Welcome back to your latest regulatory roundup! China dominates this week's headlines, with major developments across the chemicals, cosmetics, and food sectors. From the MEE removing filing requirements for new chemical substances to significant cosmetic regulatory reforms and new probiotic rules affecting the health food industry, we've rounded up the key updates to help you stay on top of global compliance.
⭐Editor’s picks – key regulatory developments
China to Cease New Chemical Substance Filing from August 15, 2026
China’s MEE has announced that, starting August 15, 2026, environmental management filings for new chemical substances will be discontinued, with all applicants required to submit simplified registration instead. This shift aligns with the Ecological and Environmental Code, effectively eliminating the filing category and tightening compliance expectations. While revised Measures were initially planned for August 15, the notice suggests they may be released later. Companies should prepare for procedural changes and updated documentation requirements. ➡️Read more
Interpretation on Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing by China NMPA
China’s NMPA has released sweeping updates to cosmetic registration and filing, transforming how brands launch and manage products. The measures exempt foreign first‑launch products from market‑sale proof, reduce animal‑testing requirements, shift ingredient safety files to enterprise archiving, allow shared safety/efficacy data for similar formulas, simplify cross‑border production transfers, and expand acceptable efficacy‑testing methods. Together, these reforms significantly cut compliance costs and speed up innovation, giving companies more flexibility and faster routes to market. ➡️Read more
China Released Draft Regulations on the Registration and Filing of Health Foods Containing Probiotic Ingredients: Key Changes & Industry Impact
China’s SAMR has issued a comprehensive draft regulation redefining the management of probiotic health foods, replacing a 20‑year‑old framework. The Draft introduces stricter strain‑level identification, new safety and genetic stability documentation, higher live bacteria thresholds, and limits commercial ingredients to single‑strain formulations. Crucially, it also opens a filing pathway that could dramatically shorten time‑to‑market for approved strains. Companies should begin auditing strain portfolios and adjusting R&D pipelines to align with the new standards.➡️Read more
🔎What’s covered in this issue – at a glance
💻Free webinar
🧪Chemical news
- China to Cease New Chemical Substance Filing from August 15, 2026
- EU Proposes Revision of Hazardous Chemical Import and Export Regulations
- Japan Adds 40 Substances to ISHA Carcinogenic Substances List, Effective from 2028
- Sweden to Ban PFAS-Containing Consumer Products Starting 2028
- South Korea Opens Temporary K-REACH Fast Track for Supply of Crisis Chemicals
- South Korea Consults on Overhauled Hazardous Chemical Business Regulation Under K-CCA
- US EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rules for 27 Chemical Substances
- Are You Ready for the EU PPWR? Key Compliance FAQs
- Japan CSCL Switches New Chemical Confirmation E-Filing to G Biz ID
💄Cosmetic news
- Review: 2026 Effective and Implemented Cosmetic Regulations
- US Colorado Requires Warning Labels on Hair Relaxers and Hairpieces
- Interpretation on Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing by China NMPA
- Major Update! China's NMPA Releases Eight Major Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing
- Global Cosmetic Regulatory Outlook: Key Compliance Deadlines
- Analysis Report on the Filing Status of New Cosmetic Ingredients in China – July 2026
🍽Food and food contact material (FCM) news
- Overview of Three U.S. Congressional Proposals Related to GRAS Regulations in 2025
- US FDA Takes Further Steps to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes: Orange B Revoked, Citrus Red No. 2 Proposed
- China NHC Updates: 5 New Food Raw Materials Were Accepted
- Weekly Summary – Updates on the Approval and Review of “Three New Foods”
- Lacto-N-triose II Receives Positive Novel Food Safety Assessment from EFSA
- China Proposes New Health Food Registration Rules: Stricter Animal Raw Material Bans, Eased Plant Material Restrictions
- China Simplifies Interim Testing Registration Requirements for Agricultural GMOs
- China Released Draft Regulations on the Registration and Filing of Health Foods Containing Probiotic Ingredients: Key Changes & Industry Impact
- Weekly Summary – Updates on the Approval and Review of “Three New Foods”
- China NHC’s “Three New Foods” Updates: 4 New Food Raw Materials and Additives Were Accepted
🩺Medical devices news
Free webinars
Analysis of Policy Trends in Cross-Border E-Commerce for Imported Health Foods & Blue Hat Registration and Filing
CIRS Group, together with HPA-Global & HPA-China will host a free webinar on the Policy Trends in Cross-Border E-Commerce for Imported Health Foods & Blue Hat Registration and Filing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 12:00-13:00 EST. Please click here for more details.
❤ As a special bonus, all attendees will receive comprehensive guidance on health food registration and filing in China free of charge after the webinar.
