EHS trends shaping 2026: Key EU regulatory developments

As 2026 begins, Europe remains one of the most complex and influential regulatory environments for environment, health, safety, and ESG. During Enhesa’s recent webinar, New year, new EHS trends, our EU experts explored how regulatory priorities across chemicals management, environmental protection, worker health and safety, and artificial intelligence are converging to reshape compliance expectations for businesses operating in or selling into the region.

This article provides a detailed recap of the European developments discussed during the session, with a focus on what companies should be tracking now to stay prepared for the year ahead.

Chemicals management in the EU

Chemicals regulation continues to sit at the center of EU policy, with 2026 set to be another pivotal year, particularly for substances of concern.

PFAS restriction under REACH

One of the most closely watched developments is the proposed EU-wide restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH Regulation. Authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have updated the original proposal to reflect feedback from more than 5,000 stakeholder comments submitted since 2023.

Key changes include the expansion of the assessment to additional sectors, such as printing, sealing, machinery, selected medical uses, and military applications. Importantly, regulators are also considering alternatives to a full ban, including the possibility of controlled use under strict conditions for specific applications like electronics, energy, transport, and PFAS manufacturing itself.

The scientific and socio-economic committees of the European Chemicals Agency are currently reviewing the proposal. The Committee for Risk Assessment is expected to adopt its final opinion in March 2026, while the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis will finalize its position later in the year. A final decision by the European Commission and Member States is expected toward the end of 2026.

PFAS restrictions in firefighting foams

Alongside the broader PFAS proposal, the EU has already adopted a specific amendment restricting PFAS in firefighting foams under REACH. The measure introduces a phased approach, with obligations beginning in October 2026 for companies using firefighting foams containing PFAS above defined concentration thresholds.

Initial requirements include limiting use to specific fire scenarios, implementing separate collection and handling of PFAS-containing waste, and establishing annual PFAS management plans. Additional bans will apply in stages through 2027, with a near-total prohibition on placing on the market and using PFAS-containing firefighting foams scheduled for October 2030, subject to limited derogations for certain uses, including civil and military vessels.

Expansion of CMR substance restrictions

The EU has also amended REACH to expand restrictions on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances, aligning the restriction list with updated classifications under the CLP Regulation. As of September 2025, newly listed substances can no longer be placed on the market or supplied to the general public above specified concentration limits.

For affected companies, this means reassessing product portfolios, supply chains, and labeling practices, particularly where substances are used in mixtures or articles intended for professional use.

Environmental regulation and circular economy priorities

Environmental policy in the EU continues to broaden in scope, with increased emphasis on circular economy principles, climate targets, and streamlined compliance mechanisms.

Extended producer responsibility for textiles

In September 2025, the EU introduced its first Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for textiles and footwear. The directive entered into force in October 2025, with Member States required to transpose it by June 2027.

Producers placing covered textile products on the EU market for the first time will be responsible for financing collection, sorting, and waste management. Additional obligations include consumer information requirements, data reporting to authorities, and support for research into more sustainable product design.

Climate targets and CBAM simplification

On the climate front, the European Commission has proposed a binding target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, reinforcing the pathway toward climate neutrality by 2050. A provisional agreement reached by EU institutions maintains this ambition while introducing limited flexibility through international carbon credits and domestic carbon removals.

At the same time, the EU has adopted amendments to simplify compliance with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Key changes include exemptions for small importers, simplified emissions calculations, extended reporting deadlines, and reduced certificate surrender requirements during the definitive phase. These adjustments aim to reduce administrative burden while preserving the mechanism’s environmental objectives.

Worker health and safety developments

Worker protection remains a legislative priority across the EU, with a growing focus on exposure-based risk prevention.

In August 2025, the European Commission proposed new occupational exposure limit values for several carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances, reflecting updated scientific evidence. The proposal would also classify work involving exposure to welding fumes as a carcinogenic process, triggering additional protective measures.

If adopted, employers will need to review workplace risk assessments, monitoring programs, and protective controls to align with the new limits. These changes underscore the EU’s continued shift toward preventive health and safety regulation grounded in measurable exposure thresholds.

Artificial intelligence and digital governance

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly prominent compliance topic in Europe, both at EU and national levels.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the Digital Omnibus proposal in late 2025, aiming to simplify certain obligations under the EU AI Act. Proposed changes include easing requirements for small and medium enterprises, aligning conformity assessments with existing harmonization rules, and introducing transitional periods for generative AI systems already on the market.

Several Member States are also moving ahead with national measures. Italy has adopted legislation requiring employers to inform workers about the use of AI in hiring, management, and termination decisions, including details on system purpose, data sources, and potential discriminatory impacts. Denmark has issued guidance on prohibited AI practices and introduced penalties for non-compliance.

What this means for businesses operating in Europe

The regulatory developments discussed during the webinar highlight a consistent theme for 2026: more detailed obligations, broader scope, and closer scrutiny across multiple areas of EHS and ESG.

For companies operating in Europe, this means managing overlapping timelines for chemicals restrictions, circular economy initiatives, worker protection rules, and digital governance requirements. Success will depend on early visibility into regulatory change, coordinated planning across functions, and the ability to translate EU-level legislation into practical, site-level actions.