Chemicals Monthly Bulletin - August 2025: Latest Regulatory Updates in the EU, Minnesota (U.S.), and Macau (China)

I. New Chemical Regulations in the European Union

(I) Updated Restrictions on Substances under the POP Regulation

Between June and July 2025, the European Commission issued several Delegated Regulations to amend Annex I - Part A of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, introducing new restrictions on substances such as Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), and Ultraviolet Absorber (UV-328). Detailed requirements are outlined in the table below:

Note: For full details of all changes and new requirements, please refer to the official links of each Delegated Regulation in the table.

(II) New Explanatory Guide for Microplastics Restriction

On 18 July 2025, the European Commission published the Microplastics Explanatory Guide to facilitate understanding and clarify the application of restrictions on synthetic polymer microparticles (i.e., microplastics) under Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The guide comprises three parts:

• Part I (Narrative Section): Explains the restriction provisions and intended implementation in plain language, available in 22 official EU languages;

• Part II (Q&A Section): Compiles responses to questions from EU Member States and stakeholders, available only in English;

• Part III (Annexes): Includes decision trees and examples of borderline cases, available only in English.

(III) New Business Plan for the EU Chemical Industry

On 8 July 2025, the European Commission released a sectoral plan for the chemical industry, with the core objective of securing the future development of Europe’s chemical sector. The plan focuses on four key areas:

1. Supporting Europe’s production system: Establishing a "Critical Chemicals Alliance" to focus on the most critical molecules and production sites;

2. Reducing energy costs: Assisting the industry in achieving decarbonization goals;

3. Boosting market demand: Introducing "European content" and sustainability criteria in public and private procurement;

4. Clarifying requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Meanwhile, the European Commission adopted a sixth "Simplification Omnibus" to reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for the chemical industry, while ensuring robust protection of human health and the environment.

(IV) Updated Endocrine Disruptor Lists

In June 2025, the EU updated its endocrine disruptor lists, which are divided into three categories and revised at least once every two years:

• List I: Substances identified as endocrine disruptors at the EU level (under PPPR, BPR, or REACH regulations);

• List II: Substances currently being assessed for their endocrine-disrupting potential under EU legislation;

• List III: Substances deemed to have endocrine-disrupting properties by national assessment authorities.

These lists are managed by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of national authorities from participating countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain). The complete lists are available on the "Endocrine Disruptor Lists" official website.

(V) New Publications Related to Batteries

In July 2025, the European Commission released several publications related to batteries and new requirements, including:

1. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/606 (issued on 21 March 2025): Supplements Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, establishing methodologies for calculating and verifying recycling efficiency and material recovery rates of waste batteries, as well as formats for relevant documentation;

2. Report on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning the obligations of economic operators regarding battery due diligence policies;

3. Simplification Measure: The Council adopted legislation to "stop-the-clock" on the implementation of battery due diligence rules.

(VI) Latest Updates on the REACH Regulation

1. Summary of Recent Updates

2. Relevant Resources on the ECHA Website

• Registry of Restriction Intentions (until outcome): ECHA (europa.eu)

• Registry of SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) Intentions (until outcome): ECHA (europa.eu)

• Substance Evaluation (CoRAP): ECHA (europa.eu)

• Adopted Opinions and Previous Consultations on Authorisation Applications: ECHA (europa.eu)

• Current Consultations on Authorisation Applications: ECHA (europa.eu)

• Current Calls for Comments and Evidence: ECHA (europa.eu)

• Authorisation List: ECHA (europa.eu)

• ECHA’s Completed Restriction-Related Activities

• Submitted Restrictions Under Consideration

• Regulatory Needs Assessment List

(VII) Resources Related to the CLP Regulation (on the ECHA Website)

• Registry of CLH (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Intentions (until outcome): ECHA (europa.eu)

• Harmonised Classification and Labelling Consultations: ECHA (europa.eu)

(VIII) EU Initiatives Related to Hazardous Chemicals

II. Revised Chemical Regulations in Minnesota, U.S.

(I) Revision of PFAS Regulations (SF 3 Act)

In 2023, the State of Minnesota enacted HF 2310 (Chapter 60) to regulate "intentionally added PFAS" in various consumer product categories. On 14 June 2025, the state passed SF 3 to amend the PFAS regulations, clarifying exemptions in product scope and application.

