Phthalates

Poland Trade Inspection Finds Excessive Heavy Metals and Phthalates in Consumer Products

Poland’s Trade Inspection has reported that 7% of 332 sampled batches of jewellery, PVC tablecloths, leather goods and textiles exceeded legal limits for cadmium, lead, phthalates and chromium(VI). This signals robust enforcement of REACH Annex XVII restrictions in the Polish consumer market, meaning brands and importers must tighten supply-chain controls and testing for chemical contaminants in accessories and home textiles.

25 May 2026, 17:09uokik.gov.plPoland

New York Senate Advances Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S01464A) to Third Reading

The New York Senate has advanced the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S01464A) to third reading, moving a far-reaching packaging extended producer responsibility bill for packaging and single-use plastics closer to passage. If enacted, large producers of packaged goods would need to register with a state-approved organisation, finance recycling infrastructure, cut packaging use, increase reuse and recycled content, and phase out PFAS and other toxic substances from packaging over the coming decade.

24 May 2026, 21:23nysenate.govUnited States

Illinois Senate Sets Third Reading for Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act (HB3409)

In May 2026, the Illinois Senate scheduled third reading of HB3409 (Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act), a bill that would ban specified hazardous ingredients, including certain PFAS, from cosmetics sold in the state from July 2028. If enacted, this would significantly tighten ingredient restrictions for cosmetics brands and retailers in Illinois, requiring portfolio review, reformulation, and supply chain screening well ahead of the 2028 effective date.

20 May 2026, 10:02ilga.govUnited States

Missouri House Refers HB 3357 on DEHP in IV Containers and Tubing to Emerging Issues Committee

Missouri lawmakers are advancing HB 3357, a bill to phase out DEHP in intravenous solution containers and tubing, with the measure now referred to the House Emerging Issues Committee following its February 2026 introduction. If enacted, the proposal would impose future deadlines for DEHP-free IV devices, cap residual DEHP content, and bar substitution with other ortho-phthalates, requiring medical device suppliers and healthcare providers to plan transitions and qualify for any limited compliance extensions.

19 May 2026, 21:30documents.house.mo.govUnited States

China SAMR Details 2026 Enforcement Priorities for Key Industrial Product Quality and Online Sales

In May 2026 China’s market regulator detailed new licensing rules, online-sales controls and inspection campaigns to tighten quality and safety supervision of key industrial products. These moves signal tougher oversight of low-priced and children’s goods, especially those sold via major e-commerce platforms, increasing enforcement and compliance risk for manufacturers, importers and retailers supplying the Chinese market.

18 May 2026, 17:51samr.gov.cnChina

Austria (AGES) Recalls TEDi "Rucksack Mit Inhalt" Backpack Over DEHP Plasticiser Levels

On 15 May 2026 TEDi, via Austria’s AGES, announced a voluntary recall of its “Rucksack mit Inhalt” backpack after tests found elevated levels of the plasticiser DEHP. This recall underscores ongoing compliance and reputational risk from phthalate plasticisers in low-cost children’s articles, reinforcing the need for stronger supplier controls, product testing and portfolio checks for similar items.

18 May 2026, 13:23ages.atAustria

ECHA Publishes CLH Consultation Comments And Attachments For Dibutyl Phthalate

On 13 April 2026, ECHA updated its CLH registry to publish the compiled public consultation comments and attachments for the harmonised classification proposal on Dibutyl phthalate under the CLP Regulation. This signals that the consultation phase has closed and the dossier is moving into scientific review, giving companies that manufacture, use or rely on Dibutyl phthalate’s classification an opportunity to review stakeholder input and anticipate potential changes to future EU labelling obligations.

15 May 2026, 18:33echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Illinois HB3409 Senate Amendment Sets 1 July 2028 Effective Date for Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act

Illinois lawmakers are advancing HB3409, a cosmetics chemicals bill whose new Senate amendment would make any future ban on specified PFAS and other hazardous ingredients effective from 1 July 2028 rather than immediately. If enacted, this long lead time would still require cosmetics brands and suppliers in Illinois to plan portfolio reviews, reformulations, and PFAS phase-outs well ahead of 2028 to avoid market access and compliance risks.

15 May 2026, 09:42ilga.govUnited States

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

Sweden KEMI Reports One Third of Inspected Home Electronics Contain Banned Substances

In May 2026 Sweden’s Chemicals Agency published enforcement results showing that about 30 percent of 209 low-cost home electronics products inspected in 2025 contained banned substances such as lead, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and the phthalates DEHP and DBP. The findings highlight persistent compliance gaps under RoHS, REACH and POPs, signalling that importers and distributors must strengthen supplier controls, testing and documentation rather than relying on CE marking to avoid enforcement risk.

