Substances that are Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT). These hazard classes were introduced to the EU CLP Regulation to address chemicals that remain in the environment and accumulate in organisms or water supplies.
Foresight tracks PBT and PMT Substances developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
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Last updated
25 May 2026, 15:34
Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.
EU ECHA Updates Regulatory Needs Assessments For 1-Methyl-4-Piperidinemethanol And IDHA-CuNa2
ECHA has updated its Assessment of Regulatory Needs list for 1-methyl-4-piperidinemethanol and the copper chelate IDHA-CuNa2, confirming no immediate EU-wide risk management for the former while signalling that EDTA-like metal chelates other than zinc chelates are candidates for future harmonised classification and possible restriction. Manufacturers and downstream users, especially fertiliser and formulation suppliers, should treat these assessments as early regulatory intent, monitor upcoming compliance checks and any CLH or restriction proposals, and begin evaluating substitution and portfolio risk where dependence on these chelating agents is high.
European UnionEU JRC Reviews Marine Strategy Framework Directive Articles 8–10 For Article 12 Assessment At MSCG 38
Building on its 2021 technical review of EU Member States’ 2018 reports under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has prepared internal Article 12 assessment material for the Marine Strategy Coordination Group, reviewing how Member States’ Articles 8, 9 and 10 reports and environmental targets collectively describe progress towards good environmental status in Europe’s seas. The analysis highlights both progress and persistent gaps in assessing contaminants, litter, underwater noise and other marine descriptors, signalling likely future pressure for more harmonised methods, SMART targets and comparable reporting that could tighten expectations around marine discharges and pollutant controls over future MSFD reporting cycles.
European UnionECHA Moves Methyl-1H-Benzotriazole CLH Dossier To Opinion Development Stage
ECHA has advanced the CLH dossier for methyl-1H-benzotriazole and its inorganic salts into the Opinion Development stage, following closure of the public consultation in May 2026. This signals a likely tightening of harmonised classification under CLP, so companies using this corrosion-inhibiting chemistry should prepare for possible new reproductive, acute toxicity, aquatic and PMT/vPvM-driven obligations on labelling, safety data sheets and risk management once a RAC opinion and ATP are adopted.
European UnionEU NGOs Comment On CLP Transfer ATP For EDC, PBT And vPvB Classifications
In April 2026, NGOs EEB and PAN Europe submitted comments on the EU CLP “transfer ATP” proposal to move existing endocrine disruptor and PBT/vPvB classifications for pesticides and biocides into Annex VI. They call for a shorter six-month transition period and for specific active substances to be (re)included, signalling stakeholder pressure to accelerate and broaden harmonised hazard communication under CLP, REACH, BPR and PPP.
European UnionJapan Cabinet Approves CSCL Enforcement Order Amendment Designating LC-PFCA, Chlorpyrifos and MCCP as Class I Substances
Japan has approved an amendment to the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) Enforcement Order to classify LC-PFCA and related substances, chlorpyrifos and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins as Class I specified chemical substances from late 2026. This will tighten import bans and handling rules for affected chemicals and products, meaning suppliers into Japan must identify PFAS and chlorinated paraffin uses in lubricants, wood preservatives and firefighting foams and plan substitution and compliance ahead of the November 2026 start date.
JapanECHA Adds CAS 143785-33-5 to PBT Assessment List
In May 2026 ECHA added CAS 143785-33-5 (EC 948-498-7) to its PBT assessment list, marking it as a PBT concern under development within substance evaluation. This signals heightened regulatory scrutiny under REACH and potential future risk-management action, so manufacturers and users should prioritise monitoring and consider early substitution or risk-reduction strategies.
European UnionUS Researchers Map Persistent and Mobile Organic Contaminants in Greater Boston Drinking and Surface Water
A May 2026 ACS Environmental Au study identifies nearly 200 persistent and mobile organic contaminants, including ultrashort-chain PFAS, in Greater Boston drinking and surface waters at nanogram-per-litre to low microgram-per-litre levels. These findings underscore the need for regulators and water utilities to expand PMOC monitoring beyond legacy PFAS, reassess treatment performance, and consider future standards for ultrashort PFAS and other mobile, data-poor disinfection byproducts.
