The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has fully added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to its Substances of Very High Concern (ZZS) list. This action emphasizes the need for Dutch companies to significantly reduce PFAS use and emissions.

This article compiles the chemical regulation updates for November in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

The UA CLP will come into effect six months after its publication, on November 15 2024. Products that have been placed on the market before November 15, 2024, even if they do not comply with current technical regulations, can continue to maintain their status until November 14, 2025, which is a one-year transition period.

On November 11, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan jointly announced the implementation of new notification procedures for low volume and small volume new chemical substances starting in 2025.

On November 12, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to exempt the compound (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HCFO-1224yd(Z), CAS number 111512-60-8) from being classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) due to its minimal impact on tropospheric ozone formation. Public comments are welcome via https://www.regulations.gov/ until January 13, 2025.

The implementation of the Ukrainian REACH regulations marks an important step for Ukraine in aligning with EU chemical safety standards and also presents new compliance challenges for businesses. Companies need to closely monitor regulatory developments, take proactive measures, and ensure registration is completed within the specified timeframes to maintain trade activities in the Ukrainian market.

On November 15, 2024, Brazilian Chemical Management Law No. 15. 022 (also known as Brazil REACH) officially came into effect, marking a significant step forward in the field of chemical regulations in Brazil. According to the provisions of this regulation, manufacturers and importers must complete registration in a newly established registration system for non-exempt chemicals with an annual production or import volume exceeding one ton, with the aim to prioritize the identification and focus on chemicals, conduct risk assessments, and ultimately implement risk management measures.

Singapore will officially transition from the 4th revised edition of the UN GHS to the 7th Revised Edition on February 6, 2025. Authorities announced revisions to the "Singapore Standards on Hazard Communication for Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods," SS 586-2: 2022 and SS 586-3: 2022 revisions, on February 6, 2023. They provided a two-year transition period. SS 586-2 pertains to the implementation of GHS classification and labeling in Singapore, while SS 586-3 sets out some requirements for the preparation of SDSs.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) of Japan recently issued a joint notification, calling on relevant companies to provide hazard information on ethyl hydrogen sulphates for a comprehensive risk assessment. All information must be submitted by mail or in person to the METI by November 22, 2024.

The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in South Korea recently issued Announcement No. 56 of 2024, under the Act on Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances. This new regulation, titled Regulations on the Preparation and Provision of Hazard Information for Chemical Substances, mandates that all enterprises submit detailed supply chain information along with risk and hazard data for chemicals under the K-REACH framework.