On September 1, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation under the EU’s REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) on the proposal to identify three substances as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). Stakeholders are invited to submit scientific… Read More »ECHA Proposes Inclusion of 3 New Substances on the SVHC List

Spain has rolled out a sweeping climate emergency plan that raises corporate disclosure requirements and accelerates its clean energy transition, following wildfires that devastated over 300,000 hectares. The strategy fast-tracks decarbonization while reinforcing climate resilience. A key measure is mandatory carbon reporting. From 2026, companies… Read More »Spain Mandates Carbon Reporting Under New Climate Emergency Strategy

For Senate Bill (SB) 54, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (Cal Recycle) is putting up permanent regulations. The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, established by SB 54, mandates minimum content standards for single-use plastic food service ware and packaging, which… Read More »California’s SB 54 EPR Packaging Law Rulemaking for Permanent Regulations Begins

Initially aimed at firefighting foams, Illinois’ PFAS Reduction Act (SB 2516) was passed on August 6, 2021. The Act forbade the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of class B firefighting foam that contained purposefully added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting on January 1, 2025, and… Read More »Illinois Broadens the Prohibition on PFAS in Consumer Goods

On July 22, 2025, Japan convened a joint council meeting with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to deliberate on the handling of PFHxS-related substances, recommended for designation… Read More »Japan Holds Council Session on Potential Regulation of PFHxS-Related Substances 

Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) have revised the timelines for implementing mandatory climate-related reporting, easing requirements particularly for small- and mid-sized companies.  While listed companies will still need to disclose Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG)… Read More »Singapore Pushes Back Climate Reporting Mandate, Granting SMEs More Time to Adapt 

On July 21, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the addition of 18 new chemicals to its Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL). With this update, the list now includes 983 chemicals used across industries such as cleaning products, industrial solvents, and more. Aligned… Read More »EPA Expands Safer Chemical Ingredients List with 18 Additions

To encourage a circular economy in the industrial sector, Malaysia is tightening restrictions on the importation of plastic waste and requiring certification of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials.  More stringent regulations on the importation of plastic garbage have been in place since July 1, 2025. Amendments… Read More »Malaysia Enhances Regulation of Plastic Waste Imports 

The UK has launched a public consultation on draft Transition Finance Guidelines, designed to channel investment into high-emitting sectors and reinforce the country’s ambition to be a global leader in transition finance. The guidelines set out principles and practical factors that apply across asset classes… Read More »UK Releases Draft Transition Finance Guidelines to Drive Decarbonization in High-Emitting Sectors

The Philippines is set to launch a Carbon Credit Policy for its energy sector, aimed at strengthening the country’s position in global carbon markets while advancing its clean energy transition. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the draft framework will establish rules for generating… Read More »Philippines Set to Introduce Carbon Credit Framework for Energy Sector