CIRS Regulatory Newsletter | July 2026 - Newsletter

In this edition, we explore some of the latest regulatory developments across the chemicals, cosmetics, food, and feed sectors. Highlights include preparations for the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), China's move to reduce regulatory requirements for certain cosmetics, and EFSA's conclusion on the safety of the food enzyme dextransucrase for its intended use. These Editor's Picks are just a snapshot of this week's coverage, alongside further regulatory news, analysis, and compliance insights from around the world.

⭐Editor’s picks – key regulatory developments

Mandatory Enforcement in Less Than 2 Months! Is Your Packaging Ready to Pass the "PPWR Checkpoint"?

On August 12, 2026, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation becomes fully mandatory, creating a direct compliance deadline for any company selling packaged goods into Europe. The rules go beyond packaging design and now tie market access to heavy metal and PFAS limits, conformity documentation, EPR registration, and required labeling. For exporters, the practical message is clear: review packaging now, test high-risk materials early, and close compliance gaps before customs holds, fines, or product delisting disrupt EU sales.➡️Read more

China Releases New Regulations on Cosmetic New Ingredients, with Official Policy Interpretation

China’s NMPA and NIFDC have issued new companion rules for cosmetic new ingredients, effective July 15, 2026, reshaping how registration and filing data are managed. The changes narrow the scope of higher-risk functions, shift some materials from mandatory submission to retention for inspection, encourage use of existing data and alternative methods, and support parallel ingredient-product applications. For companies, the practical impact is a lower development burden, faster filing planning, and a need to reassess classification, testing, and commercialization strategy. ➡️Read more

EU Update: EFSA Concludes Food Enzyme Dextransucrase Safe for Its Intended Use

EFSA’s safety assessment found that dextransucrase produced with genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain DP-Eyp97 does not raise safety concerns under its intended conditions of use in sugar processing for in situ production of oligo- and polysaccharides. Because the production strain met the qualified presumption of safety requirements, toxicity studies were considered unnecessary, and allergen risk was considered low. For industry, the opinion strengthens regulatory confidence in this enzyme’s use and may support commercialization and formulation planning in the EU.➡️Read more

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

💻Free webinars

Analysis of Policy Trends in Cross-Border E-Commerce for Imported Health Foods & Blue Hat Registration and Filing

🧪Chemical news

💄Cosmetic news

🍽Food and food contact material (FCM) 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

US EPA Initiates Information Request on Legacy Uses of Asbestos

On June 23, 2026, the EPA reopened public comment on its TSCA rulemaking for legacy asbestos uses and related disposal, with feedback due by August 24, 2026. The request signals that the agency is considering broader oversight of demolition, renovation, self-employed workers, installed asbestos products, and air-testing capacity, while moving toward tighter exposure controls. For companies in construction, real estate, and industrial maintenance, the practical takeaway is to prepare for higher compliance costs, expanded testing, and stricter operational requirements.➡️Read more

Mandatory Enforcement in Less Than 2 Months! Is Your Packaging Ready to Pass the "PPWR Checkpoint"?

Vietnam Tightens "Toxic Chemicals" Control: Criminal Liability Risks for Businesses

Vietnam’s new chemicals framework significantly raises compliance stakes for companies dealing in toxic or specially controlled chemicals. Under the 2025 Law on Chemicals and related decrees, substances meeting certain GHS hazard criteria may trigger tighter trade controls, while failures in licensing, buyer verification, or electronic traceability can expose individuals—not just companies—to criminal liability. For chemical businesses, the practical priority is to review product classifications, tighten sales controls, renew permits, and strengthen internal oversight before previously lawful transactions become criminal offenses.➡️Read more

Vietnam Sets July 30 Deadline for Chemical Database Registration Verification

Vietnam’s requirement for companies to verify their chemical database information by July 30, 2026 shows how digital records are becoming a core part of chemicals compliance under the new Law on Chemicals. What looks like an administrative update could directly affect import clearance, new chemical substance registration, and enforcement exposure if company or substance data are inaccurate. For businesses exporting to or operating in Vietnam, the key takeaway is to review database records now and align them with actual registrations and declarations.➡️Read more

How to Quickly Use SARA-ICE for Deriving Skin Sensitization Potency

The updated OECD Test Guideline 497 introduces SARA-ICE, a Bayesian tool that shifts skin sensitization assessment from qualitative hazard identification to quantitative estimation of human-relevant potency, including ED01 and point-of-departure outputs. By combining data from multiple key events and accepted in vitro, animal, or human sources, the approach can better define dose-related sensitization risk. For companies, this marks an important step toward more precise, non-animal safety assessment and stronger support for regulatory risk evaluation.➡️Read more

