Cut through the noise with this week’s essential regulatory headlines. We’ve distilled the most relevant updates across chemicals, food, and cosmetics so you can focus on action, not searching.

⭐ Editor’s picks – key regulatory developments

UK Releases National PFAS Strategy for 2026

On February 3, 2026, Defra released its PFAS Plan: Building a Safer Future Together, outlining a three-pillar strategy covering monitoring, regulatory restrictions, exposure reduction, and innovation. Key actions include UK REACH restrictions, POPs controls, drinking water consultations, and enhanced disclosure obligations. The strategy signals tightening oversight, increased reporting expectations, and potential product restrictions—requiring businesses to proactively assess PFAS use, supply chains, and long-term compliance strategies. ➡️Read more

China’s NMPA Issues Operational Guide for Cosmetic Electronic Label Submissions

On January 29, 2026, China’s NMPA released an operational guide clarifying how pilot enterprises must submit electronic cosmetic label information via the Cosmetics Registration and Notification Information Service Platform, ahead of the system’s launch on February 1, 2026. The guide standardizes submission processes, system development responsibilities, and data requirements, marking a key step toward digitalized labeling and increasing compliance and technical readiness expectations for cosmetic companies. ➡️Read more

Annual Report of 2025 EU Novel Food Additives

In 2025, the European Commission approved 18 food additive modifications, while EFSA issued 14 scientific opinions covering new additives, modifications, and re-evaluations. Plant-derived ingredients and alternative sweeteners dominated submissions, alongside the growing use of microbial and synthetic biology production methods. The data signals continued reformulation activity and rising scrutiny of strain safety, making strategic dossier preparation and regulatory foresight critical for companies targeting the EU market. ➡️Read more

If any of the regulatory updates below could affect your business and you’d like support navigating compliance, registration, or market entry, please contact our team via service@cirs-group.com.

🔎 What’s covered in this issue – at a glance

🧪Chemical news (9)

💄Cosmetic news (8)

🍽Food and food contact material (FCM) news (4)

Chemical news

UK Releases National PFAS Strategy for 2026
On February 3, 2026, Defra released its PFAS Plan: Building a Safer Future Together, outlining a three-pillar strategy covering monitoring, regulatory restrictions, exposure reduction, and innovation. Key actions include UK REACH restrictions, POPs controls, drinking water consultations, and enhanced disclosure obligations. The strategy signals tightening oversight, increased reporting expectations, and potential product restrictions—requiring businesses to proactively assess PFAS use, supply chains, and long-term compliance strategies. ➡️Read more

EU REACH Regulations Update: Companies Must Prioritize Ongoing Obligations for Dossier Updates

ECHA reminds chemical companies that REACH registration dossiers are “dynamic documents” requiring ongoing updates even after registration. Updates are needed when substance or usage information changes, tonnage bands increase, new uses are developed, or ECHA requests additional information. Revisions to regulatory requirements or CLP classification updates also trigger updates. Companies are urged to review ATP changes regularly, integrate new scientific data, and communicate updated safety information along the supply chain to maintain compliance. ➡️Read more

Shandong Expands Emerging Pollutant Controls: Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, UV-328 Added

On December 26, 2025, Shandong released the Supplementary List of Key Controlled Emerging Pollutants (2025 Edition), effective February 1, 2026. Building on the national list of 14 substances, it adds three new POPs: Chlorpyrifos, Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs), and UV-328. Measures include enterprise supervision, cleaner production audits, and soil pollution control, with specific restrictions for Chlorpyrifos. The list aims to improve targeted risk management, strengthen pollutant treatment systems, and support coordinated environmental protection and sustainable economic development in Shandong. ➡️Read more

South Korea Revises Chemical Hazard Assessment Results, Discloses Hazard Information for Over 100 Substances

On January 30, 2026, South Korea’s NICS revised chemical hazard assessment results under K-REACH, disclosing updated hazard information for over 100 substances. The update adds results for 56 substances, revises five existing entries, and publicly lists 67 chemicals whose data protection expired. Companies must review the appendices to ensure compliance, update SDS and labels where classifications have changed, and stakeholders may submit comments by February 19, 2026. ➡️Read more

