Substitution

EU Commission Adopts Implementing Decision Not Renewing Cypermethrin Approval for Biocidal Product-Type 8

In May 2026 the European Commission adopted an Implementing Decision, recorded as C(2026)2900, not to renew cypermethrin’s EU approval for biocidal product-type 8 under the Biocidal Products Regulation. Manufacturers and users of cypermethrin-based product-type 8 biocides should anticipate an EU-wide phase-out and start planning substitutions and market adjustments now, even though detailed withdrawal and use-by dates will only be confirmed once the Official Journal text is available.

25 May 2026, 15:41ec.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MCEE Consults On CO2 Utilisation Certification And Chemical-Reduction Product Criteria

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has opened consultations on a draft certification scheme for CO2 utilisation technologies and on selection criteria for “chemical-reduction” household and biocidal products, with comment periods running through early to mid June 2026. These initiatives would create new voluntary but strategically important labels and incentives that can shape how companies design, certify, and market low-carbon technologies and safer consumer chemical products for the Korean market.

23 May 2026, 08:56mcee.go.krSouth Korea

California DPR Awards Over $5 Million in Sustainable Pest Management Grants

On 20 May 2026, California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation awarded more than $5 million to eight projects to advance sustainable pest management and reduce reliance on conventional fumigants, rodenticides and herbicides. The grants reinforce California’s strategic push toward integrated, lower-toxicity pest control in agriculture and flag where regulators are focusing support for future pest management practices.

22 May 2026, 18:51cdpr.ca.govUnited States

Germany (BAuA) Assesses Substitutes for Oxime Uses in Paints, Varnishes and Sealants

Germany’s occupational safety institute has issued a detailed 2025 report evaluating alternatives to carcinogenic oxime antiskinning and curing agents in paints, varnishes and silicone sealants. While not legally binding, the findings show that oxime-free systems are technically feasible for most applications but involve performance trade-offs, signalling likely future regulatory pressure and helping manufacturers plan substitution and R&D priorities.

20 May 2026, 19:22baua.deGermany

Netherlands Responds to Scientific Assessment of EU Food and Feed Safety Omnibus Proposal

The Dutch government has issued a detailed 8 May 2026 response to Parliament’s scientific assessment of the EU Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal, backing a shift to risk-based re-evaluation of pesticides while demanding stronger safeguards on biocontrol, grace periods, and the proposed lex silencio positivo mechanism. This clarifies the Netherlands’ negotiating line in EU talks, signalling conditional support for simplification only if precaution, long-term protection of health and the environment, and national powers to act on emerging risks are fully preserved.

20 May 2026, 06:21zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

South Korea Amends K‑REACH Enforcement Decree on Data-Sharing Disputes and SME Support

In May 2026 South Korea promulgated a partial amendment to the K‑REACH Enforcement Decree, introducing new procedures for joint registration data-sharing disputes, data submission deferrals, and SME support to reduce highly hazardous chemical use. The changes tighten governance around registration data and foreign representatives while offering targeted compliance support, so companies importing or manufacturing chemicals in Korea should review their registration strategies, contracts and internal controls to align with the new mechanisms.

20 May 2026, 06:09law.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea MCEE Re-Announces Tenders for Carbon-Neutral Industry Legal Study and Industrial Green Chemistry Transition Project

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has re-announced two tenders to commission a carbon-neutral industry legal framework study and an industrial green chemistry transition support project, with bids due in late May 2026. These procurements signal stepped-up investment in decarbonisation and green chemistry policy design, foreshadowing potential future tightening or expansion of industrial and chemicals regulation once the commissioned work concludes.

19 May 2026, 15:28mcee.go.krSouth Korea

Germany: Government Sets Out Position on EU PFAS Restriction

In March 2026, the German government confirmed in a Bundestag reply that the planned EU PFAS restriction remains in ECHA’s technical assessment phase until the end of 2026 and that a further public consultation began in late March. This signals that binding PFAS restrictions are still several years away but that Germany will push for targeted derogations and transition periods for essential uses, so PFAS‑reliant sectors should plan for substitution while preparing to justify critical exemptions.

15 May 2026, 09:34dserver.bundestag.deGermanyEuropean Union

Defra Issues UK REACH Review Authorisations for ADCR Consortium Chromate Primers

Defra has issued four UK REACH review‑report authorisation decisions for members of the ADCR Consortium, allowing continued use and formulation of chromate‑based wash, bonding and other protective primers, as well as primer formulation, for aerospace and defence applications in Great Britain. The decisions extend access to critical hexavalent chromium primer systems under UK REACH while tightening exposure‑control and monitoring obligations at GB sites and setting time‑limited review periods for future reassessment.

14 May 2026, 19:43gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU NGO Criticises Commission’s Plans for Circular Economy Act

In April 2026, the European Environmental Bureau warned that the European Commission’s planned Circular Economy Act risks focusing too narrowly on recycling and market harmonisation while neglecting waste prevention, reuse, repair and non-toxic material cycles. If the proposal is not strengthened before it is tabled after summer 2026, companies may face a less transformative and predictable circular-economy framework, with missed opportunities to align resource use, waste policy and forthcoming REACH and chemicals-strategy reforms.

