31 October, 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice G/TBT/N/ USA /1287/Add.1 to confirm the final rule banning the use of lead acetate as a color additive in hair dye. The final regulations shall take effect on December 3, 2018. FDA is amending the color additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp because new data available since lead acetate was permanently listed demon ...

5 September, 2018, The European Committee (CEN) published a second amendment to the safety standard for soothers for babies and young children. The new standard EN 1400:2013+A2:2018 Child use and care articles - Soothers for babies and young children - Safety requirements and test methods is applicable to products that resemble or function as a soother. This European Standard specifies safety requirements relating to the materials, construction, performance, packaging and product information for soothers. ...

26 October, 2018, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a notice to add Nickel (soluble compounds) to the list of Prop 65, with immediate effect. 11 October 2018, the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) determined that soluble nickel compounds can cause reproductive toxicity based on the developmental and male reproductive endpoints.The California law requires manufacturers and retailers to warn workers and consumers exposed to chemicals on the list. ...

23 October 2018, the Canada Gazette published final regulation SOR/2018-196, banning the manufacture, import, sale, or use of asbestos and asbestos products, and imposed new limitations on exports. This regulation shall take effect on 1 January, 2018. Following are the exclusions: 1.Asbestos may be reused in the restoration of asbestos mining sites or in road infrastructure, including mounds and noise barriers, if that asbestos was integrated into road infrastructure before the day on which these Regulations came into force. ...

10 October, 2018, the Official Journal of European Union released the directive (EU) 2018/1513, amending the Annex XVII of REACH Regulation related to restricted substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), category 1A or 1B in textiles, added a new entry 72. This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 November 2018, binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Entry 72 — restricted substances and maximum concentration limits by weight in homogeneous materials ...

9 June, 2018, the cosmetics committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations released a notice to add ten additions to the list of substances restricted for use in hair dyes. This restriction will come into force from 1 December, 2019, after which all of the non-compliant products should be withdrawn from the market. What’s more, the maximum limit of 1, 4-Dioxane in cosmetics products is 25 ppm. The guideline for limits for contaminants in cosmetics will be published on the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website later. ...

4 September, 2018, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) notified WTO a plan to ban bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), dibutyl phthalate (DBP, CAS 84-74-2), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP, CAS 85-68-7) in food contact materials (FCMs) intended for infants and young children. This ban, which aims to protect the environment and human health from animal/plant pest or disease, protect food safety and applies to infant and children products, including food utensils, containers and packages. The ban will come into effect in January 2020 and is currently open for public comment until 3 November, 2018. ...

5 September 2018, ECHA proposed the Commission to include 18 substances in the Authorization List (Annex XIV to REACH). Comments can be given until 5 December 2018. The 18 substances to be included in the authorization list are as follows: 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A; BPA),2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4,4-dioctyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate (DOTE),Dioxobis(stearato)trilead,Fatty acids, C16-18, lead salts,Trilead dioxide phosphonate,etc. ...

4 September 2018, ECHA published a public consultation on the inclusion of six substances in the list of SVHC with a review deadline of 19 October 2018. The six substances are:2,2-bis(4'-hydroxy phenyl)-4-methylpentane,Benzo[k]fluoranthene,Fluoranthene,Phenanthrene,Pyrene,and Undecafluorohexanoic acid and its ammonium salt. ...

16 August, 2018, the Netherlands RIVM proposed a restriction on the concentration limit of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in granules and mulches used in synthetic turf pitches, or in loose forms at playgrounds and other sports facilities.This regulation is aiming to lower the human health risk for professional football players (including goalkeepers), children playing on the pitches and on playgrounds, as well as workers installing and maintaining the pitches and playgrounds. The proposal suggests a combined concentration limit for the eight PAHs of 17 mg/kg (0.0017 % by weight). ...