On October 30, 2024, a pilot enforcement project completed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Enforcement Forum revealed that approximately 6% of cosmetic products in the markets of 13 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) contain hazardous chemicals banned under the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulation and REACH Regulation. The inspection covered nearly 4,500 cosmetic products. Enforcement agencies reviewed ingredient lists, focusing on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), and their related substances, as well as cyclic siloxanes D4 and D5.

November 7, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially announced the 32nd batch of 1 substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 242.

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) issued the 23rd announcement of 2024, approving the release of 20 new mandatory national standards and one amendment to an existing mandatory standard. Among them is the mandatory national standard for the watch industry, GB 44702-2024 "Regulations on the Limit of Harmful Substances in Watch Components in Direct Contact with Human Skin," which will be implemented starting October 1, 2025. All relevant units need to pay close attention to the content of the new standard to ensure that their products comply with the national requirements.

We have collected the latest FAQs on ordinary cosmetics filing from the Guangzhou Administration for Market Regulation and translated them into English for your reference.

On October 3, 2024, the UK submitted notification G/TBT/N/GBR/81/Add.1 to the World Trade Organization to amend Regulation No. 1223/2009 (EC) (UK Cosmetics Regulation) applicable to England, Wales, and Scotland. This draft amendment is an addendum to the notification G/TBT/N/GBR/81 submitted by the UK on April 10, 2024.

On September 27, 2024, the European Commission published the amendments to the POPs Regulation — (EU) 2024/2555 and (EU) 2024/2570 — in its Official Journal. These amendments officially reduce the unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg and add methoxychlor (also known as methoxychlor) to the list of banned substances under the EU POPs Regulation. These amendments will take effect on the 20th day following their publication in the Official Journal, which is October 17, 2024. With this, the list of banned substances in Annex I of the EU POPs Regulation officially expands from 29 to 30 items.

We have collected questions concerning the National Medical Products Administration Government Service Portal and translated them into English for your reference.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have emerged as a global concern due to their widespread use and persistent nature in the environment. These chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are under increasing scrutiny by regulatory bodies and environmental organizations worldwide. Our upcoming free webinar will delve into the complexities of PFAS, focusing on the latest regulatory updates, testing methodologies, and mitigation strategies. Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of why PFAS have become a focal point in environmental safety and public health discussions globally.

On November 27, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China released the mandatory national standard GB 18585-2023 "Indoor Decoration Materials - Limitation of Harmful Substances in Wallpapers," replacing GB 18585-2001. The new standard will officially be implemented starting December 1, 2024.