On November 21, 2025, the Official Journal of the European Union published three Commission Delegated Directives, introducing centralized revisions to multiple lead-related exemptions under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS 2) Directive (2011/65/EU). These amendments focus on lead applications in alloys, glass/ceramics, and high melting temperature solders.

On November 19, 2025, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the National Disease Control and Administration published a joint announcement introducing the China Inventory of Priority Controlled Substances (Third Batch) (Draft for Comments). This update is part of the ongoing implementation of the Action Plan for the Control of New Pollutants (No. 15 [2022], which requires the dynamic expansion of the national list of priority controlled substances. Building on recent progress in environmental risk screening and assessment of new pollutants, the two departments have compiled a new draft list and are now seeking public input. All institutions, organizations, enterprises, and individuals are welcome to submit feedback. Written comments should be sent to the MEE, with electronic copies emailed to the designated contact email. The consultation period ends on December 2, 2025.

On November 11, 2025, UK government has officially unveiled its Strategic Roadmap for Replacing Animal Testing in Scientific Research, outlining plans to accelerate the phase-out of animal experiments in research and gradually terminate specific tests within six years. Supported by £75 million (approximately ¥690 million RMB), this initiative aims to promote cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and organ-on-a-chip systems as safe alternatives to animal testing.

On November 9, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) officially released Announcement No. 72 of 2025, announcing the suspension of the provisions of Article 2 of MOFCOM Announcement No. 46 of 2024 (Announcement on Strengthening Export Controls on Certain Dual-Use Items to the United States), effective immediately until November 27, 2026.

The Chemical Substance Management Agency of the Environmental Department in Taiwan (R.O.C) recently announced that it will launch the second phase of the existing chemical substance registration plan and provided relevant explanations regarding the priority existing substances (Pecs) for data collection and evaluation.

On November 7, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued Announcement No. 70 of 2025, announcing the suspension of multiple previous announcements effective immediately until November 10, 2026. The suspended announcements include Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs Announcements No. 55, 56, 57, and 58 of 2025, as well as Ministry of Commerce Announcements No. 61 and 62 of 2025.

On November 3, 2025, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a notice seeking public comments on two draft documents – the Catalog for Compliance Management of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2025 Edition) and the draft List of Applications Exempted from Restricted Substances in the Compliance Management Catalog (2025 Edition). The updated drafts consolidate the first batch of 12 products into ten categories, and add 23 new product types. The public consultation period will remain open until December 2, 2025.

China's National Standardization Administration Committee (SAC) has completed a review of 163 national standards, covering key areas such as the General Technical Requirements for Lithium-ion Battery Production Equipment. The review conclusions have been made public. According to the notice issued on October 27, 2025, all reviewed standards remain effective. The SAC is accepting public comments on the results via its official website until November 26, 2025.

Japan issued the schedule for submitting manufacturing and import notifications for low-volume new chemical substances for fiscal year 2026.

On October 20, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the addition of 14 new substance testing proposals and invited public comments by December 4. ECHA’s public consultation on testing proposals is part of an open evaluation process to determine whether additional testing is required for registered chemicals.