Faced with increasingly scarce environmental resources, major international markets and brands are placing greater emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability, and local governments and relevant agencies are continuously introducing new regulations and policies.
Regarding the impact of hazardous substances on the environment and human health, experts have compiled the following information on recent environmental regulations in the European, American, and Oceanian markets. Manufacturers in the electronics and appliance supply chain are advised to monitor market regulatory developments, proactively assess, and plan response strategies.
EU REACH Annex XVII Restricting Lead in Polyvinyl Chloride Comes into Effect
Starting November 29, 2024, the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products with a lead content of 0.1% or more by weight will be prohibited. Certain applications, such as those containing recycled PVC, will have a longer transition period. Although the EU industry has voluntarily stopped using lead stabilizers in PVC, this new regulation will restrict the use of lead in imported products.
California Considers Listing N-Methyl-N-Formyl Hydrazide on Proposal 65
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is soliciting data on the carcinogenicity of N-methyl-N-formylhydrazide for review by the state's Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) to assess whether it should be listed on Proposal 65. Data collection will run from November 29, 2024, to January 10, 2025.
🔗提案。資料收集時間從 2024 年 11 月 29 日至 2025 年 1 月 10 日止。
OEHHA Collection Information
- cancer bioassays;
- Cancer epidemiological studies;
- Research related to the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the main characteristics of carcinogens;
- Studies of drug kinetics and effects on biochemical and physiological processes, including results in humans.
US announces TSCA risk assessment timeline for phthalates
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to complete its final risk assessment for five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIBP, DCHP) by December 2025.
The U.S. EPA will also release draft cross-phthalate technical support documents for human health benchmark dose analyses, cancer analyses, and cumulative risk analyses for BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIBP, DCHP, and DINP. Separately, the U.S. EPA expects to release final risk assessments for DIDP and DINP in the coming weeks.
Further reading美國毒性物質控制法案🔗
Three new chemical substances added to Australia's IChEMS register
On 2 December 2024, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published the Environmental Management of Industrial Chemicals (Register) Amendment Measure 2024 (Measure 2 of 2024) 2024, hereinafter referred to as the Amendment Measure.
The amendment lists hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) in Schedule 7 of the IChEMS register and prohibits the import, manufacture, use, and export of these chemicals. However, exclusions will be permitted for unintentional trace contamination (UTC), laboratory research or use as reference standards, disposal, and articles already in use before the effective date of the decision.
The amendment also lists two chemicals of low concern, lauryl sulfate and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, in Schedule 3, marking them as industrial chemicals that may be harmful to the environment. This change will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Sources:
S/News on Regulations
