Published by Chemical Watch News and Insight by Enhesa
Business News
News
Stay up to date with some of the biggest regulatory and chemical management stories from the last 30 days. Every month Chemical Watch News & Insight journalists will explain the background and significance of some of our key stories, giving you additional context and insight into the regulatory and chemical management developments affecting you, your team and your organisation.
This week’s Podcast Short looks at a feature on EU REACH and debate over potential end-of-life restrictions in a pair of proposed TSCA significant new use rules (SNURs). Topping the headlines this week is a special feature from senior correspondent Clelia Oziel, who looks at the EU REACH regulation nearly 20 years after it was adopted in late 2026 to understand why current reform efforts have stalled, and where there might be room for compromise ahead. In the US, North America managing editor Kelly Franklin looks at why industry is expressing concern about potential end-of-life restrictions included in proposed SNURs for two mixed metal oxides used in batteries. Other top stories discussed include: Sweden’s plan to ban PFAS from several consumer products as early as 2028; a proposed QR code option for California’s Proposition 65 warnings; and a draft bill in Thailand that would establish a dedicated process for environmental cases. Tune in to hear about our top stories from the last week, and then visit Chemical Watch News & Insight to catch all the latest chemicals management news from around the globe. Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Podcast Short looks at our top stories from Washington state and the EU, plus other significant developments from New Mexico, Canada and more. In Washington state, the Department of Ecology has outlined what priority products are likely to see restrictions next under the Safer Products for Washington (SPW) programme. In the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has cut the safe dietary exposure level for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), signalling increasing regularly scrutiny for the ultra-short-chain PFAS. And the UK government has formally extended UK REACH registration deadlines for the third and likely final time. Other stories discussed include: New guidance from New Mexico to help companies comply with its upcoming PFAS labelling regime; Canada adding the first chemical to its Watch List of potentially concerning substances; A federal judge blocks enforcement of California’s recyclability labelling law; UN PFAS review highlights divisions over how to manage the persistent chemicals. Tune in to hear more and then visit Chemical Watch News & Insight to catch all the latest news in chemicals management. Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
Catch up on the latest headlines from Chemical Watch News & Insight This week’s Podcast Short reviews our top stories, plus other interesting developments from around the globe. In New York, the state attorney general has sued six chemical manufacturers over their use of PFAS in consumer products, with the lawsuit going beyond allegations typically raised in state-led PFAS cases. In the EU, committees in the European Parliament have given a green light to a provisional agreement among EU lawmakers on the Chemicals Omnibus, bringing the measure one step closer to adoption. Meanwhile, regulators in China have proposed a unified framework for managing national and industry standards for cosmetics and toothpaste. Other stories include: Illinois prohibiting two dozen cosmetic ingredients; the European Commission proposing to ban 16 cosmetic ingredients deemed to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicants; Brazil finalising its RoHS resolution restricting substances in electrical and electronic equipment; and a feature story looking at how some investors view the long-term risks of PFAS . Tune in to hear more and then visit Chemical Watch News & Insight to catch all the latest news on global developments in chemicals management. Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
The latest episode of Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast discusses the ambitious slate of TSCA actions outlined in the US government’s recent update to the unified regulatory agenda, as well as the timing of anticipated proposals from the Food and Drug Administration. North America managing editor Kelly Franklin joins the podcast to talk about the many chemicals-related actions the EPA hopes to release in the coming months, including as many as ten major proposed or finalised TSCA rules in July alone. We also discuss the FDA’s planned timelines to release proposals that would amend the GRAS process, restrict formaldehyde-releasers in hair products and mandate the disclosure of fragrance allergens in cosmetics. Tune in to catch the full episode! Then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s podcast short looks at a trio of stories covering the US government’s latest unified agenda, with the EPA hinting at a surge of upcoming TSCA rules, the FDA pushing back the release date for its GRAS proposal, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission signalling that its regulatory review of organohalogen flame retardants is continuing. In Europe, we discuss a story covering the UK government’s plan to hold off on immediate restrictions on non-essential PFAS uses while it monitors developments in the EU. And a business desk article looks at Hyundai Motor Company’s goal to phase out PFAS by 2029 and the challenges ahead for a future of expanding PFAS restrictions. Other highlighted stories include: a guest article on TSCA enforcement for chemical imports; chemical management initiatives in Malaysia and Colombia ; a new challenge to New Mexico’s PFAS labelling law; and emerging research on chemical exposures from yoga mats . Tune in to hear more about our top headlines, then visit Chemical Watch News & Insight for all the latest global developments in chemicals management. Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
