Phthalates

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

Finland Adopts Decree 148/2026 Updating RoHS Decree 419/2013 Annex I

Finland has adopted Decree 148/2026 updating Annex I of its RoHS Decree 419/2013, aligning national exemptions for lead, cadmium and mercury in electrical and electronic equipment with new EU RoHS delegated directives, with the changes taking effect from 1 July 2026. EEE manufacturers and importers placing products on the Finnish market should reassess any use of RoHS exemptions in lamps and specialised equipment, and adjust designs, component sourcing and documentation ahead of the 2026 entry-into-force to avoid reliance on lapsed derogations.

29 Apr 2026, 08:08eur-lex.europa.euFinland

EU ECHA Flags REACH Authorisation and Restriction Need for Trimellitate Plasticiser Tris(2-ethylhexyl) Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylate (TOTM)

ECHA’s assessment of regulatory needs for isophthalate, terephthalate and trimellitate plasticisers identifies the high-tonnage trimellitate TOTM (tris(2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylate) as requiring a combination of REACH restriction on article uses and eventual Annex XIV authorisation, now reflected on its ARN list entry updated in April 2026. This signals that widely used TOTM, often employed as a replacement for ortho-phthalates in polymers, articles and potentially food-contact uses, is likely to face tightening EU controls, so downstream users should start mapping uses, exposure routes and substitution options ahead of future CLH, SVHC and restriction proposals.

28 Apr 2026, 18:22echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Assessment of Regulatory Needs Recommends REACH Restriction and Authorisation for tris(mixed dodecyl and octyl)benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylate

In April 2026, ECHA updated its Assessment of Regulatory Needs to flag 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, mixed lauryl and octyl triesters (a high-tonnage trimellitate plasticiser) for a future combination of REACH restriction and authorisation. This non-binding assessment is a strong early warning for polymer and article supply chains to map uses, explore alternatives, and closely track forthcoming CLH, Candidate List, and restriction proposals affecting trimellitate plasticisers in the EU.

28 Apr 2026, 18:22echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Austria (AGES) Recalls TEDi Plush Toys Over DEHP/DBP Exceedance

In April 2026, Austria’s health agency AGES ordered a recall of TEDi-branded plush toys after tests found elevated levels of the phthalate plasticisers DEHP and DBP in a specific batch. This enforcement action underscores continued scrutiny of phthalate controls in children’s products, so retailers and suppliers should review testing regimes and supplier oversight for soft toy materials.

28 Apr 2026, 18:21ages.atAustria

Consumer Reports Study Finds Hazardous Chemicals in U.S. Box Hair Dyes

Consumer Reports testing of 23 box hair dyes and temporary hair chalks sold in the U.S. found methylene chloride and, in some cases, phthalates and heavy metals, highlighting continued use of hazardous substances in everyday cosmetics. These findings are being used by NGOs to pressure regulators, particularly in the EU as they debate "Chemicals Omnibus" changes, not to weaken or delay bans on cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics.

28 Apr 2026, 18:12article.images.consumerreports.orgUnited StatesEuropean Union

ECHA Publishes CLH Consultation Comments and Attachments for Diisooctyl Phthalate

ECHA has published the compiled comments report and consultation attachments for the CLH dossier on Diisooctyl phthalate, confirming that the proposal to classify it as Repr. 1B and an endocrine disruptor for human health and the environment remains under opinion development as of mid-April 2026. These documents give an early view of the regulatory concerns and arguments that may shape RAC’s opinion and, in turn, future labelling, risk management, and product portfolio decisions for C4–C6 phthalates in EU supply chains.

24 Apr 2026, 10:21echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Publishes CLH Consultation Attachments and Comments for 1,2‑Benzenedicarboxylic Acid Di‑C6‑8‑Branched Alkyl Esters (C7‑Rich)

ECHA has published consultation attachments and a compiled comments document for the ongoing harmonised classification review of 1,2‑benzenedicarboxylic acid, di‑C6‑8‑branched alkyl esters (C7‑rich) under the CLP Regulation. This increases transparency and signals continued regulatory scrutiny of this phthalate, but does not yet alter classification obligations while the RAC opinion and any CLP amendments are still pending.

24 Apr 2026, 10:21echa.europa.euEuropean Union

China SAMR Issues Indoor Fixed Fitness Equipment Safety Standards

China’s market regulator has approved a new mandatory national safety standard GB 47368-2026 and nine complementary recommended standards for indoor fixed fitness equipment, while also flagging the publication of the updated ISO/IEC 17020:2026 standard for inspection bodies. Together these moves raise future compliance expectations for gym equipment manufacturers and testing providers in China, tightening structural, electrical and hazardous-substance controls and signalling a stronger role for standards in product safety and quality governance.

24 Apr 2026, 08:43samr.gov.cnChina

Belgium (Wallonia) Launches Consultation On Emerging Pollutants In Walloon Soils

In April 2026 the Walloon Public Service launched a public consultation on draft recommendations for managing emerging pollutants in Walloon soils, covering PCBs, dioxins, phthalates, flame retardants, bisphenols and other persistent substance families. While non-binding for now, this consultation signals tighter future expectations for soil investigations under the 2018 Soil Decree and gives operators a short window to influence how these chemicals will be prioritised and assessed in Wallonia.

21 Apr 2026, 14:37environnement.wallonie.beBelgium