
Companies manufacturing or placing biocidal products on the EU market must prepare for a significant rise in regulatory costs. The European Commission has announced plans to update Regulation (EU) No 564/2013 on fees payable to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The revision will result in a 19.5% increase in all ECHA fees.
The planned fee increase applies only to ECHA fees for EU-level procedures.
It does not cover fees charged by national Competent Authorities (CAs), which are set independently by each EU Member State. National authorities may adjust their fees according to their own inflation policies, making it essential for companies to monitor both EU and national developments.
The planned revision focuses solely on adjusting fees to reflect cumulative inflation from 2021–2023. The nearly 20% increase will apply to:
This means all related ECHA fees will increase by almost one-fifth compared to current rates.
Despite earlier expectations, the revision will not introduce changes to:
These topics have been postponed, which may bring both advantages and uncertainties for the biocides industry.
Businesses planning to submit applications to ECHA in 2025 and beyond should account for nearly 20% higher fees.
Companies should verify whether national CAs are considering similar fee increases, as these can occur independently of ECHA changes.
Choosing between EU-level and national-level routes becomes more strategically important due to rising costs.
Where possible, accelerating certain ECHA procedures may help companies avoid paying the higher fees once they enter into force.
The European Commission concluded its public consultation via the “Have your say” platform on 3 April. Industry associations were able to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
The new ECHA fee rates are expected to apply in the second half of 2025, although the exact date is still unconfirmed. Companies should closely monitor:
The 19.5% increase in ECHA fees represents a substantial financial impact on the biocides sector, especially for companies relying on EU-level procedures. To minimise the effect, organisations should focus on:
Being proactive will allow companies to better manage rising regulatory costs and maintain compliance.
Sources: CA-June25-Doc.2.a – 107CA Draft minutes_open session.docx; Commission Regulation (EU) No 564/2013