EU Amends Toy Safety Directive, Approves Cobalt for Specific Uses

On January 29, 2026, the European Commission adopted Directive (EU) 2026/192, amending the Toy Safety Directive to allow cobalt in three specific toy applications. Although cobalt is classified as a CMR substance (Carc. 1B, Repr. 1B), the risk assessment concluded that exposure is negligible in stainless steel components (as a nickel impurity), electric current-conducting parts, and non-swallowable neodymium magnets. Member States must transpose the directive by July 29, 2026; it takes effect August 29, 2026. ➡️Read more

U.S. EPA Highlights Actions on PFAS Management in Administration’s First Year

On February 6, 2026, the U.S. EPA outlined the PFAS-related measures implemented during the administration’s first year. Actions span TSCA regulation of new and existing chemicals, strengthened drinking water standards and monitoring, contaminated site cleanup under Superfund, tighter industrial air and water controls, and expanded PFAS research. The EPA has also advanced detection methods across water, soil, wastewater, and air using targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches to improve nationwide oversight. ➡️Read more

ECHA Proposes Adding UV-326 and 3 Other Substances to REACH Authorization List

On February 2, 2026, ECHA proposed adding four substances, including UV-326 and UV-329, to the REACH Authorization List due to their status as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Companies must submit usage data and comments by May 2, 2026. If approved, enterprises using these substances will need to apply for specific authorization before selling or using them in the EEA. The European Commission will make the final decision on conditions of use. ➡️Read more

EU REACH Officially Adds Two New SVHCs and List Updated to 253 Entries

On February 4, 2026, ECHA officially added n-Hexane and BPAF (and its salts) to the REACH SVHC candidate list, bringing the total to 253 entries. Notably, n-Hexane is the first substance listed for equivalent level of concern (ELOC) neurotoxicity. Companies exporting products containing SVHCs above 0.1% must fulfil safe use information obligations and SCIP notifications. High-volume exports (>1 ton/year) require additional reporting. SVHCs may later be added to the Authorization List, requiring authorization. ➡️Read more

UK Proposes New Mandatory Classification and Labeling Regulations for 60 Hazardous Chemicals

On January 26, 2026, the UK HSE proposed updates to the Great Britain Mandatory Classification and Labelling (GB MCL) List, introducing mandatory classification and labeling requirements for 60 hazardous chemicals. The proposal, submitted as a WTO TBT notification, allows stakeholders to comment by March 27, 2026. Formal adoption is expected in Q2 2026, with full mandatory compliance by Q4 2028. Companies may voluntarily implement the new standards earlier to align with GB CLP obligations. ➡️Read more

Cosmetic news

China’s NMPA Issues Operational Guide for Cosmetic Electronic Label Submissions

China NIFDC Solicits Public Comments on Six Draft Standards for Microbiological Examination Methods in Cosmetics

On February 6, 2026, China’s NIFDC released six draft standards revising microbiological examination methods for cosmetics, now open for public comment until March 22, 2026. The drafts cover general testing guidelines and detection methods for total aerobic count, thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, mold and yeast, and Burkholderia cepacia complex. Once finalized, the standards may affect laboratory procedures, quality control systems, and compliance documentation for cosmetic manufacturers and testing institutions.➡️Read more

SCCS Issued Final Opinion On Hair Dye Basic Brown 16 (C009) and Basic Blue 99 (C059)

On January 10, 2026, the EU SCCS issued final opinions concluding that Basic Brown 16 (C009) and Basic Blue 99 (C059) are not considered safe for use in non-oxidative hair dye formulations. Basic Brown 16 raises concerns over potential mutagenicity, while Basic Blue 99 shows evidence of genotoxicity and is regarded as a skin sensitiser. The opinions align with the November 2025 assessments and may impact future regulatory decisions across the EU cosmetics framework. ➡️Read more

Indonesia BPOM: Announcement on the Draft List of Pharmaceutical Ingredients Permitted in Dental and Oral Care Products

On January 27, 2026, Indonesia’s BPOM published a draft list of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients permitted for use in dental and oral care cosmetics as part of its risk assessment framework for natural medicines, health supplements, quasi-drugs, and certain cosmetics. The draft covers 14 substances, including glycerin, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Listed ingredients must comply with the Indonesian Cosmetic Codex or other recognized quality standards. The public consultation closed on February 10, 2026. ➡️Read more

Analysis Report on the Filing Status of New Cosmetic Ingredients in China – January 2026

In January 2026, China’s NMPA recorded 19 new cosmetic ingredient filings, with domestic enterprises accounting for nearly 95% of submissions. Filings were concentrated in Yunnan and Beijing, and several ingredients—such as β-NMN and Tremella-related extracts—continue to show repeat activity. The data highlights growing local R&D capacity, increasing interest in biotechnology and plant-derived actives, and evolving competitive dynamics in China’s new ingredient landscape. ➡️Read more

China Releases January 2026 Summary Report on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspections
In January 2026, China’s NMPA and multiple provincial authorities intensified cosmetic supervision through nationwide sampling, routine inspections, and surprise audits. A total of 61 product batches and 33 manufacturers were found non-compliant, with issues spanning ingredient discrepancies, microbiological limits, undeclared substances, and GMP failures. The findings highlight sustained high-pressure enforcement and signal increased compliance risks for cosmetic brands and manufacturers operating in China. ➡️Read more

China New Ingredient Filing Status: Seven New Cosmetic Ingredients Filed in February

According to data from China’s NMPA, seven new cosmetic ingredients were filed between February 1 and February 5, 2026, bringing the total number of new filings in 2026 to 26. All filings were submitted by domestic enterprises. The ingredients include fermentation products, plant extracts, biosurfactants, animal-derived oils, and functional cosmetic actives. Technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, and none of the ingredients have entered the post-filing monitoring period. ➡️Read more

Taiwan Updates Documentation Requirements for the Use of Exosomes Derived from Human Cells in Cosmetics

Taiwan’s TFDA has revised its documentation requirements for cosmetics containing human cell–derived exosomes, easing mandatory safety testing by allowing certain toxicity studies to be submitted on a case-by-case basis. Effective immediately, the update reduces compliance burden while maintaining strict donor screening, manufacturing controls, and safety oversight. For brands developing advanced or biotech-driven cosmetic products, this revision improves regulatory flexibility but still requires robust data preparation for case-by-case approval. ➡️Read more

Food and food contact material news

Annual Report of 2025 EU Novel Food Additives

In 2025, the European Commission approved 18 food additive modifications, while EFSA issued 14 scientific opinions covering new additives, modifications, and re-evaluations. Plant-derived ingredients and alternative sweeteners dominated submissions, alongside growing use of microbial and synthetic biology production methods. The data signals continued reformulation activity and rising scrutiny of strain safety – making strategic dossier preparation and regulatory foresight critical for companies targeting the EU market. ➡️Read more

China NHC Newly Approved 5 New Food Raw Materials, 11 New Food Additives, and 6 Food-related Products

On February 5, 2026, China’s NHC approved 22 new “Three New Foods,” including 5 new food raw materials, 11 new food additives, and 6 food-related products. The approvals expand opportunities for functional oils, oligosaccharides, HMOs, enzymes, and food contact materials, while introducing specific use limits, strain requirements, and labeling obligations. Companies must review scope of use, safety standards, and production strain compliance before market entry or product reformulation. ➡️Read more

CIRS Assisted Meihua Group in Securing First NHC Approved 3’-SL

On February 5, 2026, China’s NHC approved 3’-sialyllactose (3’-SL) as a new food nutrition enhancer—the third authorized HMO following 2’-FL and LNnT. Meihua Group’s 3’-SL, produced via E. coli W (ATCC 9637), secured approval with full regulatory support from CIRS. The decision strengthens China’s HMO regulatory framework, supports infant formula innovation, and signals continued opportunities for compliant synthetic biology-derived ingredients. ➡️Read more

CIRS Assists VDK in Securing GRAS Status for β-carotene

VDK’s synthetically produced β-carotene has obtained self-GRAS status in the United States, confirming its safety for use as a food ingredient and enabling legal market entry. This milestone not only supports VDK’s global expansion strategy but also highlights the growing regulatory acceptance of synthetic biology–derived ingredients under the U.S. GRAS framework. For food and ingredient manufacturers, the case underscores GRAS as a critical pathway for accelerating commercialization, market access, and international competitiveness for novel, bio-based ingredients. ➡️Read more

CIRS Assists Runhan in Obtaining GRAS Status for Its GlcNAc
Runhan’s bio-fermented GlcNAc has been concluded as GRAS in the U.S., enabling its lawful use in foods and dietary supplements and supporting international market expansion. The decision reflects growing regulatory confidence in fermentation-derived ingredients and reduces market entry barriers for allergen-free, sustainable alternatives. For ingredient manufacturers, this case highlights GRAS as a strategic tool to validate safety, enhance commercial credibility, and accelerate access to high-standard global markets. ➡️Read more

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