Chemical news
China to Cease New Chemical Substance Filing from August 15, 2026
China’s MEE will stop accepting new‑chemical‑substance filings from August 15, 2026, requiring all applicants to shift to environmental management registration. This marks a structural regulatory change aligned with the Ecological and Environmental Code and signals tighter oversight for chemical innovators. ➡️Read more
EU Proposes Revision of Hazardous Chemical Import and Export Regulations
The EU has proposed major updates to its hazardous‑chemicals import/export rules, adding new pesticides, industrial chemicals, and multiple POPs to Annexes I and V while tightening exemptions and trace limits. Exporters of regulated chemicals face significantly higher compliance pressure ahead of 2027. Comments are accepted until August 21, 2026. ➡️Read more
Japan Adds 40 Substances to ISHA Carcinogenic Substances List, Effective from 2028
Japan has added 40 substances to its ISHA carcinogen list, with mandatory exposure‑control measures required by April 1, 2028. Employers handling these chemicals must upgrade engineering controls, PPE, and medical‑exam programs to stay compliant. ➡️Read more
Sweden to Ban PFAS-Containing Consumer Products Starting 2028
Sweden will ban PFAS‑containing consumer products from January 1, 2028, covering clothing, cosmetics, kitchenware, ski waxes, and waterproofing treatments. Strict concentration limits and criminal penalties mean brands must begin formula reviews now. ➡️Read more
South Korea Opens Temporary K-REACH Fast Track for Supply of Crisis Chemicals
South Korea has activated a temporary fast‑track K‑REACH registration pathway allowing companies to submit testing plans instead of full hazard data when raw‑material shortages occur. The measure, in place through 2027, helps importers secure substitute feedstocks without production delays. ➡️Read more
South Korea Consults on Overhauled Hazardous Chemical Business Regulation Under K-CCA
South Korea is overhauling its hazardous‑chemicals business‑operation rules, introducing clearer permit/declaration thresholds, streamlined cascading approvals, and stricter change‑management duties. Companies handling hazardous substances must reassess volumes, facility setups, and compliance pathways ahead of implementation. ➡️Read more
US EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rules for 27 Chemical Substances
The U.S. EPA has proposed SNURs for 27 chemicals across sectors from electronics to coatings and detergents, imposing strict controls on inhalation exposure, PPE, water releases, and consumer‑product uses. Companies may need SNUNs before undertaking new activities. ➡️Read more
Are You Ready for the EU PPWR? Key Compliance FAQs
With PPWR becoming fully mandatory on August 12, 2026, exporters face urgent obligations: heavy‑metal testing, recyclability declarations, DoCs, technical documentation, and per‑country EPR registration. Non‑compliance risks cargo detention and fines up to 6% of global turnover. To help clients quickly assess their readiness and ensure compliance, we’ve put together this essential enterprise FAQ guide. ➡️Read more
Japan CSCL Switches New Chemical Confirmation E-Filing to G Biz ID
Japan has updated its CSCL Small Amount and Low Tonnage Confirmation routes, requiring G Biz ID for electronic applications from the fourth FY2026 batch onward. Companies must secure accounts, update systems, and plan filings around new acceptance windows. ➡️Read more
Cosmetic news
Review: 2026 Effective and Implemented Cosmetic Regulations
Global cosmetic regulations have shifted significantly in 2026, with new bans, ingredient restrictions, expanded testing methods, and stricter labeling rules across China, the EU, the U.S., ASEAN, and beyond. Companies must reassess formulas, claims, and compliance systems to stay market‑ready. ➡️Read more
US Colorado Requires Warning Labels on Hair Relaxers and Hairpieces
Colorado has enacted HB26‑1135, banning covered hair products containing intentionally added carcinogens or reproductive toxicants starting July 1, 2027. Mandatory warning labels and strict definitions mean brands must reassess formulas and labeling now to avoid deceptive‑trade‑practice violations. ➡️Read more
Interpretation on Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing by China NMPA
China’s NMPA has issued major reforms to streamline cosmetic registration and filing—cutting data burdens, reducing animal testing, enabling shared safety/efficacy reports, and simplifying cross‑border site transfers. These changes lower compliance costs and accelerate product launches for both domestic and global brands. ➡️Read more
Major Update! China's NMPA Releases Eight Major Matters Concerning Cosmetic Registration and Filing
China’s NMPA has issued new measures optimizing cosmetic registration and filing, including first‑launch exemptions, reduced animal‑testing requirements, shared safety/efficacy data for similar formulas, and simplified production‑site and responsible‑person changes. These reforms cut compliance burdens and accelerate innovation. ➡️Read more
Global Cosmetic Regulatory Outlook: Key Compliance Deadlines
