Aligning Sustainability and Competitiveness: A Science-Policy Exploration of REACH Revision Debates

The European Union’s (EU) central chemical regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is approaching a critical juncture with the announced revision in 2025. EU chemical policy stakeholders hold differing positions and expectations towards the legislative change. Stakeholders are debating the timing, direction, and nature of the proposed amendments. For example, industry associations emphasise the high safety standards enabled by REACH, which, in their view, make quick decisions unnecessary. In contrast, environmental organisations criticise what they see as deliberate postponement of the revision by industry associations, as well as the adverse effects of chemical pollution on human health and the environment.

These positions illustrate the politics of aligning sustainability and competitiveness in the EU chemicals sector. Using a qualitative narrative approach, this paper operates at the interface of science and policy, aiming to engage with different discursive positions and expectations of stakeholders, as well as the dynamics between them, to anticipate future policy directions early on. In this light, key questions include:

• What positions and roles do EU chemical policy stakeholders adopt on the REACH revision?
• What insights do stakeholder debates offer for shaping the future of EU chemical policy?

Drawing on a Discursive Agency Approach, this study combines interviews, stakeholder workshops, and policy document analysis. To accompany the portfolio of policy decisions with robust evidence, the research seeks to identify potential weaknesses and opportunities in the REACH revision process before the final legislation is enacted. The findings offer not only a rich, nuanced exploration of potential policy pathways but also aim to foster dialogue and contribute to actionable guidance for improving chemical regulation in the EU.

Moreover, the session slot aims to provide a retrospective overview of a 2024 science-policy stakeholder dialogue in Germany, which brought together industry leaders, NGOs, researchers, and regulatory bodies on chemical policy issues.