Non-food legislation – September 2025

Hazardous substances – research, rules and regulations
EU: SGS reports that the EU has issued (EU) 2025/1222 revising the CLP Regulation. SGS also reports that the EU has issued (EU) 2025/1731 revising Annex XVII of REACH.
ECHA has published a note (92 kB) on the timeline for PFAS restriction evaluation, following the publication of the updated restriction proposal in August 2025.
Legal challenge to ECHA’s identification of melamine as SVHC under REACH has been rejected (108 kB) by the EU Court of Justice.
SGS reports that ECHA has launched a consultation on the listing of three chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHCs). If approved, the number of SVHCs on the Candidate List will expand from 250 entries to 253 entries.
On 30 June 2025, an amendment (558 kB) to the Rolling List of the REACH restrictions roadmap was published. It prioritises group restrictions for the most harmful substances.
Switzerland: SGS reports that the government has published amendments (in French) to Annex 2 and Annex 3 of the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem), further aligning the regulations with the EU.
US: A study led by UC Davis shows that children aged 2 to 4 years in the US are routinely exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function. According to the authors, the study highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations.

Nicotine pouches and cannabis edibles
The US FDA is calling on nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging to protect children from exposure. Since 2022, the number of exposure cases reported to Poison Centers has steadily increased. Approximately 72% of the cases occurred in children under 5 years of age. A study led by Nationwide Children’s Hospital also shows a sharp increase (763%) in nicotine pouch ingestions among young children in the US between 2020 and 2023. According to the researchers, many nicotine products are flavoured and sold in colourful packaging that may be attractive to a young child.
Bright colours, fruit imagery, and labels like “locally made” or “vegan” might seem harmless — but when used on cannabis edibles, they can send misleading messages to teens. That’s according to a recent WSU-led study examining how adolescents perceive the packaging of cannabis-infused products such as gummies, chocolates and sodas. Despite regulations barring packaging that targets youth, many teens in the study found these products appealing.

Plastic and health hazards
A study led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory reveals an alarming number of mechanisms throughout the life-cycle of plastic that could enhance or spread antimicrobial resistance.
A report (14.7 MB) by WWF conducted in collaboration with the University of Birmingham highlights the potential health risks of micro- and nanoplastics. Micro- and nanoplastics are associated with a range of biological effects, including endocrine disruption and hormone-related cancers. A study by the University of Toledo examines the threat of tiny airborne plastics. As plastic waste ages, it starts to break down into smaller and smaller pieces and those nanoplastics are a worrying environmental and human health risk.
A new study with researchers from University of Gothenburg and Leipzig shows that recycled PE plastic can leach chemicals into water causing impacts in the hormone systems and lipid metabolism of zebrafish larvae.
 

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