From August 2026 onward, major cosmetic regulations will take effect across China, the U.S., EU, Japan, ASEAN, and New Zealand—covering PFAS bans, packaging rules, halal certification, ingredient limits, and new testing standards. Brands must prepare now to avoid market‑access disruptions. ➡️Read more
Analysis Report on the Filing Status of New Cosmetic Ingredients in China – July 2026
China recorded 18 new cosmetic ingredient filings in July 2026—a 64% year‑on‑year surge—bringing the YTD total to 134. Domestic companies dominated submissions, while Malaysia and the U.S. contributed three filings. The data highlights accelerating innovation and growing peptide and botanical ingredient trends. ➡️Read more
Food and food contact material (FCM) news
Overview of Three U.S. Congressional Proposals Related to GRAS Regulations in 2025
Three new U.S. congressional proposals would tighten oversight of GRAS substances, with all pointing toward less room for self-GRAS and more FDA involvement. None is law yet, but food ingredient companies should treat them as an early warning that U.S. safety reviews and notification expectations may become much stricter. ➡️Read more
US FDA Takes Further Steps to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes: Orange B Revoked, Citrus Red No. 2 Proposed
The FDA has revoked Orange B, proposed revoking Citrus Red No. 2, and is pushing food makers to phase out six more synthetic dyes by the end of 2027. For food companies, the signal is clear: color reformulation and label-transition planning can no longer wait. ➡️Read more
China NHC Updates: 5 New Food Raw Materials Were Accepted
China's NHC has accepted a new batch of “three new foods” applications, covering five new food raw materials, two new food additives, and five new food-related products. For food companies, the update offers an early signal of where China’s ingredient pipeline is moving and what future market opportunities may emerge. ➡️Read more
Weekly Summary – Updates on the Approval and Review of “Three New Foods”
China’s latest “Three New Foods” update shows that food additive reviews remain active but technically demanding, with 10 applications sent back for supplementary materials and one negative review opinion issued. For companies, the message is clear: strong dossiers and fast response to data gaps are critical to keep approvals moving. ➡️Read more
Lacto-N-triose II Receives Positive Novel Food Safety Assessment from EFSA
EFSA has confirmed lacto‑N‑triose II (LNTri II) is safe as a novel food across proposed uses, including infant formula and supplements. This green light supports innovation in HiMO-based nutrition and opens the door for broader market adoption. ➡️Read more
China Proposes New Health Food Registration Rules: Stricter Animal Raw Material Bans, Eased Plant Material Restrictions
China’s SAMR has released major draft regulations tightening oversight of animal‑ and plant‑derived health foods, with comments accepted until August 24, 2026. Clear red lines and stricter documentation requirements mean companies must reassess ingredients and compliance strategies now to avoid future market barriers. ➡️Read more
China Simplifies Interim Testing Registration Requirements for Agricultural GMOs
China’s MARA has streamlined documentation requirements for interim GMO testing registration, removing non‑essential materials and focusing strictly on technical and safety data. This shift accelerates approvals and reduces administrative burden for biotech and agricultural innovators. ➡️Read more
China Released Draft Regulations on the Registration and Filing of Health Foods Containing Probiotic Ingredients: Key Changes & Industry Impact
China’s SAMR has released a major draft regulation overhauling how probiotic health foods are registered and managed. Stricter strain‑level requirements, higher live bacteria thresholds, and new documentation rules mean companies must reassess formulations and compliance strategies now to stay competitive. ➡️Read more
Weekly Summary – Updates on the Approval and Review of “Three New Foods”
China’s NHC has issued 17 extension notices for Three New Foods applications, signaling that multiple raw materials—from D‑Allulose to probiotic strains—require supplementary data after CFSA’s technical review. Companies using these ingredients should anticipate longer timelines and prepare additional safety documentation. ➡️Read more
China NHC’s “Three New Foods” Updates: 4 New Food Raw Materials and Additives Were Accepted
China’s NHC has accepted new Three New Foods applications, including two Dendrobium officinale materials, Cistanche tubulosa extract, and the sweetener Rebaudioside M. These filings signal continued innovation in functional ingredients and upcoming regulatory review milestones for industry players. ➡️Read more
Medical Devices news
Navigating Medical Device Chemical Safety: Testing, Regulations, and Market Access
Medical device chemical testing is becoming a core market-access issue, not just a lab exercise. With MDR, REACH, RoHS, POPs, NMPA/GB, and FDA/ISO 10993 all driving substance controls, manufacturers need targeted testing to identify restricted chemicals early, support compliance documentation, and reduce recall and market-entry risk. ➡️Read more
Contact Us
Latest Activities