ECHA adds two hazardous chemicals to Candidate List
On 14 June 2023, ECHA has added two new chemicals to the Candidate List of Sub-stances of Very High Concern (SVHC). One is Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (CAS Registry Number 75980-60-8), which is toxic for reproduction and used in inks and toners, coating products, photo-chemicals, polymers, adhesives and sealants, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay and etc. The other is Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulphone (CAS Registry Number 80-07-9), which has very persistent and very bio-accumulative hazardous properties, and it is used in the manufacture of chemicals, plastic products and rubber products. The Candidate List now contains 235 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment.

PFHxS compounds officially restricted under the POPs regulation
After the feedback period, the initiative amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the listing of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS related compounds has been officially adopted on 30 May 2023. The amendment adds PFHxS and its salts and related compounds to the list of prohibited substances under the POPs regulation, restriction when present as an unintentional trace contaminant in substances, mixtures or articles are: 1) concentrations of PFHxS or any of its salts equal to or below 0,025 mg/kg;  2) the sum of concentrations of all PFHxS related compounds equal to or below 1 mg/kg; 3) concentrations of PFHxS, its salts and PFHxS related compounds equal to or below 0,1 mg/kg where it is present in concentrated firefighting foam mixtures that are to be used or are used in the production of other fire-fighting foam mixtures. This regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

EU Plan to Implement Stricter Regulation on Bisphenol Compounds
The EU is set to implement stricter regulations on bisphenol compounds, following the discovery of these substances in baby and children's products. Between November 2022 and February 2023, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from seven EU member states tested 121 children products, covering textiles, leather, and plastics, and found that nearly half contained bisphenol compounds. NGOs are urging the Euro-pean Commission to regulate all bisphenols, including those not yet listed under the EU's REACH regulation.
While bisphenol A, B, and S are listed as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under REACH, other bisphenols such as bisphenols F and AF, which also have endocrine-disrupting effects, have not yet been included. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently evaluating a German proposal to restrict bisphenol compounds under REACH.

China Approves Amendment to Add Phthalates to RoHS
China has approved an amendment to add bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) to the list of China RoHS (restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) under the GB/T 26572-2011 standard. The decision was made by the Standardization Administration of China's Technical Committee for Environmental Standards in Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems. This move aligns with global hazardous substance control efforts in electronic products and aims to protect consumers and the environment from harmful substances. The amendment will take effect approximately 90 days after the conclusion of this month's legislative session.

D4, D5 and D6 have been proposed for listing as POPs under Stockholm Convention
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has proposed listing octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The EU will consider stakeholder's comments at relevant stages of the process under the Convention. The public consultation period on the proposal ends on August 10.