The Law on Chemicals (No 06/2007/QH12) was passed by the second session of the 12th National Assembly on November 21, 2007, and has come into effect since July 1, 2008. It has become the cornerstone of Vietnam's chemical management, reflecting the specific economic situation of the chemical industry and the development of global chemical management. After 15 years of stable implementation, the law has shown its comprehensiveness and advancement. However, with the enactment of the Planning Law, the Investment Law, and the Environmental Protection Law, etc. as well as changes in the management system, the guiding documents of the Law on Chemicals have been affected, weakening the coordination and unity of the regulatory system. Therefore, the government and the National Assembly have decided to revise the Law on Chemicals to promote regulatory consistency and management efficiency.

EPA announced that it has finished the risk management rule under the updated existing chemical review process in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), banning the manufacture, import, processing, distribution and use of chrysotile asbestos.

According to the latest announcement from ECHA, the Enforcement Forum will initiate inspections related to the EU Poison Center Notifications (PCN) in January 2025. These inspections will last for six months, with the final report expected to be published at the end of 2025. Inspectors will verify not only the submission of PCN but also the accuracy of labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for mixtures.

Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) initiated a risk management evaluation and public consultation for chlorpyrifos, scientifically known as O, O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate.

Since 1 February 2024, METI has implemented the latest import clearance procedures for chemical substances under the Japanese CSCL.

On Feb 9, 2024, the European Commission proposed a new draft aimed at amending the existing regulations on food contact materials (FCMs), involving a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives. The draft amends (EU) No 10/2011 and (EC) No 1895/2005, and repeals (EU) 2018/213. Bisphenol A (BPA), known as 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylpropane (CAS No: 80-05-7), is a monomer or starting substance widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate, polysulfone, epoxy resins, and other resins. It is extensively used in plastics, varnish coatings, inks, adhesives, and rubbers.

On Feb 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final rule on revising the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) fee. The revised fees will be effective 60 days after the 2024 final rule is published in the Federal Register.

On February 1, 2024, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of Environment (MoE) jointly issued a draft on the revision of the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL) for public comments closing on March 1, 2024. This draft aims to strengthen the management of PFOA-related compounds, involving their manufacturing, import, and usage.

On January 25, 2024, China‘s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued a notice on simplifying the import and export control over mixtures containing low concentrations of triethanolamine, which will take effect on February 1, 2024. According to the notice, products with low concentrations of triethanolamine, including non-medical disinfectants, synthetic detergents, cosmetics, and inks, are no longer subject to the import & export control for triethanolamine (HS code: 2922150000), and triethanolamine mixtures (HS code: 3824999950) listed in the Catalogue of license for dual-use items and technologies.

On December 29, 2023, China’s Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly published the list of goods prohibited from export (eighth batch) and the list of goods prohibited from import (ninth batch), in which PFOS products were included. The lists shall be effective from January 1, 2024.