Panama Proposes to Adopt UN GHS Seventh Revision as Mandatory Chemical Classification and Labeling Regulation

Panama has notified a draft rule to incorporate GHS Seventh Revision into its mandatory chemicals framework, with comments due by August 9, 2026, and a three-year transition for companies. The proposal would require manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers to update hazard classification, Spanish labels, safety data sheets, training, and internal controls, while regulators refine sector rules over two years. For businesses, the key takeaway is to assess compliance costs early and check whether suppliers can support GHS-ready market access.➡️Read more

Japan Mandates PFHxS Checks and New Handling Rules for Fire Extinguishers and Agents

Japan’s FDMA has warned companies to check whether their fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents contain PFHxS-related substances after Japan designated them as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the CSCL and revised the relevant technical standards. With manufacture, import, and use now prohibited in principle from June 2026, affected businesses must review inventories, confirm product content, and manage disposal, replacement, leakage, training, and inspection activities carefully. For companies supplying PFAS-based firefighting products to Japan, this is an immediate compliance issue.➡️Read more

EU Formally Lists Chlorpyrifos under POPs Regulation

On June 30, 2026, the European Commission adopted a delegated regulation adding chlorpyrifos to Annex I of the EU POPs Regulation and setting a strict unintentional trace contaminant limit of 0.01 mg/kg in substances, mixtures, and articles. Because no specific exemptions apply, companies exporting chemicals, plastics, textiles, electronics, packaging, and other goods to the EU may face market-access risks if products exceed the threshold. The practical priority now is testing, supplier review, and rapid compliance screening. ➡️Read more

Taiwan to Classify Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 as Toxic Chemicals from July 1

Taiwan has brought methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, and UV-328 under toxic chemical controls from July 1, 2026, tightening permit, record-keeping, and substitution obligations. Companies making, importing, using, or releasing these substances should review thresholds, grace periods, and product impacts now to avoid compliance disruption. ➡️Read more

Cosmetic news

Thailand Proposes ACD-Aligned Cosmetic Ingredient Limits and Adds 10 New Prohibited Substances

Thailand’s June 9, 2026 draft amendments to its cosmetics ingredient rules would align national requirements with the latest ASEAN Cosmetic Directive updates and tighten controls on several widely used ingredients. The proposals would narrow permitted uses for homosalate and benzophenone-3, further restrict salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione, add new restricted entries such as BHT, and move Quaternium-15 onto the prohibited list. Companies should review products early and plan reformulation within the proposed 180-day transition.➡️Read more

China New Ingredient Filing Status: Six New Cosmetic Ingredients Have Been Filed

Between June 15 and 22, 2026, six new cosmetic ingredients completed filing in China, bringing the annual total to 109 and confirming that filing activity is still accelerating. The update points to continued innovation from both domestic and overseas filers, but the technical requirements remain undisclosed and none of the six ingredients has entered post-filing monitoring. For companies, that means the market is moving quickly, while competitive tracking, safety assessment, and regulatory follow-up remain essential. ➡️Read more

Brazil ANVISA Seizes Three Unregistered Cosmetics and Sanitizing Products in Crackdown on Misuse of Registration Information

On June 23, 2026, Brazil’s ANVISA ordered the seizure of three cosmetics and sanitizing products that were unregistered, linked to unauthorized companies, or associated with misuse of another company’s registration information. The agency also fully prohibited their sale, distribution, manufacture, advertising, and use. For companies in Brazil’s cosmetics and household products market, the message is clear: registration, notification, operating authorization, and entity-data control are not administrative formalities—they are essential to market access and enforcement risk management.➡️Read more

China Releases New Regulations on Cosmetic New Ingredients, with Official Policy Interpretation

China’s NMPA and NIFDC have issued new companion rules for cosmetic new ingredients, effective July 15, 2026, reshaping how registration and filing data are managed. The changes narrow the scope of higher-risk functions, shift some materials from mandatory submission to retention for inspection, encourage use of existing data and alternative methods, and support parallel ingredient-product applications. For companies, the practical impact is lower development burden, faster filing planning, and a need to reassess classification, testing, and commercialization strategy. ➡️Read more

Indonesia BPOM Consults on Draft Cosmetic Post-Market Safety Surveillance Regulation

