ECHA released the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2024-2026, which updates a list of 28 substances suspected to pose risks to human health and the environment for evaluation by the competent authorities of 11 Member States.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is considering recommending five substances for the REACH Authorisation List. These five substances cover: Melamine; Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof (TBPH); S-(tricyclo[5.2.1.0 2,6]deca-3-en-8(or 9)-yl) O-(isopropyl or isobutyl or 2-ethylhexyl) O-(isopropyl or isobutyl or 2-ethylhexyl) phosphorodithioate; Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide; and Barium diboron tetraoxide.

On 18 January 2024, ECHA published a screening report to assess whether the use of these four benzotriazoles in articles, including UV-328, UV 327, UV-350, and UV-320, should be restricted in accordance with REACH Article 69(2). Based on the available evidence, ECHA is considering restricting or prohibiting the use (or presence) of three out of the four substances, including UV-320, UV-350, and UV-327 in articles and preparing an Annex XV dossier for restriction. In terms of UV-328, ECHA is of the view that at present there is no need to prepare an Annex XV dossier for restriction as the substance is expected to be addressed by the EU POPs regulation.

Helsinki, 23 January 2024 - The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially announced the 30th batch of 5 substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 240. ECHA has also updated the existing Candidate List entry for dibutyl phthalate to include its endocrine-disrupting properties for the environment. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was added in to the SVHC Candidate List in October 2008 in the first batch.

On September 27, 2023, EU made updates to its REACH Regulation in its amendments Regulation (EU) 2023/2055. This amendment introduced Article 78 to Annex XVII of the REACH regulation (EU No 1907/2006), which pertains to restrictions on synthetic polymer particles (microplastics). Additionally, it included rules for degradability certification in Appendix 15 and solubility certification in Appendix 16. This regulation will come into effect on October 17, 2023.

On July 17, 2023, the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 to amend the REACH Regulation by introducing a new restriction - Article 77, which specifically addressing formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing substances in Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation. This new provision will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This update can be seen as a comprehensive control measure by the EU to regulate formaldehyde, and the scope of applicable products is no longer limited to those containing boards; it now encompasses almost all lightweight consumer products, including furniture, toys, baby and children's products, tools, stationery, fitness equipment, pet supplies, and sanitary products, among others.

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 8th, 2023, the European Commission published the revised regulation (EU) 2023/923 of Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 in its official journal. The regulation aims to restrict the use of lead stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, the regulation proposes some exceptions for the use of recycled PVC products. The revision will come into effect 20 days after the official announcement. The second column of entry 63 of Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation now includes new restrictions on lead and its compounds.

To protect workers and the environment, ECHA recommends to adds eight substances, including lead, to the REACH Authorisation List. Once substances are added to the REACH Authorisation List, companies will need to apply for authorisation before a specific date to continue using them.

The Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No.12) has entered into force since January 1, 2021. In accordance with its supporting document, the Guidelines for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (hereinafter referred to as the “Guidelines”), polymers containing no more than 2% monomers or reactants of new chemical substances or belong to polymers of low concern can apply for records without quantity limitation if they are excluded in exemption circumstances.