Chemicals Omnibus (VI) agreement delivers on EBIC’s requests for microbials and REACH+
July 2026
On 26 June 2026, the Council of the EU confirmed its agreement with the European Parliament on 16 June 2026 on the Regulation simplifying certain requirements and procedures for chemical products, also known as the Chemicals Omnibus (VI), and sent a letter to the European Parliament for their subsequent endorsement of the agreement.
The agreed text of the Chemicals Omnibus (VI) marks a major achievement for EBIC, delivering a successful outcome to the association’s intense advocacy efforts over the past year. It also delivers two of EBIC’s main simplification objectives for the FPR since it was published in 2019: a criteria-based pathway for new micro-organisms to be used in microbial plant biostimulants and significantly more proportionate and workable REACH requirements for chemical substances used in EU fertilising products.
Amendments relevant to microbial plant biostimulants
The Chemicals Omnibus (VI) establishes a criteria-based pathway for new micro-organisms to be used in microbial plant biostimulants, in line with EBIC’s position. Article 42(4) in the FPR is amended according to Articles 3(9)(a) and Article 3(9)(b) in the Chemicals Omnibus (VI) to allow the European Commission to adopt delegated acts to set out criteria and a methodology for the conformity assessment of microbial strains other than those listed in Annex II. Subsequently, “if a manufacturer demonstrates and the notified bodies confirm (…) compliance with those criteria (…) in accordance with that methodology, this strain may be used as component material in EU fertilising products”, without the need for each strain to be added to the positive list under CMC 7.
While the amendment provides elements to consider (taxonomic relation to QPS, production process, identity and residue levels of toxins or microbial metabolites, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, etc.), the specific criteria and methodology will have to be established after the publication of the Chemicals Omnibus (VI).
Amendments relevant to REACH registration requirements for virgin material substances and mixtures (CMC 1) used in EU fertilising products
In line with the position adopted by EBIC and supported by many other organisations in the the fertilising products sector, the Chemicals Omnibus (VI) removes the extended REACH registration requirements in the FPR for CMC 1 substances used in EU fertilising products, except for substances with certain severe hazardous properties, identified by reference to specific hazard classes or categories under the CLP regulation [Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008]. In essence:
- Substances with certain severe hazardous properties must be present in a quantity/concentration greater than the cut-off values set out in Article 11(3) of CLP [Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008] in order to trigger the extended REACH requirements under the FPR.
- The list of exemptions from extended REACH requirements are expanded to include the exemption from the general obligation to register for product and process orientated research and development (PPORD), in line with Article 9 of REACH [Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006].
Other amendments relevant for plant biostimulants
Digitalisation aspects
Among other digitalisation provisions, the Chemicals Omnibus (VI) amends the FPR to make it mandatory for manufacturers to draw up the EU declaration of conformity in electronic form and ensure that it can be directly accessed via an internet address or data carrier.
General criteria and a methodology for new and missing materials
According to a new paragraph inserted by the Chemicals Omnibus (VI) in the FPR, the European Commission must adopt a delegated act establishing general criteria and a methodology for the assessment of materials other than those listed in Annex II of the FPR (excluding micro-organisms), or if that should not be possible, criteria and a methodology for categories of such materials, or a new component material category, by 36 months after entry into force of the Chemicals Omnibus (VI). If the Commission cannot fulfill this deadline, they will have to provide detailed justification to the Council and Parliament.
This amendment reflects a joint advocacy effort led by the European Consortium of the Organic-Based Fertiliser Industry (ECOFI), through the Joint Task Force on New Materials, of which EBIC is a member, together with other European fertilising product associations.
Addition of animal by-products (CMC 10)
The Chemicals Omnibus (VI) also amends the FPR to clarify the process for the addition of new derived products within the meaning of the Animal by-products Regulation (ABPR) [Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009] to CMC 10.
Once an end point has been determined under the ABPR, the assessment of these materials in terms of risks to soil and water, and other aspects not considered for the end point determination, shall be initiated within 12 months. If there is scientific evidence that they do not present a risk and ensure agronomic efficiency, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act to include these materials in CMC 10 without undue delay. In addition, the amendment establishes that requirements shall be “proportionate and sufficient”.
Next steps
Following the formal adoption and publication of the Chemicals Omnibus (VI), EBIC will work closely with its members, the European Commission and Member States to support the effective implementation of the new provisions.
In particular, EBIC will coordinate members’ input into the development of the criteria and methodology for new microbial strains, engage with policymakers on the implementation of the revised REACH requirements, assess the practical implications of the new digitalisation provisions, as well as contributing to ongoing discussions on new component materials and animal by-product-derived materials.
EBIC will also keep members informed of the Regulation’s entry into force, implementation timelines and opportunities to contribute to forthcoming delegated acts and related technical work.