1. Key Provisions of the Original Act (HF 2310)

• Phase I (Effective 1 January 2025): Bans 11 product categories containing intentionally added PFAS, including carpets/rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, juvenile products, menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax, and upholstered furniture;

• Phase II (Starting 1 January 2026): Requires manufacturers to disclose PFAS usage, including substance names, CAS numbers, purposes, and quantities;

• Phase III (Effective 1 January 2032): Expands the PFAS ban to all products, except those deemed "currently unavoidable" by regulation. Certain exemptions apply (e.g., FDA-regulated medical devices, fire-fighting foam, and reused products).

2. Amendments Under the SF 3 Act (Expanded Exemptions for Phase I)

• "Intentionally added PFAS present only in electronic components or internal components" are exempt from the 2025 ban. If such PFAS are deemed "avoidable" or "phased out" by 2032, they will be subject to restrictions thereafter;

• The definition of "juvenile products" is clarified to exclude children’s motor vehicles (e-bikes, snowmobiles, ATVs) and their replacement parts.

(II) Expanded Exemptions to the State’s Lead and Cadmium Ban (HF 4 Act)

In 2023, Minnesota originally enacted HF 2310 (Chapter 60), which banned the import, manufacture, sale, or distribution of 15 product categories containing lead exceeding 90 ppm or cadmium exceeding 75 ppm. These categories include chalk, crayons, paints and other art supplies, clothing, footwear, headwear and accessories, cosmetics and personal care products, costumes and costume accessories, craft supplies and jewelry-making materials, cups, bowls and other food containers, fidget spinners, jewelry, keys, key chains and key rings, outdoor games, play sets and play structures, pots and pans, puzzles, board games, card games and similar games, school supplies, and toys.

On 14 June 2025, Minnesota passed HF 4, introducing key exemptions to the lead and cadmium regulations (effective 15 June 2025). The main exempted items include:

• Ink pens and mechanical pencils: No longer classified as "school supplies";

• "Paints" in the art supplies category: Restricted only to "children’s paints"; professional art materials (e.g., oil-based paints, water-based paints, pastels, pigments, ceramic glazes, markers, and encaustics) are excluded;

• Products containing lead only in internal solder: Exempt until 1 July 2028, but manufacturers must submit biennial reports on alternatives and phase-out plans thereafter;

• Keys, key chains, and key rings with lead content: Exempt if they were available before 1 July 2028. After this date, keys with a lead content of at least 1.5% remain permitted;

• Cast iron or steel pots and pans: Exempt if lead content is ≤ 90 ppm and cadmium is only present in the enamel layer that does not come into contact with food.

III. Mercury-Related Product Ban in Macau, China

On 16 June 2025, the Macau Printing Bureau issued a local regulation - Chief Executive’s Decision No. 109/2025 - which prohibits the import, export, and transshipment of specific mercury (Hg)-containing products into/through the Macau Special Administrative Region. This decision will take effect on 1 January 2026.

(I) Scope of the Ban (Covering Mercury-Containing Products Listed in the Minamata Convention on Mercury and Its Amendments)

1. Batteries;

2. Switches and relays;

3. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for general lighting;

4. Linear Fluorescent Lamps (LFLs) and non-linear fluorescent lamps (e.g., U-shaped and circular lamps) for general lighting, including tri-band lamps (all power levels) and halophosphate lamps (all power levels);

5. High-Pressure Mercury Vapor (HPMV) lamps for general lighting;

6. Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs) and External Electrode Fluorescent Lamps (EEFLs) for electronic equipment;

7. Cosmetics (including skin-whitening soaps and creams): Excluding eye-area cosmetics that use mercury as a preservative (where no effective and safe alternative preservatives exist);

8. Pesticides, biocides, and topical antiseptics;

9. Non-electronic measuring devices: Barometers, hygrometers, pressure gauges, thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and extensometers for use with plethysmographs;

10. Electrical and electronic measuring instruments: Fusion pressure transducers, fusion pressure transmitters, fusion pressure sensors, mercury vacuum pumps, tire gauges, and wheel weights;

11. Film and photographic paper.

(II) Exemptions

Mercury-containing products intended for research, instrument calibration, or use as reference standards are exempt from the above ban.