United StatesPortugal Comments on CLP Transfer ATP Harmonised Classifications
Portugal has filed detailed comments on the EU draft CLP Annex VI ‘Transfer ATP’, seeking multiple corrections to harmonised classifications for tributyltin compounds, nonylphenols and their ethoxylates, HBCDD, PFHpA salts, difethialone, quinoxyfen, cholecalciferol and related entries. If adopted, these revisions could change PBT/vPvB and endocrine disruptor flags, concentration limits and mixture-classification rules under CLP, so companies using these substances should monitor the final ATP text and prepare for potential label and safety data sheet updates.
European UnionGermany Supports 18‑Month Transition Period for CLP Annex VI Transfer ATP
Germany’s chemicals authority has formally called for an 18‑month transition period in the upcoming CLP Annex VI “transfer” delegated act moving ED/PBT/vPvB listings from REACH, BPR and PPPR into CLP. If the Commission accepts this position, companies handling affected substances would gain extra time to adjust classifications, labelling and safety data sheets, easing implementation planning while final timelines still depend on the adopted text.
European Union
GermanySwedish Chemicals Agency Comments on CLP Annex VI Transfer ATPs for D5, D6 and RP-HP
In April 2026 the Swedish Chemicals Agency submitted comments on the EU’s CLP Annex VI transfer ATPs, supporting removal of certain PBT and ED ENV hazard classes from harmonised entries for D5, D6 and RP-HP where these classifications rely on impurities. This signals a regulatory focus on classifying the underlying impurity substances instead, while ensuring that mixtures containing D4 or 4-HPbl above harmonised concentration limits remain subject to hazard-based classification obligations.
European Union
SwedenFrance Sets Out Position on CLP Annex VI "Transfer" ATP Under Article 37(7)
On 15 April 2026, the French authorities set out a detailed position in favour of a broad CLP Annex VI “transfer” ATP under Article 37(7), including SVHC-based classifications and a relatively short 12–18 month transition period. If this approach is reflected in the final ATP, many candidate-list and evaluated substances are likely to receive harmonised EU classifications on an accelerated timetable, so companies using them should anticipate new Annex VI entries, ensure CAS/EC identifiers match the Candidate List, and plan earlier updates to classification, labelling, and safety data sheets.
European Union
FranceAustria (AT CA) Supports Inclusion of RP‑HP in CLP Annex VI (Transfer ATP)
Austria’s chemicals authority has formally backed including the SVHC reaction products RP‑HP in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation via the forthcoming Transfer ATP, arguing there is no legal basis to exclude it simply because its hazards are driven by the 4‑HPbl constituent. This strengthens the signal that ED/PBT/vPvB Candidate List substances like RP‑HP will move into harmonised CLP entries, foreshadowing future EU‑wide labelling and risk‑management obligations once the delegated act is adopted.
European Union
AustriaUS Ninth Circuit Remands EPA’s TSCA DecaBDE Waste and Recycling Rule Without Vacatur
In May 2026, the US Ninth Circuit ordered EPA to revisit its 2024 TSCA risk-management rule for decabromodiphenyl ether, finding the agency had not adequately justified leaving key waste, recycling, wastewater, and sewage-sludge pathways unregulated while keeping the rule in force. The decision increases the likelihood of additional TSCA controls on decaBDE-contaminated waste and effluents, so manufacturers and waste, recycling, wastewater, and biosolids operators should reassess their exposure points and prepare for strengthened disposal and recycling requirements.
United StatesECHA RAC CLH Working Group Prepares RAC-77 A-List For Harmonised Classification Of Nine Substances
In April 2026 ECHA’s RAC CLH working group agreed preliminary harmonised classification recommendations for nine substances, including trifluoroacetic acid, its inorganic salts, di(morpholin-4-yl) disulphide, N,N'-hexane-1,6-diylbis[2,2-dimethyl-3-(morpholin-4-yl)propan-1-imine], propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, l-carvone, spearmint oil, fenazaquin and resorcinol, to be taken forward to RAC-77 for adoption. If confirmed, these classifications would tighten labelling and risk management duties, introduce or confirm ED and PMT/vPvM concerns for key substances, and foreshadow CLP Annex VI updates that chemical manufacturers, agrochemical and fragrance suppliers, and downstream users need to anticipate in product portfolios, SDSs and supply-chain communication.
