News Legislation Markets & Companies
CEPE calls for smarter regulation to strengthen EU industry
CEPE has published a 19-point proposal to reduce regulatory complexity and support innovation in the paints and printing inks sector. The initiative advocates for more efficient, not less, regulation.
On 8 May 2025, CEPE — the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists’ Colours Industry — published a set of concrete simplification proposals addressing the growing regulatory burden affecting the sector. Representing an industry that employs 100,000 people in Europe, CEPE warns that complexity in current EU legislation is hampering innovation, investment and operational efficiency. The position paper outlines changes to regulations such as REACH, CLP and the Biocidal Products Regulation, aiming to preserve policy objectives while improving implementation and compliance.
“We are not asking for deregulation,” said CEPE Managing Director Christel Davidson. “We are asking for smart, effective regulation.” The proposals are intended as a constructive contribution to the European Commission’s commitment to reduce administrative burdens by at least 25 %.
Key proposals: digitalisation, deadlines, harmonisation
Among the recommendations are the adoption of a Commission-supported XML standard for importing Safety Data Sheets, the use of QR codes to provide access to SDS for professional users, and a simplified approach to Poison Centre Notifications (PCN). CEPE suggests allowing PCN dossiers to be submitted in English across all Member States and calls for the removal of national fees for dossier submissions.
In the area of biocides, the proposals include accelerating approval timelines, reducing costs, and shifting the assessment process from individual substances to entire product types. CEPE also urges the EU to intervene when national labelling requirements conflict with harmonised EU legislation, warning that such measures undermine the Single Market.
Message to policymakers
CEPE supports the EU’s broader regulatory goals but argues that better coordination, proportional obligations and digital tools are needed to make them workable. The 19-point plan is designed for rapid implementation and aims to enhance the sector’s resilience and sustainability while reducing unnecessary burdens.
