Answer to a written question – Transparency of the chemical composition of menstrual products and rules governing their safety in the EU – E-001459/2025(ASW)

The Commission refers the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question E-001083/2025. Although there is currently no specific provision explicitly requiring the composition of menstrual products to be provided, there are obligations in place to ensure the safety of these products.

As the Commission pointed out in its answer to Written Question E 001083/2025, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)[1], applicable since 13 December 2024, strengthens the safety framework for consumer products, including menstrual products.

It introduces stricter safety related obligations for economic operators such as the need to perform an internal risk analysis and the requirement to provide any relevant safety information on the product, or on its packaging, to warn of any risk.

Additionally, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation[2] regulates chemical substances in consumer products, with existing and upcoming restrictions on hazardous chemicals, including those found in menstrual products.

For instance, an existing restriction under REACH already bans the use of certain hazardous substances (e.g. the dioctyltin (DOT) compounds) in female hygiene products. A REACH restriction on skin sensitisers is in preparation too.

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, amending Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and the Council, and repealing Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 87/357/EEC. OJ L 135, 23.5.2023, p. 1-51.
• [2] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC. OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1-853.