Formaldehyde

Colorado AQCC Terminates PTAC-Related Revisions to Regulation Number 26

In April 2026 Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission terminated a planned rulemaking to add new state-only Priority Toxic Air Contaminant controls to Regulation Number 26, concluding the proposed revisions were no longer necessary. As a result, stationary sources will not face the additional benzene, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide and related PTAC control and reporting requirements contemplated in this docket, although they should continue planning around existing Colorado and federal air toxics programmes.

13 May 2026, 19:12sos.state.co.usUnited States

China Issues Revised Mandatory Standard GB 18586—2026 For Harmful Substances In Carpets And PVC Flooring

China’s market regulator has issued revised mandatory standard GB 18586—2026 tightening limits on harmful substances and TVOC emissions in carpets, carpet underlays and PVC flooring. Stricter emission and content thresholds for VOCs, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates and brominated flame retardants will force flooring suppliers to review formulations, testing and certification plans ahead of implementation.

11 May 2026, 11:34samr.gov.cnChina

EU REACH Formaldehyde Emission Limits for Articles and Road Vehicles Apply From August 2026

The EU has adopted a REACH Annex XVII restriction that sets binding formaldehyde emission limits for most articles from August 2026 and for road vehicles from August 2027. Manufacturers and importers of wood-based panels, furniture, other consumer goods and vehicles must verify emissions using prescribed test methods, redesign materials where needed, and clear non-compliant stock ahead of these cut-off dates to avoid market access and compliance risks.

3 May 2026, 07:24eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Answer on Formaldehyde OEL and Upcoming OEL Priority List

On 27 April 2026 the European Commission confirmed that EU law already sets a 0.3 ppm occupational exposure limit for formaldehyde and outlined the evidence-based process for prioritising further OEL updates. It signalled that its ACSH working party expects to deliver an updated list of priority chemicals for new or revised EU OELs by mid-2026, flagging where future worker-protection and compliance requirements are likely to tighten.

30 Apr 2026, 10:44europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

China Adopts GB 30981.2-2025 Limits Of Harmful Substances In Industrial Coatings

China has finalised national standard GB 30981.2-2025 on limits for harmful substances in industrial coatings, issued in May 2025 and coming into force in June 2026. This consolidates multiple existing coating-related standards and tightens VOC and hazardous constituent controls, so coating makers and downstream users must review formulations, labelling, and testing programmes before the 2026 implementation date.

30 Apr 2026, 06:47chinesestandard.netChina

Netherlands Plans New Sprayed PUR Foam Rules in Bbl and Omgevingsregeling, Confirms New Diisocyanate Limits

In April 2026 the Dutch housing minister outlined upcoming changes to the Building Decree (Bbl) and Omgevingsregeling for sprayed PUR foam and confirmed that new EU diisocyanate exposure limits took effect in the Netherlands on 9 April 2026. These measures will introduce binding MDA content and process requirements, stronger information and post‑work control duties for installers, and new guidance and health‑protocol updates, so insulation suppliers and building contractors should prepare for tighter supervision and worker‑exposure controls.

29 Apr 2026, 12:12open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Norway Consults on Biocidforskriften Amendments for EU Biocidal Active-Substance Decisions

Norway’s environment authorities are consulting on amendments to the Biocidforskriften to transpose recent and draft EU biocidal active-substance decisions, including approval of DBNPA and a future ban on one formaldehyde-releasing preservative in product-type 6. Biocidal product manufacturers and users should prepare for DBNPA authorisation submissions, the 9 April 2027 phase-out of the affected PT 6 products, and extended EU approval timelines for several copper compounds, glutaraldehyde and PHMB when planning portfolios, contracts, and investments.

28 Apr 2026, 19:23hss.miljodirektoratet.noNorwayEuropean Union

Colorado AQCC Adopts Controls for Five Priority Toxic Air Contaminants

In April 2026, Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission adopted binding emission-control rules for five priority toxic air contaminants—benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium compounds, and hydrogen sulfide—at key industrial facilities statewide. Refineries, sterilization plants, chrome platers, engines and turbines, and asphalt or manure-digester operations in Colorado now face tighter controls under the toxic air contaminants programme, making early review of emission inventories, control options, and permitting obligations under HB22-1244 critical.

26 Apr 2026, 16:23cdphe.colorado.govUnited States

EU BPR: ECHA BPC Starts Opinion Development on Formaldehyde-Releasing Paraformaldehyde/Benzyl Alcohol Active (PT06)

In mid-April 2026, ECHA advanced the EU BPR approval process for the biocidal active “formaldehyde released from the reaction products of paraformaldehyde and benzyl alcohol” (PT06) to the Biocidal Products Committee opinion-development stage while confirming its candidate-for-substitution status. This signals that a scientific opinion on approval and conditions of use is now being prepared, so product authorisation holders using this formaldehyde-releasing system should closely track the outcome and be ready for potential restrictions or non-approval.

