Sector news

n-Hexane:
Complex EU Regulatory Landscape

Hexane, including n-hexane and technical hexane, faces a complex regulatory landscape in the EU in 2025.

REACH: In 2024, the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) initiated a Risk Management Option Analysis (RMOA) and proposed n-hexane as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). In 2025, Slovenia took over the case, raising questions about the connection between BAuA and Slovenia. Through discussions with BAuA and Slovenia, the Health and Safety Performance Assessment (HSPA) aims to gather more information about the classification initiative.

EFSA: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will disclose its findings on hexane in 2025. The Commission’s mandate, specifying the data scope for re-evaluation, is expected soon. Recently, France introduced a legislative proposal to ban hexane in food and feed. The HSPA will also strive to counteract this re-evaluation with scientific arguments and facts.