Detergents

Netherlands RIVM Publishes Report on Obesogenic Substances in Cosmetics and Detergents

RIVM’s report 2025-0111 defines obesogenic chemicals and applies a new GC–MS method to measure 18 potential obesogens (bisphenols, phthalates, parabens, octocrylene, BHT, TPP, 4-nonylphenol and styrene) in cosmetics, a lubricating medical device and detergents, detecting 16 substances in real products and occasionally finding traces of prohibited phthalates and 4-nonylphenol.[^2^](https://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/2025-0111.pdf) By comparing obesity‑relevant effect levels with existing EU points of departure and mapping exposure across consumer products, food, dust and air, RIVM highlights seven priority obesogens — BPA, BPF, BPS, DEHP, MeP, TPP and 4NP — as candidates for further research that could inform future restrictions on cosmetic and detergent ingredients, especially where prenatal and early‑life exposures are concerned.[^2^](https://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/2025-0111.pdf)

14 May 2026, 06:14rivm.nlNetherlands

Argentina Incorporates Mercosur Technical Regulations on Domisanitary and Cosmetic Products

Argentina’s medicines and health products regulator ANMAT has adopted new 2026 dispositions incorporating Mercosur technical regulations on domisanitary (household cleaning and disinfectant) products and on restricted cosmetic ingredients, aligning national rules with Resolutions GMC 36/22 and 35/22. This will reset the legal baseline for home-care and personal-care formulations, tighten conditions for substances like zinc pyrithione and climbazole, and foreshadow coordinated entry into force across Mercosur once all States have transposed the measures.

11 May 2026, 11:40cda.org.arArgentina

China Adopts Mandatory Safety Standard GB 26396-2026 for Cleaning Products

China has adopted a mandatory national safety standard (GB 26396-2026) for cleaning products, replacing the previous voluntary specification and scheduled to take effect in May 2027. This upgrade tightens the regulatory baseline for soaps and detergents, requiring manufacturers and importers to review formulations, testing and documentation to ensure compliance ahead of entry into force.

11 May 2026, 11:40cosmetic.chemlinked.comChina

New Hampshire Senate Tables HB 1544 Scented Products Ban in State Buildings

In May 2026 the New Hampshire Senate tabled HB 1544, a bill that would require fragrance-free cleaning and personal-care products and ban fragrance-dispensing devices in public areas of state-owned or operated buildings. This pause in the bill’s progress removes any immediate compliance obligations but signals rising occupational health and indoor air-quality scrutiny of fragranced products used in government facilities and potentially by contracted service providers.

9 May 2026, 14:09gc.nh.govUnited States

EU Commission Proposes Implementing Regulation on Digital Product Passport Registry Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781

The European Commission has issued a draft implementing regulation setting out how the EU digital product passport registry will operate under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, including rules for registering passports, verifying operators, structuring data and securing the system across multiple product groups. Once adopted, these arrangements will determine how manufacturers, importers and other value-chain actors must build IT systems and governance to register and maintain digital product passports for products such as batteries, construction products, toys and detergents, with direct implications for compliance workflows and market access in the EU.

4 May 2026, 18:22eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Confirms 2029 Ban on Animal-Tested Detergents and Plans Chemical Testing Roadmap

The European Commission has confirmed that the revised EU Detergents and Surfactants Regulation will, from 23 September 2029, ban placing on the market detergents and surfactants that were tested on animals to meet its requirements, and will publish a roadmap in Q2 2026 to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments. This strengthens long-term expectations that REACH, the Biocidal Products Regulation and related frameworks will progressively remove animal testing, requiring companies to plan earlier for alternative data and non-animal safety assessment methods.

4 May 2026, 18:14europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

California DTSC Opens 15-Day Comment Period on Modified 1,4‑Dioxane Priority Product Listing for Manual Dish Detergents and Shampoo

In April 2026, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control issued a 15-day notice of modified text under its Safer Consumer Products Regulations for listing manual dish detergents and shampoos containing more than 1 ppm of 1,4-dioxane as Priority Products. This is a late-stage refinement of the hazard justification rather than a scope change, but affected consumer and personal care brands should monitor closely and prepare for potential notification and alternatives analysis obligations once the listing is finalised.

29 Apr 2026, 18:18dtsc.ca.govUnited States

China Initiates Revision of GB 38508-2020 VOC Limits for Cleaning Agents

China’s National Standardization Administration has launched a 2026 revision of GB 38508-2020, the mandatory standard limiting VOC content in cleaning agents. This signals likely tightening or clarification of VOC controls, so manufacturers and users of cleaning agents in China should anticipate potential formulation changes, retesting, and documentation updates as the draft and final standard emerge.

29 Apr 2026, 18:13chemical.chemlinked.comChina

India Suspends Linear Alkyl Benzene Quality Control Order From April To July 2026

In late March 2026 India temporarily suspended mandatory BIS quality control compliance for Linear Alkyl Benzene, pausing enforcement of the LAB Quality Control Order from 1 April to 1 July 2026 to address global supply constraints. The three-month suspension eases short-term pressure on detergent and cleaning product supply chains but signals that full LAB quality and certification requirements will return after July, so affected producers and importers should prepare for renewed compliance.

