Silica

Eurocolour Opposes EU STOT RE 1 Classification for Synthetic Amorphous Silica

Eurocolour has issued an April 2026 position paper strongly challenging the EU’s planned STOT RE 1 classification of synthetic amorphous silica under CLP, arguing the RAC opinion rests on weak science and misinterprets particle effects. If regulators maintain this classification and embed it in REACH general risk assessment, companies using silica in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other applications could face far‑reaching restrictions, so it is strategically important to track whether CLP classification or an alternative PSLT/OEL approach ultimately prevails.

20 May 2026, 06:48echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Expert Review Challenges ECHA RAC STOT RE 1 Proposal for Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS)

An independent toxicology review challenges ECHA’s March 2025 RAC opinion proposing a STOT RE 1 inhalation classification for synthetic amorphous silica, arguing that it conflicts with CLP’s intrinsic-property criteria and recent EU case law on titanium dioxide. If regulators revisit the dossier or pivot towards harmonised occupational exposure limits instead, SAS producers and downstream users could face a materially different balance between hazard labelling, workplace controls, and long-term use viability in EU markets.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Italy: INAIL and CNA Sign Three-Year Protocol on Workplace Safety for Artisans and Small Businesses

Italy’s INAIL and CNA have signed a three-year cooperation protocol to develop guidance, monitoring campaigns and climate-resilient protective equipment addressing hardwood dust and respirable crystalline silica risks in artisans and small businesses. While it does not itself create new legal duties, the programme signals heightened attention to carcinogenic exposures under Italy’s workplace safety law and EU carcinogens rules, and may shape future guidance, incentives and enforcement priorities for small operators.

15 May 2026, 15:05inail.itItaly

HSE Issues Engineered Stone Silica Guidance and Launches Inspection Crackdown

In May 2026 the UK Health and Safety Executive issued its first COSHH guidance on engineered stone, declaring dry cutting unacceptable and tying compliance to specific controls plus a nationwide inspection programme. This creates immediate enforcement and liability risk for engineered stone fabricators and suppliers in Great Britain, making rapid adoption of wet-cutting, low-silica materials, RPE and health surveillance a near-term priority.

12 May 2026, 15:08press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

GB CLP Agency Issues Article 37 Technical Report on Synthetic Amorphous Silica (CAS 112945-52-5; 112926-00-8)

In April 2026 the UK Health and Safety Executive issued an Article 37 technical report declining, for now, to adopt ECHA’s proposed STOT RE 1 classification for synthetic amorphous silica under Great Britain’s CLP regime. This signals a targeted Article 37A mandatory classification proposal to come, so GB users and producers of synthetic amorphous silica should anticipate a possible GB-specific classification outcome and plan for potential future changes to labelling and risk management.

11 May 2026, 07:56hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US OSHA Requests Comment on Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards Information Collection

OSHA has asked OMB to approve and is seeking public comment on the information collection requirements tied to its existing respirable crystalline silica standards for general industry, maritime and construction, with comments due by 8 June 2026. This review does not change current exposure limits but gives employers a short window to influence future reporting and recordkeeping burdens under the silica standards and to ensure the estimated compliance costs reflect real workplace experience.

8 May 2026, 10:59federalregister.govUnited States

US MSHA Sends Revised Respirable Silica Rule to White House for OMB Review

In May 2026, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration sent a proposed revision of its respirable crystalline silica rule for miners to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. This indicates that changes to silica exposure limits and respiratory protection requirements for coal and metal/non-metal mines are advancing again, so operators should anticipate renewed rulemaking and prepare to revisit monitoring, engineering controls, and dust-control programmes once a revised proposal is published.

8 May 2026, 07:00reginfo.govUnited States

EU CARACAL Uploads SMEunited Comments on Harmonised Classification of Synthetic Amorphous Silica

In late April 2026 the European Commission’s CARACAL group uploaded SMEunited’s comments on the proposed harmonised classification of synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) under the CLP Regulation. This shows active SME stakeholder engagement in a sensitive SAS classification process, so companies using SAS should review the CARACAL file and track how it may shape upcoming CLP decisions and compliance obligations.

5 May 2026, 07:23circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

EU CARACAL Uploads Member State Comments on CLP 25th ATP Proposals for Silica and D5/D6

Member State competent authorities have uploaded new CARACAL comment documents on draft CLP 25th Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) entries for silica and substances labelled D5 and D6 in late April 2026. This signals that these substances remain under active scrutiny for future harmonised classification changes under EU CLP, and companies relying on them should monitor forthcoming 25th ATP proposals and decisions.

5 May 2026, 07:23circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

CJEU Advocate General Opinion on CLP Harmonised Classification of Silanamine (C‑121/25 P)

In April 2026 the CJEU’s Advocate General issued a detailed opinion in Evonik’s appeal on the CLP harmonised classification of nanosilica silanamine, broadly rejecting procedural and scientific challenges to the EU’s approach. This strongly signals that the existing STOT RE Category 2 classification and related labelling duties under CLP will remain in place, so manufacturers and downstream users should plan on continued compliance rather than relief from the current harmonised entry.