Indonesia’s BPOM has opened consultation on a draft rule that would bring cosmetics into a unified post-market pharmacovigilance framework alongside natural medicines, quasi-drugs, and health supplements. For cosmetic marketing authorization holders, the proposal introduces clearer responsibility for adverse-event systems, strict 7-day and 15-day serious-event reporting timelines, and regular cumulative reporting, including zero reports. The practical takeaway is that companies should start building stronger internal monitoring, documentation, and escalation processes now before the framework is finalized.➡️Read more

Compliance Countdown for Companies! EU Fragrance Allergens Expanded to 81 Substances

The EU’s fragrance-allergen rules have entered their final compliance phase, with the labeling list expanded to 81 substances and new products required to comply by July 31, 2026. The changes go beyond simply adding names to labels: companies must reassess formulas, identify allergens above the leave-on and rinse-off thresholds, and manage packaging updates within the transition timeline. For cosmetics businesses, this is now a practical market-access issue that also aligns with tightening fragrance-allergen rules in other major markets.➡️Read more

South Korea MFDS Launches Official Website for Cosmetic Safety Assessment Support

On July 1, 2026, South Korea’s MFDS launched a Cosmetic Safety Assessment Support website to help companies prepare for the country’s phased cosmetic safety assessment system, which is expected to begin taking effect from 2028. The platform combines regulatory updates, FAQs, consultation channels, and training resources, with support for SMEs. For cosmetic responsible sellers, including overseas exporters to Korea, the site signals that safety assessor arrangements, documentation workflows, and compliance planning should begin well before the mandatory phase. ➡️Read more

Summary Report on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection in China – June 2026

China’s June 2026 cosmetics supervision results show growing enforcement pressure at both national and local levels, with serious quality-management-system deficiencies found at multiple companies and non-compliant batches identified in skin-whitening, hair-dye, shampoo, and skincare products. Regulators also highlighted undeclared ingredients, excessive acrylamide, zinc pyrithione issues, and microbial contamination as recurring risks. For cosmetics companies, the practical takeaway is to strengthen supplier audits, raw-material screening, formula compliance checks, and production-process controls before intensified inspections lead to suspension, penalties, or market disruption.➡️Read more

Summary Report on Cosmetic Supervision and Sampling Inspection in China – June 2026

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

China recorded 23 new cosmetic ingredient filings in June 2026, bringing the cumulative total for the year to 116 and marking roughly 64% growth from the same month last year. Domestic notifiers remained dominant, while overseas filers from the United States, Italy, Singapore, and Taiwan also stayed active, highlighting both local innovation and international interest in China’s ingredient market. For companies, the faster filing pace makes competitor tracking, ingredient evaluation, and regulatory follow-up increasingly important.➡️Read more

How to Quickly Use SARA-ICE for Deriving Skin Sensitization Potency

ASEAN Cosmetic Directive Updated-Involving Annexes II, III, IV, and VI

ASEAN’s latest update to the Cosmetic Directive annexes revises the lists of prohibited and restricted substances, permitted colorants, and permitted preservatives, with direct implications for products sold across the region. The changes include new prohibitions for several azole ingredients, tighter controls on substances such as kojic acid and verbena absolute, revised limits for CI 45430, and removal of two preservatives from the permitted list. For companies, the priority is to review formulas, raw material purity, and member-state implementation plans now. ➡️Read more

A Complete Guide to the Technical General Principles for NCI Registration & Filing in China

China’s Technical General Principles for new cosmetic ingredient registration and filing provide a clearer roadmap for how companies must classify ingredients, prepare technical data, and build safety assessments. The document sets out case-based data requirements, source and process categories, quality-control expectations, and testing rules, while also clarifying where exemptions or reduced studies may apply. For companies, the practical takeaway is that stronger early-stage ingredient characterization, data strategy, and dossier planning will be critical to avoid delays, gaps, or unnecessary testing.➡️Read more

Food and food contact material (FCM) news

FSANZ Regulatory Updates: Cataya Bio’s 2'-FL Completes Codex Amendment

Under Amendment No. 250 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, FSANZ has approved the use of 2′-fucosyllactose produced from genetically modified Corynebacterium glutamicum as a nutritive substance in infant formula products. The change updates the relevant compositional, definition, purity, and genetically modified food provisions, further expanding the region’s accepted HMO framework. For infant formula companies, the practical takeaway is to assess formulation opportunities and review whether product labels, technical files, and registration strategies need updating. ➡️Read more

EU Update: EFSA Concludes Food Enzyme Dextransucrase Safe for Its Intended Use

EFSA’s safety assessment found that dextransucrase produced with genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain DP-Eyp97 does not raise safety concerns under its intended conditions of use in sugar processing for in situ production of oligo- and polysaccharides. Because the production strain met qualified presumption of safety requirements, toxicity studies were considered unnecessary, and allergen risk was considered low. For industry, the opinion strengthens regulatory confidence in this enzyme’s use and may support commercialization and formulation planning in the EU.➡️Read more

