China has significantly changed how foreign chemical manufacturers can obtain market access for new chemical substances. Effective August 15, 2026, foreign enterprises are no longer being accepted as applicants for new chemical substance environmental management registrations. The previous arrangement—under which an overseas manufacturer or trading company could apply through a designated Chinese agent—is being replaced…
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of ethylene dibromide under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation. Ethylene dibromide is primarily used in fuels and related products as a lead scavenger in leaded aviation gasoline and in certain industrial and commercial applications. EPA evaluated potential risks across…
On August 11, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a proposed rule that would fundamentally change how companies use the Generally Recognized as Safe—or GRAS—pathway for substances added to human and animal food. Under the proposal, companies generally would be required to notify FDA when introducing a substance into interstate commerce based on…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s updated Hazard Communication Standard is no longer a distant regulatory development. The first major compliance deadline has passed, and additional deadlines affecting workplace labels, safety data sheets, hazard communication programs, and employee training are approaching. OSHA published the updated Hazard Communication Standard, commonly called HCS 2024, on May 20,…
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of a widely used solvent, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation. 1,1,2‑Trichloroethane is a colorless liquid used mainly in industry as a solvent and as a building block to make other chemicals. Because it can evaporate into air…
An instructional video has been added to provide step-by-step guidance on applying the Expanded Decision Tree for food chemical toxicity screening. If not evaluated or used properly, some chemicals in food may have toxic properties that could pose a risk to human health. The FDA helps to safeguard the food supply by evaluating the safe…
FDA’s Cosmetics News FDA Finds Six Additional Cosmetic Products Marketed as Gel Nail Polish Remover To Contain Methylene Chloride The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered through testing that six additional cosmetic products marketed as gel nail polish remover contain methylene chloride, a prohibited ingredient in cosmetics. The testing is part of the…
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of four chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)—1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), phthalic anhydride, o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB)—by releasing draft documents related to the review of these chemicals and convening a peer review meeting of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). These chemicals are…
For non-EU chemical manufacturers and formulators selling into Europe, an Only Representative under EU REACH can be an effective way to simplify compliance and support continued market access. An Only Representative is an EU-based entity appointed to handle certain REACH obligations on behalf of a non-EU company. This can be especially useful when a business…
For non-EU chemical manufacturers, formulators, and exporters, understanding the role of an Only Representative under EU REACH is essential for maintaining access to the European market. If your company places chemical substances, mixtures, or certain articles into the EU, appointing an EU REACH Only Representative can help centralize compliance, reduce importer burden, and improve supply…