Background As early as 2009, PBDEs were classified in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention for worldwide elimination because to their toxicity, persistence, and propensity for bioaccumulation. PBDEs are still present in new products (such as furniture and textiles) made from recycled materials, even though… Read More »Significantly Tightens Concentration Limits for Brominated Flame Retardants (PBDEs) as the EU Strengthens POPs Regulation

The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled a new initiative to strengthen climate risk management within the Eurosystem by introducing a “climate factor” into its collateral framework. This move aims to safeguard the central banking system from the potential devaluation of collateral triggered by climate-related… Read More »ECB Integrates Climate Transition Risk into Collateral Framework

The “Ministerial Regulation No. 20 of 2025 on Import Policies and Regulations for Chemicals, Hazardous Substances, and Mineral Resources” was issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade on June 30, 2025, and it will go into effect 60 days later. According to the legislation, importers of… Read More »Indonesia Controls the Import of Mineral Resources, Chemicals, and B2 Hazardous Substances

The FY2024 GHS Recommended Classification List was recently posted on the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) website by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) of Japan. For businesses… Read More »186 Substances Have New Classifications! Recommended Chemical Classifications Are Released by Japan

On July 1, 2025, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) introduced amendments to the regulation titled “Scope of Responsible Businesses for Items or Containers that Should Display Collection-related Labels, Label Design Size, Position, and Other Compliance Matters.” The revision requires that plastic material identification codes be… Read More »Taiwan to Require Plastic Identification Codes on Liners and Blister Packs from July 2027

The IFRS Foundation has published six near-final illustrative examples to help companies apply IFRS Accounting Standards when reporting uncertainties, especially those related to climate scenarios. Developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in collaboration with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the examples aim… Read More »IFRS Foundation Issues Near-Final Climate Case Studies to Support Reporting on Uncertainty

The European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence for its upcoming “environmental omnibus proposal,” aimed at simplifying environmental laws and reducing administrative burdens for businesses, particularly in the areas of the circular economy, industrial emissions, and waste management. This initiative follows the EU’s broader… Read More »EU Proposes Relaxation of Rules on Industrial Emissions, Circular Economy, and Waste Management

On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decision to maintain the existing Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water, originally established in 2024. However, the agency extended the compliance deadline for public… Read More »U.S. EPA Pushes PFOA/PFOS Deadline to 2031

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has issued the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Act 2021, marking a decisive move to restrict harmful industrial substances. The amendment introduces… Read More »Australia Enforces Dual Ban on DBDPE and Mercury