Non-food legislation – January 2026

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations in the EU
The EC reports that the legislative package on ‘one substance, one assessment’ (OSOA) entered into force on 1 January 2026. The reform is part of the 2020 EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The new rules streamline the EU’s approach to the assessment of chemicals. In August 2025, five countries (Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden) submitted the updated restriction proposal for PFAS in Europe. ECHA recently published guidance (146 kB) for respondents of the consultation on the proposal that is planned for the spring. SGS reports that the EC opened three consultations in November 2025 on the listing of three substances under Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). ECHA recommends that the EC adds four substances, including melamine to the REACH Authorisation List. Once substances are added to the list, companies will need to apply for authorisation to continue using them. A report (971 kB) from the ECHA REACH enforcement project has found that one out of three substances in imported mixtures missed a REACH registration. ECHA (85 kB) has announced that 27 substances have been proposed for evaluation under the REACH Community rolling action plan (CoRAP) for the years 2026-2028. ECHA’s annual report (1.84 MB) on the trade of chemicals under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation shows a 97% decrease compared to 2023. The decrease is caused by a sharp drop in exports of substances containing benzene. The EP has requested EFSA to deliver a scientific opinion on the potential health risks posed by microplastics in food, water and air. The advice is expected to be published by the end of 2027.

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations outside the EU
Australia: The Senate Select Committee on PFAS, chaired by Senator Lidia Thorpe, has released its final report (4.5 MB) on the government’s approach to PFAS. The report makes forty-seven recommendations, including removing PFAS from all FCM packaging. NL: The House of Representatives has been informed about the progress in the PFAS dossier by means of a letter (in Dutch). Switzerland: SGS reports that the government has published amendments (in French) to the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem), further aligning the regulations with the EU. UK: The government is intending to extend the UK REACH registration deadlines by three years. The government has published the revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), setting out a roadmap including a plan to reduce risks from PFAS. US: EPA has announced its intention to regulate the uses of five phthalates. Minnesota: The MPCA has adopted regulations requiring manufacturers to pay a fee and report on certain PFAS-containing products sold in the state.

Medical devices and cosmetics
EU: The EC has published a proposal for a regulation to simplify the EU rules on medical devices. Q&A show that one of the key actions is increased digitalisation by extending the possibility to provide electronic instructions for use and allowing digital labelling of information.
US: The FDA has issued updated guidance on labelling and tamper-resistant requirements for cosmetic products.

Research
UFZ researchers have found that PFAS disrupt the functioning of the placenta – especially in the early phase of pregnancy, which is critical for the baby’s development. A study led by scientists at UC Riverside shows that a father’s exposure to microplastics can trigger metabolic dysfunctions in his offspring.
 

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