Asbestos

Netherlands: Gelderland District Court Orders SVB To Reassess TSB Asbestos Lung Cancer Claim

In April 2026 the Gelderland District Court issued an interim ruling requiring the Dutch Social Insurance Bank to correct the inadequate reasoning behind a rejected asbestos-related lung cancer compensation claim under the TSB scheme, including how Protocol 2025 and the SYN-JEM exposure model were applied. This challenges the automatic use of SYN-JEM correction factors and signals that Dutch authorities must more carefully justify exposure calculations in TSB occupational disease cases, with potential implications for similar asbestos claims.

16 May 2026, 14:49uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

OPSS Publishes Guidance on Asbestos in Consumer Products

In May 2026, the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards issued new guidance for consumers, businesses and schools on recalling, testing and safely disposing of asbestos-contaminated sand-based consumer products. The guidance clarifies recall expectations, waste handling responsibilities and testing methods, and will inform recall planning, product testing strategies and waste contracts for retailers, importers and manufacturers handling sand-containing consumer products.

14 May 2026, 19:37gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan Pollution Health Damage Compensation Review Board Dismisses Six Appeals Under Pollution And Asbestos Health Damage Laws

In April 2026 Japan’s Pollution Health Damage Compensation Review Board dismissed six appeals under the pollution health damage and asbestos health damage relief laws, with the Ministry of the Environment publishing the outcomes in May. The rulings reinforce existing compensation criteria for Minamata disease and asbestos-related cases, signalling continued case-by-case scrutiny rather than expanded liability but underscoring ongoing exposure-related litigation risk in Japan.

14 May 2026, 12:26env.go.jpJapan

Spain: Galicia Advances Asbestos Removal Safety: Issga Reports 2,550 Work Plans (2022–2025)

In May 2026 the Xunta de Galicia’s occupational safety institute (Issga) reported that 2,550 asbestos-removal work plans approved between 2022 and 2025 oversaw more than 10,600 individual removal tasks across the region. This update signals sustained enforcement attention and on-site checking of asbestos work in Galicia, raising compliance expectations for companies involved in demolition, refurbishment, and other asbestos-removal projects.

13 May 2026, 19:03xunta.galSpain

UK OPSS Expands Recall of HGL Stretchy Sand Pig Toy Over Asbestos Risk

In April 2026 UK product safety regulators recalled the HGL Stretchy Sand Pig Toy after finding that the sand filling may be contaminated with asbestos, and in May 2026 they expanded the notice to include retailer Fenwick. This enforcement action signals heightened scrutiny of asbestos risks in consumer toys and requires manufacturers, importers, and retailers to identify any affected stock, coordinate recalls, and review controls on restricted substances in similar products.

12 May 2026, 15:09gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK OPSS Adds Fenwick And Miniso To Scrunchems Stretchies Sleepy Dino Toy Asbestos Recall

The UK product safety regulator has updated its asbestos-related recall of the Scrunchems Stretchies Sleepy Dino toy to include additional retailers Fenwick and Miniso as of 11 May 2026. This broadens the distribution trace for affected stock and underscores the need for toy manufacturers, importers and retailers to identify this SKU, stop sale, and ensure all non-compliant toys breaching Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 are removed from the UK market.

12 May 2026, 15:08gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK OPSS Recalls Stretchy Gorilla Toys Sold by Home Bargains Over Asbestos Risk

The UK product safety regulator has ordered a recall and market withdrawal of Stretchy Gorilla Toys sold by Home Bargains after finding asbestos contamination in the sand filling, with the toys failing to meet national toy safety regulations. This escalation underscores strict zero-tolerance for asbestos in consumer products and signals that retailers and importers of novelty sand-filled toys must tighten supply chain controls and be ready for rapid withdrawal actions.

12 May 2026, 12:53gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Connecticut Legislature Passes HB 5518 on Environmental Health, Drinking Water and Asbestos Abatement

In May 2026, the Connecticut legislature passed HB 5518, an omnibus Department of Public Health bill tightening bottled water PFAS monitoring, environmental laboratory oversight, property-owner notification duties and asbestos abatement rules, with most provisions scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2026 if enacted. This measure will significantly raise compliance expectations for bottled water producers, environmental labs, landlords and asbestos contractors in Connecticut, requiring early planning around PFAS testing capacity, tenant communication, certification and training upgrades.

9 May 2026, 14:10cga.ct.govUnited States

Rechtbank Overijssel Declines To Suspend Asbestos Fines And Publication Decision

A Dutch court has refused to suspend €18,900 in asbestos-related labour-inspection fines and their publication, reinforcing strict enforcement of working-conditions rules in construction. Employers carrying out renovation or demolition work should expect close scrutiny of asbestos management, certification and risk assessments, along with reputational risk where serious violations are publicised.

9 May 2026, 13:37deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

UK OPSS Updates Recall Of Crayola Touchy Feely Craft Box To Include Sainsbury’s

UK product safety authorities have updated the recall of Hunter Price’s Crayola-branded Touchy Feely Craft Box to include Sainsbury’s, after confirming asbestos contamination risk in the sand component. This widens the affected retail channels and reinforces the need for brands and retailers to trace stock, follow Toys (Safety) Regulations requirements, and quickly remove any impacted craft kits from sale while advising consumers on safe disposal.

