On September 28, 2023, U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an important new rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requiring manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to provide more data for better regulation. PFASs are a large class of chemically stable organic fluorides known for their water and stain resistance, as well as good insulation. They find extensive use in various industrial sectors, including food packaging, electronics, leather and apparel, construction and household applications, firefighting, and medical supplies. However, PFASs are persistent and migrate in the environment, making them difficult to degrade. They are also called persistent chemicals and have posed a significant threat to human health and the ecological environment.

On September 27, 2023, ECHA was mandated to prepare an Annex XV report for possible restriction of chromium substances (CrVI). ECHA should submit a restriction proposal by October 4, 2024. This restriction proposal intends to improve the effectiveness and management of chromium (VI) substances in the European Union.

On October 20, 2023, China’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued an announcement regarding the temporary export control measures on graphite materials. Some materials will be subject to export control, and three highly sensitive graphite materials including spherical graphite, which were previously subject to temporary control, will be included in the list of dual-use items for export control. Moreover, temporary control measures on five low-sensitivity graphite materials primarily used in industries such as steel, metallurgy, and chemicals, including carbon electrodes of a kind used for furnaces, will be removed. The control measures take effect on December 1, 2023.

On September 26, 2023, the Commission on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship (CCJC) in Brazil published PL 6120/2019. Eariler on May 9, 2023, CCJC approved the bill (PL 6120/2019) and has send it to the Federal Senate for further consideration. PL 6120/2019 proposes to set up a national chemical inventory as a national database to collect the information on chemicals imported or manufactured in Brazil with hazard characteristics. If PL 6120/2019 is approved, Brazil will be the fourth country in South America that have chemical management regulations, following Peru, Chile, and Colombia.

On October 4, 2023, in accordance with the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals, the National Institute of Environmental Research in Korea released Notice No. 2023-460 on revision of Classification and Labeling Regulations for Chemical Substances.

On October 4, 2023, the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in South Korea published Notice No. 2023-459 on the revision of the Designated Toxic Substances, to strengthen the administration of toxic substances.

Our Global Chemical Regulation Conference, held on October 5, was a resounding success, drawing delegates from 21 countries, and representing a diverse spectrum of the chemicals industry. Supported by five sponsors, nine industry associations, the Irish embassy in London, and the Department of Business and Trade (DBT), this event marks a significant milestone for the CIRS Group, marking our largest European conference to date.

On October 11, 2023, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the 13th batch of simplified registrations for new chemical substances in 2023. In accordance with the Measures for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 12), the MEE has approved a total of nine simplified registration applications of new chemical substances after review, and all these applications meet relevant requirements and are approved to conduct simplified registrations.

On October 10, 2023, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) approved the 12th batch of simplified registrations for new chemical substances in 2023. In accordance with the Open Government Information Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (Order No. 711 of the State Council), the MEE hereby published the approval results as follows for publication.

On October 10, 2023, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the second batch of chemicals to be added to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC). According to the Measures for Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 12) and the Guidance on Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (hereinafter referred to as the Guidance), the MEE reviewed application materials submitted by relevant units for the addition of the four substances into the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC). These four substances fulfill the requirements stipulated in Article 3 of the Guidance as well as MEE Order 12 and are hereby to be added to the IECSC.