12 May 2026, 15:40kemi.seSweden

Texas Attorney General Sues Shein Over PFAS, Lead And Phthalates In Clothing

In February 2026, the Texas Attorney General sued Shein under the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, alleging that certain clothing, accessories and toys sold into Texas contained PFAS, phthalates, lead and other toxic chemicals at levels far above safety limits and that the company misled consumers about both product safety and data-sharing with Chinese authorities. This case signals that US state attorneys general are prepared to use broad consumer-protection statutes and third-party lab testing to police chemical content and data practices in fast-fashion supply chains, raising enforcement risk for global brands that rely on low-cost manufacturing and online direct-to-consumer sales.

11 May 2026, 11:58texasattorneygeneral.govUnited 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

Croatia Issues Safety Gate Alerts for TEDi Labubu Plush Toys and Children’s Backpack

In early May 2026 Croatia’s State Inspectorate issued two Safety Gate alerts recalling TEDi-sold Labubu plush monster toys and a children’s backpack with stationery because they contain excessive levels of the plasticisers DEHP and DBP. These enforcement actions highlight intensified scrutiny of phthalate content in low-cost children’s articles, signalling that retailers and importers must strengthen material controls and testing for toys and similar products.

9 May 2026, 13:21dirh.gov.hrCroatia

New York Senate Bill S1464A Sent to Finance Committee — Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

In May 2026, New York’s Senate advanced amended Bill S1464A, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, by reporting it from committee and sending it to the Finance Committee. If enacted, the bill would create a far-reaching extended producer responsibility regime for packaging, forcing larger producers to register, fund statewide recycling infrastructure, cut packaging volumes, and eliminate PFAS and other toxics from packaging sold into New York.

8 May 2026, 06:56nysenate.govUnited States

Illinois HB3409 Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act Moves to Senate Second Reading

Illinois lawmakers are advancing HB3409, the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act, which would ban specified phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, mercury, certain parabens, and defined PFAS from intentionally added use in cosmetic products sold in the state, with only trace-contamination exemptions. If enacted, this would materially tighten cosmetic formulation constraints for products sold into Illinois and further align US state-level requirements with EU cosmetics ingredient bans, increasing pressure on brands to standardise safer global formulations.

5 May 2026, 14:12ilga.govUnited States

Massachusetts Bill H5382 Proposes DEHP Restrictions in Intravenous Medical Devices

Massachusetts has introduced House Bill H5382 as a new draft of its toxic-free medical devices proposal, setting phased bans on DEHP in intravenous solution containers from 2030 and IV tubing from 2035, with a 0.1% limit on residual DEHP and a prohibition on substitution with other listed ortho-phthalates. If enacted, manufacturers of IV bags and tubing and healthcare providers operating in Massachusetts will need to redesign products away from DEHP and related phthalates, align procurement to compliant devices, and manage long lead times and notification requirements ahead of the statutory deadlines.

3 May 2026, 14:38malegislature.govUnited States

New York Senate Bill S01464A Amended: Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

In April 2026 New York lawmakers amended and recommitted Senate Bill S01464A, which would create an extended producer responsibility regime for packaging and phase in ambitious reduction, reuse, recycling, and recycled-content targets alongside bans on PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, heavy metals, and other toxics in packaging. If enacted, this law would impose new registration, reporting, and fee obligations on companies placing packaged products on the New York market and drive substantial redesign of packaging materials and supply chains over the next decade.

1 May 2026, 13:17assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

New York Senate Amends Packaging Reduction And Recycling Infrastructure Act Bill (S01464A)

New York has amended and reprinted its Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act bill (S01464A), reviving a comprehensive packaging extended producer responsibility proposal with long-term reduction, reuse, recycling and toxics-ban obligations for producers. If enacted, global brands selling into New York would face significant packaging redesign, substitution away from PFAS and other listed substances, new producer-organisation fees, and a multi-decade compliance roadmap beginning in 2032, so companies should closely track further legislative movement and plan scenarios now.

1 May 2026, 13:14assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Minnesota House Introduces HF 5080 To Ban Ortho-Phthalates In Packaged Food

In April 2026, Minnesota lawmakers introduced House File 5080 to ban the intentional use of ortho-phthalates in packaged food, with enforcement assigned to the state pollution control agency. If enacted, food and packaging suppliers serving the Minnesota market would face a zero-tolerance standard for intentionally added ortho-phthalates in food packaging, driving reformulation, tighter material traceability, and supply-chain segregation for compliant packaging.

1 May 2026, 13:04revisor.mn.govUnited States

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