This article compiles the cosmetic regulation updates that took place in September and October in Europe (including the UK), America, and the Asia Pacific region.

On November 20, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) together with authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, released a detailed report outlining the latest developments in restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. The report is based on over 5,600 pieces of scientific and technical feedbacks collected during the public consultation period in 2023, aiming to update and refine the management strategy for PFAS.

On October 30, 2024, a pilot enforcement project completed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Enforcement Forum revealed that approximately 6% of cosmetic products in the markets of 13 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) contain hazardous chemicals banned under the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Regulation and REACH Regulation. The inspection covered nearly 4,500 cosmetic products. Enforcement agencies reviewed ingredient lists, focusing on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), and their related substances, as well as cyclic siloxanes D4 and D5.

November 7, 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has officially announced the 32nd batch of 1 substances of very high concern (SVHC), bringing the total number of substances on the SVHC list (also known as the Candidate List) to 242.

On September 27, 2024, the European Commission published the amendments to the POPs Regulation — (EU) 2024/2555 and (EU) 2024/2570 — in its Official Journal. These amendments officially reduce the unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from 100 mg/kg to 75 mg/kg and add methoxychlor (also known as methoxychlor) to the list of banned substances under the EU POPs Regulation. These amendments will take effect on the 20th day following their publication in the Official Journal, which is October 17, 2024. With this, the list of banned substances in Annex I of the EU POPs Regulation officially expands from 29 to 30 items.

On August 1, 2024, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued the preliminary opinion (SCCS/1670/24) on hair dye HC Yellow No. 16 (Colipa No. B123) (CAS No. 1184721-10-5). The deadline for comments is set for September 27, 2024.

On August 1, 2024, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued the preliminary opinion (SCCS/1669/24) on Biphenyl-2-ol and Sodium 2-biphenylolate (CAS/EC No. 90-43-7/201-993-5 and 132-27-4/205-055-6). The deadline for comments is set for 27 September 2024.

As battery technology rapidly evolves and finds widespread application, the EU has introduced new battery regulations (2023/1542) aimed at enhancing the environmental and safety standards of battery products. The regulation includes a series of requirements such as control of hazardous substances, carbon footprint, CE conformity assessment, labeling requirements, and due diligence, with phased implementation.

On August 1, 2024, the European Quality Council for Medicines and Healthcare (EQDM) announced the release of the second edition of the technical guide "Metals and Alloys used in Food Contact Materials and Articles 2024," which will replace the previous CM/Res (2013) 9 version.