The Biocidal Products Regulation Group (BPRS) is set to launch a new enforcement project (BEF-3) in January 2025.

On November 20, 2024, the European Union published Commission Regulation 2024/2865 (REGULATION (EU) 2024/2865 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL) in its Official Journal, amending the EU CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labeling, and packaging of substances and mixtures). The amendment regulation takes effect on December 10, 2024, with most provisions becoming mandatory from July 1, 2026 (18 months), and the remaining provisions applicable from January 1, 2027 (24 months).

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.

The European Commission has announced its intention to withdraw approval for the use of ethylene oxide as a surface disinfectant in biocidal products, citing that the chemical's applications do not align with the scope of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). This decision is set to impact the regulatory status of ethylene oxide under the EU's stringent health and environmental standards.

On November 20, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) together with authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, released a detailed report outlining the latest developments in restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. The report is based on over 5,600 pieces of scientific and technical feedbacks collected during the public consultation period in 2023, aiming to update and refine the management strategy for PFAS.

On October 2, 2024, the European Commission issued Regulation EU 2024/2576, approving the compound 2-methyl-4-oxo-3-(prop-2-ynyl)cyclopent-2-en-1-yl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate for use in Type 18 biocidal products under EU Regulation No. 528/2012.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released the Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria on its official website on November 13, 2024. Unlike the single document versions released from 2009 to 2024, the new guidance is split into five separate document, covering overview, general principles for classification and labeling, physical hazards, health hazards, environmental hazards and other hazards.

November 7, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially announced the 32nd batch of 1 substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 242.

The Global Chemical Inventory Search (GCIS) developed by CIRS Group supports users to search the latest inventory of chemicals globally by entering CAS number or substance name in both Chinese and English. It also provides obligation analysis for global chemical compliance. CIRS continuously monitors and updates to global chemical inventories regularly, trying to help users to know more details of compliance obligations of their substances.

In October 2024, the European Commission approved silver zinc zeolite (SZZ, CAS number: 130328-20-0) for use in biocides including disinfectants and preservatives for fibers, leather, rubber, and polymers. Compliance with specific regulations is mandatory. A transition period has been established to support industry adaptation