is now moving toward restricting entireclasses of PFAS chemicals. This shift presents a significant challenge forNorth American companies, particularly those with complex supply chains,imported components, or legacy formulations. Many organizations are discoveringthat they do not have full visibility into where PFAS may exist across theirproducts or raw materials. Without accurate chemical inventories and up-to-dateregulatory intelligence, identifying PFAS exposure and planning for saferalternatives can quickly become costly and time-consuming.

At the same time, the adoption of GHSRevision 7 is changing how chemical hazards are classified and communicatedaround the world. New hazard classes and updated classification criteria areimpacting safety data sheets, labeling requirements, and downstream hazardcommunication. For companies operating across multiple markets, the challengeis ensuring these updates are applied consistently and accurately across allchemicals and jurisdictions. Relying on outdated SDS libraries or manualprocesses increases the risk of non-compliance, particularly as regulatoryscrutiny and enforcement continue to increase.

Adding to this complexity is the EU’sgrowing emphasis on chemical sustainability. European regulators areincreasingly looking beyond hazard classification alone and evaluating howchemicals perform across their entire lifecycle. Concepts such as substancesubstitution, environmental persistence, cumulative exposure, and safe andsustainable by design are becoming central to regulatory decision-making. ForNorth American companies, this means compliance is no longer just about meetingminimum requirements. It requires a more strategic approach to chemical riskmanagement that aligns with broader sustainability expectations.

Many organizations struggle to manage theseoverlapping requirements because regulatory information is often fragmentedacross spreadsheets, shared drives, legacy systems, and external consultants.This fragmented approach makes it difficult to maintain a clear and currentunderstanding of regulatory obligations and increases the risk of missedupdates or delayed action. As EU regulations continue to expand in scope andcomplexity, this challenge places additional pressure on EHS, regulatory, andproduct stewardship teams.

ChemAlert helps North American companiesaddress these challenges by providing a centralized platform for chemical riskmanagement and global regulatory compliance. By continuously monitoringregulatory developments, including PFAS restrictions, GHS updates, and EUsustainability initiatives, ChemAlert ensures organizations are working withaccurate, current chemical information. This allows teams to quickly identifyimpacted substances, understand regulatory requirements, and take action beforecompliance issues arise.

Rather than reacting to regulatory changesafter they occur, organizations using ChemAlert can take a proactive approachto managing chemical risk. They gain greater visibility across their chemicalportfolios, increased confidence in SDS and labeling accuracy, and strongersupport for compliance and sustainability objectives across internationalmarkets. For North American companies navigating increasing EU regulatorypressure, this level of insight is becoming essential.

As EU chemical regulations continue toaccelerate, staying compliant is no longer about tracking individual changes asthey emerge. It is about having the systems in place to manage complexity,reduce risk, and support long-term resilience. With ChemAlert, North Americanorganizations can move beyond PFAS and navigate evolving EU chemicalregulations with confidence. Find out how ChemAlert can assist your business HERE

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