On 9 July 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) published a press release concerning a ruling on the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) decision to classify melamine as a substance of very high concern (SVHC).
In December 2022, ECHA identified melamine as an SVHC under the REACH regulation, citing probable serious effects on both human health and the environment (FPF reported). Following this decision, several companies involved in the manufacture or use of melamine filed an action for annulment before the General Court of the European Union, contesting the agency’s assessment.
The General Court dismissed the action, rejecting all of the applicants’ arguments. It confirmed ECHA’s classification of melamine and upheld the reasoning that the substance meets the criteria for SVHC identification. The Court also ruled that the applicants’ procedural rights had been respected, rejecting claims that stakeholders were not adequately heard during the decision-making process.
Reference
Court of Justice of the European Union (July 9, 2025) “The decision of the European Chemicals Agency identifying melamine as a substance with probable serious effects on human health and the environment is upheld.”