9 May 2026, 13:29gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK OPSS Adds Sainsbury’s to Recall of Asbestos-Contaminated Crayola Discovery Craft Box (2604-0197)

On 7 May 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards updated its recall of Hunter Price’s Crayola Discovery Craft Box, adding Sainsbury’s to the retailers withdrawing the product because the toy sand may contain asbestos. This highlights active UK enforcement of toy safety rules around banned substances, so manufacturers and retailers of children’s craft products should verify their supply chains and recall procedures for similar risks.

9 May 2026, 13:29gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Product Recall: Dunelm Novelty Doorstops (2603-0019)

UK product safety authorities have issued a product recall notice for multiple Dunelm novelty doorstops after asbestos contamination was detected in the sand filling, with products sold from January 2019 to February 2026 withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers. This enforcement action reinforces strict prohibitions on asbestos in consumer goods and signals that retailers and importers of sand-filled decorative products must maintain tight supplier controls and be ready for rapid corrective action if similar contamination issues arise.

9 May 2026, 13:23gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Friuli Venezia Giulia Announces 2027 Target To Complete Asbestos Mapping and Ongoing Remediation Funding

The Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government has confirmed a 2027 target to complete mapping of asbestos-containing sites and reported that substantial funding remains available for asbestos-removal grants in 2026. This programme-level update signals continued regulatory focus and public investment in asbestos risk management, so municipalities and building owners should expect sustained scrutiny and consider using the available contributions to accelerate remediation.

9 May 2026, 13:18regione.fvg.itItaly

UK OPSS Updates Guidance on Testing for Asbestos in Sand Products

In May 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards updated its technical guidance on testing for asbestos in sand-based consumer products, adding XRD screening, clarifying SEM‑EDX/TEM as preferred methods, and strengthening sampling guidance. The update tightens expectations for how importers and manufacturers demonstrate that sand-containing toys and decorative items are asbestos-free at low detection limits, so businesses should review their test strategies and lab capabilities accordingly.

8 May 2026, 09:03gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Connecticut Legislature Places Environmental Health Bill HB 5518 On Senate Calendar

In May 2026, Connecticut’s environmental health bill HB 5518 advanced to the Senate, proposing PFAS-based bottled water standards, tighter environmental laboratory certification, updated asbestos abatement controls, and revised crematory rules, with most provisions drafted to take effect from October 2026. If enacted, these changes would raise compliance expectations for bottled water producers, environmental testing laboratories, and asbestos contractors in Connecticut, requiring earlier planning for PFAS monitoring, accreditation, and workforce training.

7 May 2026, 05:44cga.ct.govUnited States

Connecticut House Passes HB 5518 on PFAS Bottled Water Testing and Asbestos Abatement

In early May 2026 the Connecticut House passed HB 5518, a Department of Public Health bill tightening bottled water PFAS testing, environmental laboratory rules, and asbestos abatement controls, and sent it to the Senate. If enacted, this will require Connecticut bottled water operators, property owners, environmental labs and asbestos contractors to prepare for stricter PFAS monitoring, tenant notifications, certification, and training requirements ahead of 2026–2027 compliance dates.

6 May 2026, 19:56cga.ct.govUnited States

Belgium Clarifies Temporary Regime for Asbestos Inventory Experts in Wallonia and Brussels

Since 22 December 2025, Belgium has tightened asbestos inventory rules under the Code on Well-Being at Work and, via a federal note highlighted by Wallonia, set a temporary regime allowing existing experts in Wallonia and Brussels to keep operating while regional qualification systems are developed. Employers in the affected regions should confirm their asbestos inventory providers meet the transitional competence and experience criteria, use the prescribed federal tools, and prepare for potential requalification once regional schemes replace the derogation.

5 May 2026, 14:07emploi.belgique.beBelgium

New Jersey Senate Bill S4125 Proposes Tax Deduction for Removal of Lead, Asbestos and Other Contaminants

New Jersey has introduced Senate Bill S4125 to allow a state gross income tax deduction for costs to remove lead, asbestos, sodium chloride and other contaminants from taxpayers' properties. If enacted, this would financially incentivise remediation of legacy contamination in buildings and land, affecting property owners, remediation contractors and demand for safer building materials and abatement services.

5 May 2026, 06:56njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

US EPA Seeks Comment on CERCLA Settlement for Goodrich Asbestos Superfund Site in Oklahoma

In April 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed an administrative ability-to-pay cashout settlement under CERCLA to recover $100,000 in response costs from an individual at the Goodrich Asbestos Superfund Site in Miami, Oklahoma. The settlement clarifies financial responsibility for past cleanup costs at this asbestos-contaminated site and signals continued, targeted CERCLA enforcement at legacy industrial facilities rather than new, broadly applicable regulatory requirements.

4 May 2026, 14:15federalregister.govUnited States

MCCAA Recall: Toi-Toys Pufferz Puffer Stretchable Sand Toy Due to Asbestos

In April 2026, Malta’s consumer authority ordered an immediate recall of Toi-Toys Pufferz Puffer stretchable sand toys after detecting asbestos in the sand filling. The action highlights rising scrutiny of toy supply chains and requires manufacturers, importers, and retailers to ensure similar products are free of asbestos contamination and promptly removed from sale if risks are identified.

4 May 2026, 09:20mccaa.org.mtMalta