The European Commission has opened a public consultation proposing to amend Annexes I and V of Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 regulating the export and import of dangerous chemicals.

The European Commission proposes to amend Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 on the export and import of dangerous chemicals.

This regulation implements the Rotterdam Convention, which establishes the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain pesticides and industrial chemicals traded internationally, as well as the Stockholm Convention which aims to reduce or eliminate releases of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The main objective of the amendment to Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 is to update the lists of chemicals subject to control taking into account legislative changes implemented in the European Union, decisions taken under the Rotterdam Convention and recent inclusions in the Stockholm Convention, especially on POPs. The aim is to ensure legal consistency and to strengthen the protection of human health and the environment from hazardous substances.

The key changes focus on the inclusion of new chemicals in Annexes I and V, the revision of export and import conditions and the strengthening of transparency and traceability in the international trade of these products.

A public consultation process has been opened to collect views from citizens, businesses and interested organisations for 4 weeks until (Brussels time) on the 11 August 2025 (Brussels time) on the European Commission's website.