Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of their persistence, these chemical substances are transported across international boundaries far from their sources and they persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a great hazard to human health and the environment.

Phthalates is a general term for compounds which result from the reaction of phthalic anhydride and alcohol. Such substances are mainly employed as plasticisers make plastics and rubber more piable. They are widely used in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE), toys, coatings, inks, garments, packaging materials, detergents, lubricants and personal care articles, etc. But when the concentration of phthalates exceeds a certain level, it may disrupt endocrine of human bodies, bringing harm to the development and health of children.

On August 23, 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released an investigation report regarding the presence of CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reproductive Toxic) substances in children's products. This initiative aims to provide support for the development of committee restriction measures to protect children from the hazards posed by CMR category 1A or 1B substances in children's products.

Hangzhou CIRS C&K Testing Technology Co., Ltd. officially inaugurated its new toxicology laboratory in August. Located in the Tianhe High-tech Industrial Park in the Binjiang District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, this lab is to provide toxicological tests and research services to industries such as cosmetics, medical devices, health products, specialty foods, and pharmaceuticals.

In July 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the final rule on "Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Requirements for Asbestos Reporting and Records" which mandates specific companies to report relevant information on asbestos and asbestos-containing products (including as impurities) manufactured (including imports) or processed in the past four years.

Recently, Japan has detected sodium aluminate dioxide (CAS No.: 1302-42-7) in some imported products containing sodium aluminate (CAS number: 11138-49-1). In accordance with the announcement of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), sodium aluminate dioxide was classified as deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL) on July 1, 2018.

On June 20, 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that the European Union Enforcement Forum plans to carry out the 13th Joint Enforcement Project (REF-13) and the 3rd Major Enforcement Project on Biocides (BEF-3) within the EU by 2025.

On May 19, 2023, the Technical Committee for Hazardous Substance Testing Methods (SAC/TC297/SC3) of the National Standardization Technical Committee for Environmental Standardization of Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems organized a technical review meeting in Beijing for the first amendment of the national standard GB/T 26572-2011 'Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.' During the meeting, the reviewing experts attentively listened to the drafting team's report on the process, content, and relevant materials of the amendment. They conducted a rigorous review of the technical content and textual format of the submitted draft and unanimously agreed to pass the review of the GB/T 26572 amendment. They also recommended submitting a complete set of approval documents to the National Standards Committee for further modification based on the opinions expressed in this review meeting, in order to expedite its approval and implementation.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), abbreviated as GPC, utilizes the differential elution time of molecules of various sizes through a gel column to separate molecules of different molecular weights in high polymers. The intensity and elution time of each eluted component are measured using a refractive index detector. By comparing the elution time of unknown samples with the standard curve of known standard materials in terms of elution time and molecular weight, the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of each eluted component of the unknown sample can be determined.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), abbreviated as GPC, utilizes the differential elution time of molecules of various sizes through a gel column to separate molecules of different molecular weights in high polymers. The intensity and elution time of each eluted component are measured using a refractive index detector. By comparing the elution time of unknown samples with the standard curve of known standard materials in terms of elution time and molecular weight, the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of each eluted component of the unknown sample can be determined.