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On October 24, 2026, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment released MEE Order No. 40, updating new chemical substance registrations under the Ecological Environment Code. Key changes include higher non-compliance penalties, stricter applicant localization, updated exemption boundaries, and streamlined processes. To guide impacted industries, CIRS is offering free webinar sessions throughout November 2026.

Draft amendments from the 49th SCEGHS session (July 2026) outline updates for UN GHS Rev.12, refining physical hazard classifications—such as explosive boundaries and multi-hazard combinations—and revising skin-contact precautionary statements (P-statements) for water-reactive and pyrophoric chemicals, directly impacting product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

On October 19, 2026, UK HSE issued a notice formally adding nine chemical substances to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

On 30 September 2026, Brunei’s Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) issued Industry Guidance Note 2026/IGN/02 to support workplace compliance under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Adopting GHS Rev. 7 across 17 general hazardous substance classes, it outlines requirements for hazard classification, SDS, labeling, life-cycle controls, emergency preparedness, and exposure monitoring.

On October 24, 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the revised Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 40). Taking effect immediately, Order 40 officially repeals Order 12, marking the completion of a systematic overhaul aligned with China's overarching Ecology and Environment Code. Key product exemptions—including pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, cosmetics, and food—remain in full effect.

On October 14, 2026, the EPA proposed extending compliance deadlines for trichloroethylene (TCE) under TSCA section 6(a) to December 31, 2027. This extension applies to specific processing, industrial uses, wastewater discharges, and HFC-134a manufacturing. Additionally, safety data sheet updates are required within 30 days of the final rule, with public comments open through November 13, 2026.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is updating the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) to mandate SDS and labeling compliance for 35 newly added substances, 1 deletion, and 4 modified entries. Following October 2026 overseas stakeholder hearings, affected chemical exporters must review product inventories ahead of the April 2029 enforcement date.

The Philippines has enacted strict Chemical Control Orders for benzene and vinyl chloride, mandating registration, import clearances, and use bans.

Korea's NICS proposed GHS updates for 65 new and 12 revised substances, with comments due Nov 5, 2026, and compliance by Jan 1, 2028.