21 Apr 2026, 16:04echa.europa.euEuropean Union

GB UK REACH Agency Publishes Technical Report on Formaldehyde in Indoor Air Environments

In March 2026 the GB UK REACH Agency (HSE), working with the UK Health Security Agency, published a technical report assessing formaldehyde exposure from indoor air in homes and other non‑occupational settings in Great Britain. The report shows that typical indoor formaldehyde levels often exceed health-based long-term guidelines and will inform future UK REACH decisions on whether tighter emission controls are needed for building materials, furnishings, and consumer products.

13 Apr 2026, 17:22hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

ECHA Marks Formaldehyde-Releasing Paraformaldehyde/Benzyl Alcohol Reaction Products as Candidate for Substitution Under BPR

ECHA has officially designated formaldehyde released from paraformaldehyde and benzyl alcohol reaction products as a candidate for substitution under the Biocidal Products Regulation. This status triggers mandatory comparative assessments during authorization, increasing the risk of market withdrawal and necessitating a strategic review of biocidal product portfolios.

10 Apr 2026, 12:48echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany (UBA) Publishes HBEFA 5.1 Report on Correction Factors, Non‑regulated Pollutants and Euro 7

Germany’s Environment Agency released updated road transport emission factors in April 2026 to integrate Euro 7 standards and previously non-regulated pollutants. This technical update signals a shift toward more granular emissions monitoring that will influence future vehicle type-approval assessments and corporate sustainability reporting.

6 Apr 2026, 16:43umweltbundesamt.deGermanyEuropean Union

Italy (INAIL) Publishes Guidance on Formaldehyde Exposure in Pathology Laboratories

Italy has issued new guidance on formaldehyde exposure, reinforcing strict occupational limits and the mandatory hierarchy of prevention. Businesses must prioritize substitution with safer alternatives and implement rigorous technical controls to ensure compliance with the now-fully-effective exposure limits.

4 Apr 2026, 10:28inail.itItaly

ECHA Adds New CLP Harmonised Classification Intentions and Proposals for Four Substances

ECHA has formally added four substances, including a PFAS and a biocidal active, to the registry for harmonised classification and labelling. Anticipated hazard classifications will necessitate label updates and could trigger automatic restrictions on these substances in consumer-facing product categories.

1 Apr 2026, 19:37echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Argentina ANMAT Incorporates Mercosur Cosmetic Substances List (Resolution 48/10) Into National Law

Argentina has formally incorporated the MERCOSUR Cosmetic Substances List into national law to align with regional standards. This procedural alignment solidifies the legal framework for future regional ingredient updates and ensures long-term consistency in cross-border compliance.

1 Apr 2026, 19:09boletinoficial.gob.arArgentina

Norway Consults on Amendments to Biocides Regulation to Implement New EU Active-Substance Decisions

Norway is aligning its Biocides Regulation with EU decisions, extending several substance approvals while setting a September 2026 phase-out for etofenprox. Companies must manage the withdrawal of etofenprox-treated articles and meet new 2027 authorization deadlines for formaldehyde-releasers to maintain Norwegian market access.

1 Apr 2026, 14:17hss.miljodirektoratet.noNorway

South Korea MFDS Amends Cosmetic Safety Standards Via Notification No. 2026-16

South Korea has updated its cosmetic safety standards effective March 2026 to reorganize ingredient classifications and modernize testing protocols for residual contaminants. Manufacturers must verify compliance for hair dyes and UV filters while adopting updated analytical methods to ensure product integrity and align with enhanced market surveillance.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29kcia.or.krSouth Korea

Japan CAA Updates Annex 1–21 Monomer Reference For Food-Contact Positive List

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency updated the Annex 1–21 monomer reference list for food-contact materials on March 26, 2026. Manufacturers should audit internal substance databases against this revised reference file to ensure accurate compliance reporting and alignment with the positive list for polymer base materials.

28 Mar 2026, 09:36caa.go.jpJapan

Netherlands Plans Temporary Subsidy Suspension for UF Insulation Foam Amid Formaldehyde Health Concerns

The Dutch government is suspending subsidies for urea-formaldehyde insulation foam and endorsing a pause in its use following health concerns over formaldehyde emissions. Companies should prepare for heightened indoor air quality enforcement and potential market access restrictions as authorities evaluate broader regulatory bans under REACH.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Plans Temporary Suspension of Subsidies for UF Insulating Foam and Explores Possible Restriction

The Dutch government is suspending subsidies for urea-formaldehyde insulation foam and exploring formal restrictions following health concerns over formaldehyde emissions. This move signals a likely phase-out of UF-based materials in the construction sector, necessitating an immediate shift toward alternative insulation technologies and stricter indoor air quality compliance.

26 Mar 2026, 19:23zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands