Non-food legislation – October 2024

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations
EU: The Council has adopted the proposal for a new CLP regulation, updating the existing EU legislation. The new regulation promotes the circularity of chemical products, makes labelling (including digital labelling) clearer and easier to read, and ensures a higher level of protection against chemical hazards. ECHA reports that the end of the transition period for poison centre notifications is approaching. This means that all notifications for hazardous mixtures placed on the EU market must be in the harmonised format according to Annex VIII of the CLP regulation from 1 January 2025.
Regulation 440/2008 lists the approved methods for testing chemicals under REACH. On 23 September 2024, Regulation 2024/2492 was published adding a number of new/updated methods. The nova-Institute reports on a paper calling for an urgent review of the EU’s current definition of “natural polymers” under REACH. The paper highlights a growing gap between scientific understanding and EU policy.
A report (454 kB) by ECHA shows that, under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation, the EU sent around 19,000 notifications for the export of hazardous chemicals during 2022-2023 to 150 non-EU importing countries. Under PIC, the EU has to provide these export notifications to the authorities of these countries. They contain information on where hazardous chemicals listed under PIC are exported, for what uses, and give information on their hazardous properties. This includes how to safely store, transport, use and dispose of them.
Canada: In October 2024, the government opened a consultation on a proposed Plan of Priorities for the assessment of substances. This is the next step in implementing the modernised Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

Stricter rules for storing fireworks in the Netherlands
The government (in Dutch) reports that there will be stricter rules for the storage of fireworks in the Netherlands. Because only fireworks of the lowest hazard class may be transported stored in the Netherlands, some fireworks of a higher hazard class are fitted with special gauze packaging. Investigation by ILT has shown that this packing does not function properly. This gauze packaging will therefore no longer be allowed.

US: California bans DEHP in IV bags and IV tubing
SGS reports that the governor of California has signed AB 2300 (Chapter 562) into law, prohibiting DEHP in intravenous solution containers (IV bags) and IV tubing.

Research on PFAS and plastics
The RIVM (in Dutch) has completed first phase of the PFAS research programme (in Dutch) with the publication of a report (in Dutch with an English summary, 3.26 MB). The report compiles existing information on the sources and extent of exposure in the Netherlands and identifies areas where further research is needed. Research led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC shows that higher levels of four types of PFAS in the blood are linked with poor sleep among young adults. The study (2.39 MB) is published in Environmental Advances. York University researchers have developed a new technique to measure previously undetected airborne PFAS. ETH Zurich researchers have developed a new way to break down PFOS, a subgroup of PFAS. They are using a technology known as “piezocatalysis” to break down PFOS in water with the help of nanoparticles and ultrasound.
A Minderoo Foundation study reveals alarming human health risks from exposure to chemicals in household plastics and a University of Cincinnati study reveals the adverse impact of phenols on the heart’s electrical properties.

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