European UnionECHA Starts New REACH Testing Proposal Evaluation For 2,4,6‑Tri‑tert‑Butylphenol
ECHA has opened a new REACH testing proposal evaluation for 2,4,6‑tri‑tert‑butylphenol, adding an 'under assessment' entry to its dossier evaluation status table in May 2026. This signals renewed regulatory scrutiny of this PBT/SVHC substance, with potential for additional testing obligations and future risk-management actions affecting registrants and downstream users if new data trigger further measures.
European UnionECHA Ends Consultation on Draft REACH Annex XIV Recommendation for Bumetrizole
On 2 May 2026, ECHA closed its public consultation on a draft REACH Annex XIV recommendation to add Bumetrizole (UV‑326) to the Authorisation List. This moves the substance one step closer to possible authorisation requirements under REACH, signalling likely future pressure for substitution or authorisation applications by affected users.
European UnionEU Parliament ENVI Committee Debates Objection to Approval of Pydiflumetofen as Candidate for Substitution
In May 2026, the European Parliament’s environment committee debated an objection to the European Commission’s draft implementing regulation that would approve the fungicide pydiflumetofen as a candidate for substitution under the EU plant protection products framework, drawing heavily on EFSA’s latest risk assessment. The exchange highlights growing political and regulatory sensitivity around highly persistent CMR-class pesticides and signals that future approvals may face stricter scrutiny on groundwater, drinking-water and data gaps, with potential knock-on effects for crop protection strategies and product portfolios.
European UnionEU Council Presidency Sets Out Omnibus X Compromise on Pesticide MRLs and Biocidal Products
The EU Council Presidency has issued a steering note on the Omnibus X food and feed safety package setting out compromise amendments to tighten pesticide MRL rules for non-approved hazardous substances and to shift most biocidal active substance approvals to unlimited duration. If agreed, these changes would move EU import standards closer to a zero-tolerance approach for high-risk pesticides while reshaping biocides approval and renewal strategies, raising future compliance stakes for agri-food exporters, pesticide manufacturers, and biocides companies.
European UnionEU Draft REACH Annex XVII Restriction on Terphenyl, Hydrogenated (PHT)
The European Commission is consulting on a draft REACH Annex XVII restriction that would ban most uses of terphenyl, hydrogenated (PHT) above 0.1% in substances, mixtures and articles, with WTO comments due by 7 July 2026 and adoption targeted for late 2026. If adopted broadly as proposed, the measure will force substitution away from PHT except in tightly controlled industrial heat-transfer systems and defence uses, with a long transition for civilian aerospace, so companies should map PHT uses, assess reliance on derogations, and plan alternative chemistries and product redesign.
European UnionGermany – Greens Propose Measures to Prevent PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
In May 2026 the Green Party in the German Bundestag tabled motion 21/5761 calling for aggressive measures to prevent PFAS “forever chemicals”, especially TFA, from contaminating drinking water and groundwater via pesticides, PFAS‑treated paper, fluorinated gases and industrial discharges. If taken up by the government this would tighten national PFAS controls, strengthen market surveillance and polluter‑pays liability, and reinforce German pressure for an EU‑wide PFAS group restriction and additional fluorinated gas limits under REACH.
GermanyEuropean UnionThese are just a few of the most recent PBT and PMT Substances alerts. Foresight tracks every jurisdiction, every day — and surfaces only what affects your portfolio, with full citations and evidence.
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Definition
Substances that are Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or Persistent, Mobile and Toxic (PMT). These hazard classes were introduced to the EU CLP Regulation to address chemicals that remain in the environment and accumulate in organisms or water supplies.
Industry relevance
PBT and PMT Substances developments can change product scope, supplier expectations, market access, reporting duties, and risk ownership. Foresight tracks the signals early so teams can respond before obligations become urgent.
Foresight tracking
Foresight monitors official sources, extracts structured regulatory intelligence, and maps alerts to a customer's products, substances, markets, and priorities so teams see the relevant signal with source evidence for review.
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