Catch up on the latest headlines from Chemical Watch News & Insight with our latest Podcast Short. This week, we look at discussions from a meeting of the EU’s Environment Council, where ministers said the upcoming REACH update should focus on gaps in enforcement and digitizing data-sharing infrastructure. In the US, the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Monsanto in a case over state-level failure-to-warn claims related to its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, a decision that could have significant implications for warning requirements under California’s Proposition 65 scheme. And in Asia, regulators in China have moved to simplify the country’s approval process for new cosmetic ingredients. Elsewhere in the world, the podcast covers the latest developments on: a proposed EPA listing of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and six other ultrashort fluorinated compounds for drinking water monitoring; Rhode Island adding an exemption for its PFAS restriction law; a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on the proposed basic regulation governing ECHA; and more! Tune in to hear a summary of our top stories from the past week. And then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
Join us for our first Chemical Watch Podcast Short, where we highlight our latest top stories. This week, we look at the options the European Commission is exploring as it considers updating REACH without reopening the law, as well as the Commission’s latest draft of its Restrictions Roadmap . In the US, our coverage dives into the big $450m settlement with Chemours over PFAS discharges, as well as the implications of California’s attorney general conceding a lawsuit over Proposition 65 warnings for DEA in cosmetics, the latest case over the First Amendment’s limits on government-compelled warnings where there is not a scientific consensus on a substance’s toxicity. Elsewhere in the world, we cover: the latest in the legal challenge to New Mexico’s PFAS labelling and fee requirements; debate in New Zealand over a bill that would require regulators to rely more on chemical assessments from other jurisdictions; and the United Kingdoms’ recent push for more alignment with the EU on chemicals regulation. Tune in to hear more about our top headlines. And then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa looks at two recent recommendations from ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC): one saying the ultra-short-chain PFAS TFA warrants classification as a reprotoxicant, and another agreeing with a French proposal to classify the acne treatment ingredient resorcinol as a category 1 endocrine disruptor. Science editor Andrew Turley joins the podcast to talk about the RAC’s recommendation for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and the implications if the PFAS is ultimately classified as a reprotoxicant and potentially more under the EU CLP Regulation. In addition, science reporter Dr Emma Davies discusses resorcinol and what it means if the industrial ingredient becomes the first substance to be classified as an endocrine disruptor for human health under the CLP Regulation. Tune in to catch the full episode! And then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
In this week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa we discuss the status of the UK’s chemicals framework more than five years on from Brexit, as well as the latest on the EU’s chemicals omnibus proposal. Europe editor Luke Buxton provides an overview of what has happened with the UK chemicals framework since the Brexit transition ended at the end of 2020, including UK REACH ; the classification, labelling and packaging regulation (or GB CLP); the biocidal products regulation (GB BPR); and more. In addition, Europe reporter Vanessa Zainzinger joins the podcast to talk about the EU’s chemicals omnibus proposal and the compromises made to move things forward . Tune in to catch the full episode! And then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa looks at where things stand with the proposed REACH revision as well as actions by some individual EU member states to forge their own path, including new restrictions on PFAS. Managing editor for Europe Leigh Stringer joins the podcast to talk about EU chemicals policy , including the REACH revision and a recent push from several members of Parliament who want to see reforms to ECHA before taking steps to revise the bloc’s main chemicals legislation. And EMEA reporter Eline Schaart discusses what is ahead for EU member states , as several countries forge ahead with their own national measures, including restrictions on PFAS in certain products. Tune in to catch the full episode! And then come back to read all the latest developments in chemicals policy from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
In this week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa, we look at recent updates to chemical laws in China, Japan and Vietnam. Asia desk editor Dr Kerry Hebden joins the podcast to talk about changes to Japan’s Chemical Substances Control Law , some of which are due to take effect next month. Kerry also talks about Japan’s transition from the 6th version of the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to GHS 9. Asia desk senior reporter Uzair Aftab also joins us to discuss what’s ahead for Vietnam after the country adopted its new Law on Chemicals last summer. In addition, Uzair talks about China , its new Law on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals and how the country hopes to become a world powerhouse for cosmetics. Tune in to learn more. And then come back to see all the latest headlines from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa takes a look at what is ahead for the global packaging sector . Senior editor Charlotte Niemiec joins us to talk about the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) taking effect later this year and what that means for companies. We’ll also discuss the growing number of US states that have adopted extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, including the status of the federal lawsuit challenging Oregon's scheme. Tune in to learn more. And then we hope you will come back to read all the latest headlines from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the host at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast from Enhesa takes us inside the US EPA’s recent proposal to amend the 2023 TSCA PFAS reporting rule and the potential implications for stakeholders. North America Managing Editor Kelly Franklin joins us to talk about the ways EPA is looking to scale back the scope of its TSCA section 8(a)(7) rule, why article importers may support those plans, and why environmental and public health groups likely will not. We’ll also talk about how modifications could affect the information the agency collects, what the proposal means for the current April 2026 opening of the reporting period , and why litigation may ultimately follow any final changes. Tune in to learn more. And then come back to read the latest headlines from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
This week’s Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast looks at the factors behind retailer Patagonia’s 20-year journey to phase out the use of intentionally added PFAS. Business editor Shanda Moorghen joins the podcast to talk about Patagonia’s recent announcement that it has phased out PFAS from its new products, how it got there, and why the company says it still will not market its products as "PFAS free". We also discuss the roles that NGO advocates, lawmakers and industry all have to play as more businesses and jurisdictions grapple with how to deal with the persistent, but useful, class of chemicals. Tune in to learn more. And then come back to read the latest headlines from Enhesa’s Chemical Watch News & Insight . Have a podcast idea or a comment to share? Let us know by emailing the editor at Terry.Hyland@Enhesa.com .
In this episode, Managing Editor for Europe, Leigh Stringer, discusses what we know about the REACH revision and how a negative opinion on the proposal from the European Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board has thrown a wrench into the timing of its release. We also walk through the basics of the EU’s simplification agenda and how it is impacting the REACH revision and other EU chemicals legislation.
In this episode, North America desk editor Julia John talks about California legislation that could limit phthalates in IV bags, bisphenols in children's products and more. Asia senior reporter Uzair Aftab talks about how businesses are dealing with Taiwan's upcoming deadline for registering more than 100 priority existing chemicals. Finally, senior reporter on biocides, Vanessa Zainainger, joins us to talk about Biobor JR, an exempted jet fuel preservative, and how it came to enter, and stay, on the EU market.
In this episode, Europe managing editor Leigh Stringer talks about the results of this summer’s elections in Europe and what they might mean for policies like the EU’s REACH revision and the alternative transitional registration model (ATRm) for UK REACH. Senior editor Terry Hyland talks about the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision to overturn Chevron deference and how it could affect TSCA.
In this episode, Europe editor Luke Buxton walks us through the new UK REACH registration model proposal, Asia desk editor Dr Kerry Hebden talks about why Japanese businesses want more time to phase out the flame retardant Dechlorane Plus, and North America desk editor Julia John shares the story behind how the UV-absorber BEMT could become first sunscreen active ingredient approved in the US in decades.
This week's Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast takes a deep dive into a recent ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of Inhance Technologies v US EPA . In this episode, North America managing editor Kelly Franklin and senior editor Terry Hyland discuss the history and potentially broad implications of the court's conclusion that the EPA exceeded its statutory authority in issuing TSCA orders that would have forced Texas-based Inhance to shut down its long-running process for fluorinating plastic containers.
This week's Chemical Watch News & Insight podcast dives into some of the latest developments out of the European Commission, Taiwan and the US EPA. In this episode, senior correspondent for Europe Clelia Oziel discusses action behind the scenes as the European Commission debates the REACH revision, polymer registration, essential use of chemicals and more.
