On March 30, 2026, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published the government response to the consultation on the UK REACH Alternative Transitional Registration Model (ATRm), announcing the cancellation of the originally planned requirement for companies to submit additional use and exposure information.
On March 11, 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its first public consultation on adding Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) to the UK REACH Candidate List since Brexit. The consultation includes 15 proposed SVHCs, and companies have until April 20, 2026, to submit comments or supporting information. For companies placing chemicals on the market in Great Britain, this is a meaningful signal of how UK REACH is evolving.
On 18 March 2026, UK launched a public consultation on amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulations.
On March 11, 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced the launch of its first public consultation for the inclusion of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) into the candidate list.
What the Year of the Horse can teach businesses about speed, endurance, and discipline in today’s evolving regulatory landscape.
On February 3, 2026, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the PFAS Plan: Building a Safer Future Together. This plan outlines a three-pillar strategy aimed at balancing the societal benefits of these essential industrial chemicals with their potential risks to the environment and public health.
Stakeholders may submit comments by March 27, 2026.
On December 22, 2025, UK released a summary report on the proposal to extend the UK REACH transitional registration deadlines, announcing a comprehensive three-year postponement.
On December 1, 2025, the UK government officially released the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). Under "Goal 4: Chemicals and Pesticides," the plan explicitly states that measures will be taken to minimize the potential risks of chemicals and pesticides to the environment and public health. These measures include reforming the UK's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) regulations and strengthening the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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.
