The EU has published Regulation 2023/2055, which amends Annex XVII of REACH Regulation 1907/2006. The regulation will take effect on October 17. It bans the placing on the market of microplastics in all uses – with the exceptions mentioned below – and sets different transition periods for this. As of…
Persistent, mobile, and toxic (PTM) substances along with persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are found in the environment much more often than previously thought. The German Federal Environment Agency announced this finding in a press release. In part, the agency based its findings on a study that analyzed samples…
In a joint letter, various associations led by CEPE, which represents the coatings, inks, and printing inks industry in Europe, called upon the EU to rethink new labeling requirements. The letter claims that implementation of the planned requirements would have far-reaching implications for the industry. Among other points, the authors…
On August 17, 2023, EU Regulation 2023/1542 (EU Battery Regulation) went into effect. With a few exceptions, it will apply as of February 18, 2024. With the new regulation for batteries and waste batteries, the EU is creating a harmonized legal framework for the EU internal market that regulates all…
The EU Commission has set a limit of 0.025 mg/kg for perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and its salts in mixtures of substances and articles, publishing Regulation 2023/1608 that amends Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (POP Regulation). The regulation will enter into force on August 28. This strict limit is tantamount…
The South Korean Ministry of the Environment (Press release in Korean only) is now revising the K-REACH, the Korean Chemicals Act. Two changes are important for companies operating in South Korea. First, future registrations will be mandatory only for new substances manufactured or imported in quantities of one ton or…
The EU has published EU Regulation 2023/1490 and included 31 carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals on the Prohibited Substances List (Annex II) of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The banned CMR chemicals include: Ammonium bromide Benzophenone Acetamiprid 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol Dibutyltin di(acetate) Bentazone The ban takes effect on December 1,…
The testing or review program to examine existing active substances is to be extended until the end of 2030. The competent EU authorities have agreed on the extension and published it along with other measures in a discussion note. A further extension was necessary because not even half of the…
As of August 24, 2023, all manufacturers, importers, formulators, or downstream users of diisocyanates are required to have their employees trained if they handle substances or mixtures containing diisocyanates in a concentration of 0.1% or more by weight. Regulation 2020/1449 prescribes this training. The EU is also planning new occupational…
The European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) has criticized the slow pace of substance registration under Turkey REACH (KKDIK) and called for the KKDIK registration deadlines to be postponed by at least two years. The Association stated that so far, only 1,400 substances have been registered, with about 7,000 still pending….
