Global Chemical Regulation Highlights | June 2023

South Korea

On June 1, 2023, by NIER Announcement No. 2023-21 and NIER Announcement No. 2023-22, South Korea's NIER made public the adopted amendments to the TCSL and the GHS Classification List. The amendments took effect immediately. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea to Designate 3 New Toxic Substances
  

• South Korea Updates Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances

• South Korea Updates Guide for Chemical Testing Methods

• Korea Discloses Hazard Assessment Result of 37 New Chemicals

• South Korea to Introduce Microplastic Control Act

• South Korea to Hold A Hearing on Designating Lead Compounds and Benzene as Restricted Chemicals

Japan

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has opened a public consultation period until July 20, 2023, seeking opinions on the revision of the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL). The purpose of the revision is to re-categorize substances that are subject to mandatory SDS and labelling requirements. It is expected to be finalized in early August 2023. (Read more)

• Japan Issues Recommended GHS Classifications for 170 Substances

Australia

In June, the Australian government recently announced that new rules will be implemented in mid-2023 

for decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, as part of the government's efforts to protect the environment and human health from the potential risks posed by these target chemicals. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Australia:

• Australia Published 18 New Evaluations Statements

• Australia SWA Announces Transtition to UN GHS Rev.7 Completed

India

India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has released the Circular No. 15/2023-Customs  on June 7, 2023, mandating the declaration of IUPAC name and CAS number for constituent chemicals of imported items. This regulation will come into force on July 1, 2023. 

On June 30, 2023, CBIC announced in the Circular No.18/2013-Customs to postpone the effective date for mandatory declaration of IUPAC name and CAS number from July 1, 2023 to October 1, 2023. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in India:

• India Delays Quality Control Orders for n-Butyl Acrylate and Toluene

On May 11, 2023, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)  published the second draft amendment of the Decree No. 38/2014/ND-CP on the Management of Chemicals Governed by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction for public consultation. The draft was open for comments until May 31, 2023. (Read more)

More regulation highlight in Vietnam:

• Vietnam Consults on Revision of Regulation on Transport of Dangerous Goods

• Thailand FDA to Update Notification Requirements for Type 1 Hazardous Chemicals

• Philippines Recommends Criteria for Prioritization Assessment of Chemicals in PICCS

European Union

On June 14, 2023, ECHA has added the two chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC), which now contains 235 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment. Companies have legal obligations resulting from the inclusion of substances in the Candidate List. 

(Read more)

 More regulation highlights in EU:

• ECHA Sees Broad Use of Alternatives for Chemical Safety Assessment

• ECHA’s Committees: EU-wide PFAS Ban in Firefighting Foams Warranted

• Product Passports Increase Chemical Transparency and Drive the Market Towards Safer Products

• New EU Chemicals Enforcement Project to Focus on Products Sold Online

• EU Adds 24 CMR Substances to REACH Restriction List

On June 22, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to update the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list to identify nine additional PFAS subject to reporting requirements. The addition of these PFAS supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address the impacts of these forever chemicals, and advances EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap to confront the human health and environmental risks of PFAS. (Read more)

 More regulation highlights in North America:

• EPA Finalizes Rule to Increase Transparency under TSCA

• EPA Accepting Public Comments on Candidates to be ad hoc Reviewers for Draft Supplement to the 1,4-Dioxane Risk Evaluation Under TSCA

• EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rules for Flame Retardants In Support of Risk Evaluations

• Canada Publishes Draft Environmental Quality Guidelines for BTEX

• Canada Releases Notices to Amend the Domestic Substances List under CEPA

• Amendment to CEPA 1999 Receives Royal Consent