Three New Entries Added to China's Terminated Review List for New Food Ingredients

China has updated its Terminated Review List for New Food Ingredients with tuna carnosine concentrate, Fusarium venenatum mycoprotein, and banana flower, bringing the total number of listed substances to 102. The decisions show that some products may fall outside the scope of new food ingredients or be considered substantially equivalent to previously approved materials, rather than requiring a full review. For companies, the practical value is clearer pathway selection, lower regulatory uncertainty, and potentially faster commercialization planning. ➡️Read more

CIRS Helps Shandong Freda’s SAMe-DT Successfully Complete FDA NDI Notification

Shandong Freda has successfully completed FDA NDI notification for its independently developed SAMe-DT, creating a compliant route into the U.S. dietary supplement market. Beyond the filing itself, the milestone shows how solving technical challenges such as ingredient stability and scaling them with strong quality control can support international commercialization. For businesses, the broader takeaway is that market access increasingly depends not only on product innovation, but also on building safety evidence, manufacturing robustness, and regulatory readiness in parallel.➡️Read more

Outsource Health Food Production? China's SAMR Released Q&As to Clarify Compliance Rules That Apply to Entrusted Food Production

China’s new Measures on entrusted food production, effective December 1, 2026, clarify that health foods may be contract-manufactured in certain scenarios, but the commissioned manufacturer must be able to complete the entire production process. Split-stage outsourcing is not allowed. For companies pursuing health food registration or filing, this is an important compliance signal: manufacturing strategy must align with product type, application pathway, and licensing requirements early, or the chosen market-entry route may be blocked. ➡️Read more

EFSA Safety Assessment: Bandera Twin Recycled PET Process Suitable for up to 100% Use in FCMs

EFSA concluded that the Bandera Twin PET recycling process is not a safety concern for specified food-contact uses, with different maximum recycled PET levels depending on the food category and application. The opinion supports the use of recycled PET at up to 9% for drinking-water contact, 30% for milk, milk-based drinks, other non-alcoholic beverages, and infant/toddler solid foods, and 100% for other food types. For packaging companies, the key takeaway is clearer regulatory support paired with defined use restrictions. ➡️Read more

China Seeks Comments on Draft Review Rules for Infant and Young Child Complementary Food Production Licensing

China’s SAMR has opened public consultation on revised production licensing review rules for infant and young child complementary foods, with comments due by August 1, 2026. The draft would tighten market-entry expectations for production sites, equipment, process layout, quality management, personnel, and testing capabilities for products intended for children aged 6 to 36 months. For manufacturers, the practical takeaway is clear: assess current operations now and identify compliance gaps early to avoid disruption when stricter licensing standards take hold. ➡️Read more

Imported Products Approved Again! Analysis of China Health Food (Dietary Supplement) Registration Products in the First Half of 2026

In the first half of 2026, China issued 1,136 health food registration approvals, including 121 new products and three imported approvals, reflecting momentum in the sector. At the same time, the market may be entering a more demanding phase: immunity products remained dominant, but the article warns that review and supervision are likely to tighten after the “Youthit” incident. For companies, the takeaway is clear—future success will depend not just on demand, but on stronger compliance preparation and regulatory execution. ➡️Read more

Overview of FDA GRAS Notices in the First Half of 2026

Chinese ingredient companies showed strong momentum in FDA GRAS notices in the first half of 2026, with 16 substances receiving “FDA has no questions” letters—nearly matching the 19 secured in all of 2025. Microbial ingredients, sweeteners, and HMOs remained the most active categories, underscoring where innovation and commercialization interest are concentrated. For ingredient companies targeting the U.S. market, the trend shows that GRAS strategy is becoming not just a regulatory exercise but a key tool for international growth. ➡️Read more

GACC Decree No. 280 Takes Effect: Imported Dietary Supplements Containing 20 Key Ingredients, Including NMN and Coenzyme Q10, Face Stricter Regulatory Oversight

China’s GACC Decree No. 280, now in force, requires imported foods for human consumption or food processing to declare a valid China registration number for the overseas manufacturing establishment at import. At the same time, while cross-border e-commerce retail foods remain regulated as personal-use imports, products containing any of 20 key regulated ingredients face stricter document checks, including origin, free-sale, and approved-food-use evidence. For companies, the practical priority is to review ingredient exposure and secure compliant documentation early.➡️Read more

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