5 May 2026, 06:51eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US CDC/NIOSH 30-Day PRA Notice on X-Ray Classification Data Collection for Metal and Nonmetal Miners

CDC/NIOSH has opened a 30-day OMB review for a new information collection to capture de-identified chest X-ray classifications for metal and nonmetal miners under MSHA’s respirable crystalline silica rule. Once approved, this REDCap-based system will operationalize silica medical-surveillance reporting, so MNM mine operators and their contracted clinics must be ready to transmit X-ray results to NIOSH within 30 days of examinations to remain compliant.

1 May 2026, 12:51federalregister.govUnited States

Worktop Fabrication Federation Launches Silica Safety Quality Mark Backed by PWS

An industry body in the kitchen and bathroom worktop sector has introduced a voluntary Worktop Fabrication Federation Quality Mark, now backed by fabricator PWS, to tighten silica dust controls and independent hygiene assessments in stone worktop fabrication. Although not a legal requirement, this accreditation could quickly become a de facto benchmark for safe specification and procurement, raising expectations on silica risk management across the worktop supply chain.

28 Apr 2026, 17:42kbbreview.comUnited Kingdom

NSW Work Health And Safety Regulation 2017 Clause 529CC (Silica Risk Control Plan) Repealed

New South Wales has repealed clause 529CC of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, which previously set specific duties for silica risk control plans in high-risk crystalline silica processing, as part of the transition to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. PCBUs relying on older silica procedures should confirm their risk control plans, worker information, and training align with the current WHS Regulation 2025 framework rather than the repealed 2017 provision.

28 Apr 2026, 11:47legislation.nsw.gov.auAustralia

India Supreme Court Orders Oversight of Silicosis‑Prone Industries and Compensation for Informal Workers

In August 2024, India’s Supreme Court ordered national monitoring of silicosis-prone industries, empowered closure of non-compliant units, and mandated compensation oversight for informal workers’ families, as highlighted by new investigative reporting on ongoing enforcement and funding gaps. This raises the compliance and litigation stakes for mining, stone-crushing, and construction operators in India, who now face closer scrutiny of silica dust controls, worker surveillance, and use of dedicated social protection funds.

21 Apr 2026, 17:08frontline.thehindu.comIndia

US Review Analyses Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure and MSHA Dust Rule in Metal and Nonmetal Mines

A 2025 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials shows that respirable crystalline silica exposure in US metal and nonmetal mines frequently exceeds the new MSHA action level and permissible exposure limit, despite the agency’s updated dust rule. This reinforces that mine operators may need to accelerate exposure monitoring, dust controls, and worker health surveillance to meet tighter expectations and avoid future enforcement or liability around silica-related disease.

19 Apr 2026, 14:33doi.orgUnited States

West Virginia Amends Statute of Limitations for Asbestos and Silica Litigation (SB 1008)

West Virginia has enacted SB 1008, immediately amending its Asbestos and Silica Claims Priorities Act to clarify when limitation periods begin to run and to codify separate claims for non-malignant disease and later cancers. This narrows and structures asbestos and silica litigation exposure in the state—especially for underground mining equipment manufacturers—shaping long-tail liability strategy, evidence retention, and risk management for employers and suppliers.

15 Apr 2026, 13:23wvlegislature.govUnited States

US MSHA Delays Effective Date of Silica Rule Conforming Amendments for Metal and Nonmetal Mines

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration has indefinitely suspended the implementation of new silica exposure standards following a federal court stay. Operators must continue adhering to existing exposure limits while pausing transition plans until judicial reviews clarify the future regulatory landscape.

9 Apr 2026, 09:53govinfo.govUnited States

US MSHA Delays Effective Date of Respirable Crystalline Silica Conforming Amendments for Metal and Nonmetal Mines

The US MSHA has indefinitely delayed the implementation of conforming amendments to the 2024 respirable crystalline silica rule for metal and nonmetal mines. Operators must maintain compliance with existing exposure standards while the transition to stricter requirements remains paused pending the outcome of judicial review.

6 Apr 2026, 19:42govinfo.govUnited States

Great Britain Adopts SI 2026/378 Updating Pneumoconiosis Workers’ Compensation Lump-Sum Payments

Great Britain has increased lump-sum compensation rates for workers suffering from dust-related occupational diseases, effective April 1, 2026. This adjustment reflects rising industrial disease liabilities and reinforces the financial risks associated with historical and ongoing exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos and silica.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Galicia Issga 2026 Plan Expands Workplace Safety Campaigns and Highlights Nanomaterials Risk Portal

Galicia has initiated its 2026 occupational health and safety plan, significantly increasing workplace inspections and prevention campaigns across industrial sectors. Companies should anticipate heightened enforcement regarding hazardous substances and utilize new technical resources to manage emerging risks from nanomaterials.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26xunta.galSpain