Ethanol latest news

November 2025. ECHA's Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) was unable to reach a conclusion on it discussion of ethanol as an active substance in disinfectants due to a lack of consensus, with many member states unhappy with the proposed opinion that included a CMR classification proposal. The Committee will resume its work in February 2026 and aims to adopt an opinion later that year, but not before May at the earliest, after which, European Commission will take the decision.  

For more information on how industry is interacting with the decision making process and the status of the issue, please refer to the Ethanol REACH Association.

EU REACH fees increased and more work for SMEs in the future

The standard EU REACH fees increased by 19.5% on 5th November 2025 to reflect inflation since the last increase in 2015.  On a positive note, fees for SMEs were held at their previous levels.  However, the implementing regulation 2025/2067 also introduced a new requirement for SMEs to prove their status before they can submit an inquiry dossier.  SMEs will need to submit the required documentary proof allowing at least 2 months for ECHA to review and approve the status, which will remain active for 3 years.  There is no fee for this unless the application is rejected, in which case an administrative fee is levied. See ECHA release ECHA/NR/25/33 (dated 16/10/25).  This requirement comes into force on 5th February 2027.