14 Apr 2026, 18:10bis.gov.inIndia

Denmark: Consumer Council Tænk Finds Harmful Chemicals in Dishwasher Detergents

In April 2026 the Danish Consumer Council Tænk published testing showing that several popular dishwasher detergents contain benzotriazole and other problematic chemicals, including a suspected carcinogen, while many eco-labelled, fragrance-free products avoid these substances. Although no recalls or regulatory action have followed yet, the findings increase pressure on detergent manufacturers to reformulate, reinforce the value of trusted ecolabels, and may accelerate tighter controls on persistent endocrine-disrupting ingredients in cleaning products.

13 Apr 2026, 20:15taenk.dkDenmark

Australia (AICIS) Opens Consultation On 11 Draft Industrial Chemical Evaluation Statements Until 28 May 2026

Australia has opened a public consultation on 11 draft evaluation statements covering 117 industrial chemicals, with a feedback deadline of May 28, 2026. Proposed variations to Inventory listings for substances like Retinol and 2-Pyrrolidinone signal potential new usage restrictions and reporting obligations for personal care and industrial manufacturers.

4 Apr 2026, 10:54industrialchemicals.gov.auAustralia

Japan Revokes Priority Evaluation Chemical Designations for Six Substances Under CSCL

Japan has revoked the priority evaluation chemical status for six substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law effective March 31, 2026. This administrative change reduces immediate reporting obligations and regulatory scrutiny, allowing companies to reallocate compliance resources away from these specific substances.

3 Apr 2026, 18:05kanpo.go.jpJapan

GB HSE Agency Opinion Proposes Repr. 1B GB MCL For Colemanite

The UK HSE has proposed a mandatory Repr. 1B reproductive toxin classification for colemanite to align Great Britain’s hazard standards with the EU. Impacted firms must prepare for mandatory relabeling and stricter workplace controls while anticipating future UK REACH restrictions on consumer use and SVHC listing.

3 Apr 2026, 18:01hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain HSE Proposes Carc. 1B GB MCL for EDTMP-CaNa (CAS 85480-89-3)

The UK HSE has proposed a mandatory Carc. 1B classification for EDTMP-CaNa, aligning Great Britain with EU standards for this widely used chemical. This change will trigger consumer use restrictions under UK REACH and require significant updates to safety data sheets and product labeling across multiple sectors.

3 Apr 2026, 18:00hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain: HSE Agency Opinion Proposes Carc. 1B GB MCL for EDTMP‑K

The UK HSE has proposed a mandatory Carc. 1B (May cause cancer) classification for the chelating agent EDTMP-K under GB CLP. Affected manufacturers must prepare for mandatory relabelling and SDS updates while anticipating potential downstream restrictions under UK REACH.

3 Apr 2026, 17:59hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain HSE Proposes Carc. 1B GB MCL for EDTMP-Na (CAS 22036-77-7)

The UK HSE has proposed a mandatory Carc. 1B classification for EDTMP-Na, aligning Great Britain with EU hazard standards for this widely used phosphonate. This development will trigger consumer use bans under UK REACH and necessitates immediate supply chain reviews for cleaning, cosmetic, and industrial formulations.

3 Apr 2026, 17:59hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain Issues Agency Opinion Proposing Repr. 1B GB MCL for 2‑Pyrrolidone

The UK Health and Safety Executive has proposed a mandatory classification for 2-pyrrolidone as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant to align Great Britain with EU standards. Impacted businesses must prepare for mandatory relabeling and safety data sheet updates while anticipating potential future restrictions on consumer use under UK REACH.

3 Apr 2026, 17:59hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Brazil Anvisa Prohibits Irregular Sanitising and Cosmetic Products and Suspends Fort Decap Lots

Brazil's health regulator has immediately prohibited multiple unregistered sanitizing and cosmetic products and suspended detergent batches for failing manufacturing standards. Companies must ensure rigorous registration verification and GMP compliance to mitigate risks of product seizure, market exclusion, and reputational damage in the Brazilian market.

1 Apr 2026, 14:18in.gov.brBrazil

Wales Bans Supply of Plastic Wet Wipes From 18 December 2026

Wales will ban the supply of plastic-containing wet wipes from December 2026, impacting a wide range of consumer and professional cleaning products. Businesses must accelerate product reformulation and manage divergent UK-wide compliance timelines to mitigate enforcement risks and maintain market access.

29 Mar 2026, 19:28legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Egypt Delays Entry Into Force of ES 4900 Household Synthetic Detergent Powder Standard to 19 September 2026

Egypt has extended the mandatory compliance deadline for the household synthetic detergent powder standard ES 4900/2025 until September 19, 2026. This extension provides a critical window for manufacturers to align product formulations and labeling with updated national requirements to ensure uninterrupted market access.

26 Mar 2026, 19:32track.pstmrk.itEgypt