Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released two draft risk-evaluation assessments that address the phthalates butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP). Both reports concluded that the chemicals pose a “unreasonable risk” to the environment and… Read More »Draft TSCA Risk Assessments for DIBP and BBP Are Released by the U.S. EP

On August 1, 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) dismissed appeals by France and the European Commission, confirming the 2022 EU General Court decision to revoke the classification of certain powdered titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a carcinogenic substance. The ruling temporarily closes a years-long… Read More »EU Court Confirms Removal of Carcinogenic Label for Titanium Dioxide in Latest Classification Update

The Taiwan region of China’s Ministry of Environment released hazard assessment templates for four Priority Existing Chemicals (PEC) substances on August 5, 2025. These substances are zinc oxide (CAS No. 1314-13-2), sulfuric acid (CAS No. 7664-93-9), toluene (CAS No. 108-88-3), and antimony trioxide (CAS No.… Read More »Templates for Hazard Assessment Reports Are Released by Taiwan, China; Complete Exposure Hazard Data Is Due by the End of 2026

Within five years of going into effect, a proposed Philippine bill would require the total phase-out of specific single-use plastic packaging. A new measure that was submitted to the Philippine Senate in July 2025 seeks to address the nation’s growing waste problem by creating a… Read More »A Philippine Senate Bill Aims to Create a Framework for the National Circular Economy

To improve plastic waste management and guarantee accountability, India’s CBIC now requires importers of plastic raw materials to register for EPRs prior to customs clearance. Before their shipments can pass customs, importers of plastic raw materials must provide proof of registration on the Centralized EPR… Read More »For customs clearance, India requires importers of plastic raw materials to register for EPR

With effect from August 1, 2027, the new required China RoHS standard (GB 26572-2025) combines the SJ/T 11364-2024 for labelling with the current GB/T 26572-2011 for concentration restrictions. “Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products” is the first mandatory national… Read More »China Issues Mandatory RoHS Regulations for Labelling and Limits of Hazardous Chemicals

One of the first goods in Japan to be officially certified for environmental design, acknowledging their recyclability, are PET bottles used in the beverage sector. The new guidelines are intended to promote advancements in PET bottle design, including more recycled content and lightweight construction. As… Read More »Japan Offers PET Beverage Bottles Environmental Design Certification

The European Commission has officially adopted the Voluntary Standard for SMEs (VSME) — a new, simplified sustainability reporting framework designed to support micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in disclosing ESG-related information. The standard aims to help these businesses meet rising data requests from financial… Read More »EU Commission Approves Sustainability Reporting Standards for Small Businesses

Talc should be classified as a Category 1B carcinogen (“presumed to be carcinogenic to humans”) under the EU Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, according to a final opinion released by the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) on July 9, 2025. Furthermore,… Read More »ECHA Issues CLH Opinion Regarding Talc Labelling and Classification

The whole text of the GB 30000.30-2025 Specification for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals – Part 30: Desensitized Explosives was just released by the National Public Service Platform for Standard Information. A major step toward China’s close alignment with international standards around chemical hazard classification… Read More »China Issues GB 30000.30-2025, a Mandatory National Standard for Desensitized Explosives