Four new SVHCs proposed

EU member states propose four new substances for inclusion on REACH Candidate list of substances of very high concern for Authorization; all substances relevant for food contact

U.K. committee report on toxic chemicals

Parliamentary committee report calls for greater transparency of chemicals used in food packaging, recommends U.K.-wide ban on SVHCs in food contact materials, proposes government strategy to reduce PFAS exposure

Over 200 substances now on SVHC list

European Chemicals Agency adds 4 new entries on the list of substances of very high concern (SVHC); substances potentially relevant for food contact materials

European Council conclusions for chemicals strategy

European Council recommends that EU Commission develops clear action plans to address REACH dossier compliance, minimize exposure to endocrine disruptors; calls for collection of information on nanoforms of low volume substances not yet registered under REACH

EU conference on chemicals policy 2030

European Commission hosts multi-stakeholder conference on chemicals policy; discusses setting criteria for green and sustainable chemistry, chemicals in the circular economy, and fair competition from foreign manufacturers

Changes to REACH authorization process

European Chemicals Agency announces planned changes to the authorization process for chemicals under REACH; to require submission of substitution plans, revision of format for scientific committee opinions, standardize opinion texts

Fitness check of non-REACH chemical policies

EU Commission publishes results of fitness check for EU’s chemicals policies (excluding REACH), confirms ‘high level of protection’ provided by current legislation, acknowledges implementation challenges

Cefic releases mid-century report and action plan

European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) publishes report outlining vision for European chemical industry until 2050, launches action plan to review and improve REACH registration dossiers

ECHA to increase REACH checks, review mixtures

European Chemicals Agency announces a number of upcoming changes and efforts; plans to increase REACH dossier evaluations to 20%, categorize high tonnage substances, launch pilot project reviewing classification of mixtures within CLP regulation

REACH investigation flags non-compliant companies

German NGO BUND uses freedom of information request to identify substances and companies implicated in incomplete REACH dossiers, calls on ECHA to increase transparency of substance registrations