14 May 2026, 18:45environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Switzerland: Empa and Textile Partners Develop PFAS-Free Plasma Coatings for Outdoor Clothing

Switzerland has highlighted an Empa-led, Innosuisse-funded project with textile manufacturers to develop PFAS-free plasma coating technologies for outdoor clothing, using organosilicon compounds and Safe and Sustainable by Design principles. This research, award recognition, and related SSbD briefing signal an accelerating shift toward viable PFAS alternatives in textiles, with future implications for product design choices, supply chains, and forthcoming regulatory restrictions on PFAS.

14 May 2026, 18:42news.admin.chSwitzerland

Dutch Government Sets Conditions for Supporting EU Omnibus Package on Plant Protection Products

The Dutch government has outlined its conditions for supporting the EU Omnibus package on food and feed safety, backing a shift to a risk-based re-evaluation system for plant protection products while insisting that protection levels for people, animals and the environment are not weakened. This signals that Dutch negotiators will push for flexible but stringent EU rules, limited extensions of grace periods and a faster transition to low-risk pesticides and biocontrol, shaping how future approval and withdrawal practices could affect users of plant protection products.

14 May 2026, 05:53zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

ECHA Ends Consultation on Draft REACH Annex XIV Recommendation for 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (CAS 119344-86-4)

ECHA has closed the public consultation on its draft 13th REACH Annex XIV recommendation to prioritise the photoinitiator 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (CAS 119344-86-4) for inclusion in the Authorisation List. This moves the substance a step closer to future authorisation requirements for UV inks and coatings in the EU, so users should start assessing dependence on it and preparing substitution or authorisation strategies.

13 May 2026, 11:52echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Closes Consultation on TMAD Candidate for Substitution Under BPR

ECHA has closed the Biocidal Products Regulation consultation on TMAD (formaldehyde released from glyoxal–urea reaction products) as a potential candidate for substitution and archived it on the previous consultations list following a 09 March to 08 May 2026 information period. This signals that assessment of TMAD for BPR product types 06, 11 and 13 is advancing and that future EU authorisation decisions may require substitution or tightly defined derogations for detergents, paints, adhesives, cooling systems and metalworking fluids using this active substance.

11 May 2026, 11:42echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Illinois House Schedules SoyFoam Firefighting Foam Resolution After Committee Approval

On 7 May 2026, an Illinois House committee unanimously recommended adoption of a non-binding resolution urging the State Fire Marshal and local fire departments to replace existing firefighting foams with soy-based SoyFoam, and the measure was placed on the House calendar. While not yet legally binding, this progress signals growing political pressure to phase out PFAS-based foams in Illinois, so EHS, procurement, and chemicals teams should monitor for follow-on legislation or procurement rules that could formalise a PFAS-free transition.

9 May 2026, 14:17ilga.govUnited States

European Commission REACH Team Introduces HEFESTOS Study on Substituting Brominated Flame Retardants

The European Commission REACH Team has announced the HEFESTOS study, an EU-funded pilot project to develop practical substitution pathways for brominated flame retardants in construction, automotive, cables and other applications. This initiative signals strengthened EU focus on BFR substitution and stakeholder engagement, providing input that could shape future restrictions, guidance and support mechanisms for managing BFR risks.

8 May 2026, 06:02circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

American Sustainable Business Network Seeks Support for Bipartisan Legislation to Authorize EPA’s Safer Choice Program

In April 2026, the American Sustainable Business Network launched a broad sign-on letter urging US lawmakers to introduce and pass bipartisan legislation formally authorizing and funding EPA’s Safer Choice Program. If Congress takes up this proposal, statutory backing for Safer Choice could significantly strengthen US demand for safer-chemistry formulations, affect procurement standards across sectors, and increase pressure on manufacturers to invest in ingredient substitution and product reformulation.

7 May 2026, 19:26docs.google.comUnited States

EU (ECHA) Starts BPR Approval Assessment of Arnica Montana Extract BAS 2403 as Candidate for Substitution

European regulators have accepted an initial Biocidal Products Regulation Annex I approval application for a specific Arnica montana extract (BAS 2403), with Switzerland leading the evaluation and the substance flagged as a candidate for substitution. For biocidal product manufacturers and formulators, this signals an upcoming EU decision that will define approval conditions and may drive substitution or reformulation of products using this extract once the BPC opinion and legal act are finalised.

5 May 2026, 07:22echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals Sets Four Key Demands for Global Chemical Companies

An investor coalition coordinated by ChemSec and representing over $23 trillion in assets is intensifying engagement with major chemical producers, demanding greater transparency on hazardous-chemical revenues, time-bound phase-out plans for persistent chemicals, smaller hazardous portfolios, and 2030 targets to grow safer solutions. This raises strategic pressure on boards to align product portfolios with REACH, CSRD and tightening PFAS regulation, reduce long-tail litigation and remediation risks, and demonstrate credible transition plans to investors and customers.

30 Apr 2026, 09:01chemsec.orgGlobalUnited StatesEuropean Union

Change Chemistry and UMass Lowell Publish Policy Framework to Incentivise Sustainable Chemistry

In April 2026, industry network Change Chemistry and the University of Massachusetts Lowell published a joint policy framework outlining how targeted incentives could accelerate sustainable chemistry innovation, manufacturing, and market adoption. The report signals the types of grant, tax, procurement, and regulatory incentive packages that governments in the US, EU, and beyond may deploy, reshaping the economics of investing in safer, low-impact chemistries versus legacy substances and guiding future policy design.

29 Apr 2026, 18:17assets-002.noviams.comUnited StatesEuropean Union