The implementation of the Ukrainian REACH regulations marks an important step for Ukraine in aligning with EU chemical safety standards and also presents new compliance challenges for businesses. Companies need to closely monitor regulatory developments, take proactive measures, and ensure registration is completed within the specified timeframes to maintain trade activities in the Ukrainian market.

On November 15, 2024, Brazilian Chemical Management Law No. 15. 022 (also known as Brazil REACH) officially came into effect, marking a significant step forward in the field of chemical regulations in Brazil. According to the provisions of this regulation, manufacturers and importers must complete registration in a newly established registration system for non-exempt chemicals with an annual production or import volume exceeding one ton, with the aim to prioritize the identification and focus on chemicals, conduct risk assessments, and ultimately implement risk management measures.

On October 15, 2024, Brazil's Senate approved Bill No. 6120 of 2019, a REACH-like chemical management bill aimed at establishing a national registry of chemical substances. This bill mandates a comprehensive assessment and risk control of chemicals used, produced, or imported within the country to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Six substances added to the SVHC Candidate List; 22 chemical substances set for upcoming REACH registration testing approval; public consultations launched on CLH proposals for two chemicals.

QCOs implementation date postponed from August 25, 2024, to December 24, 2024.

Feedback is welcome until September 16, 2024.

On July 23, 2024, the Ukrainian government approved the Ukrainian Technical Regulation on Chemical Safety, modeled after EU REACH. This requires the registration of chemical substances produced or imported over one ton annually. The regulation becomes effective on January 23, 2025, six months after its approval.

The Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine has issued the Ukraine REACH Resolution - "On the Approval of Technical Regulations on the Safety of Chemicals" and is open for comments as of March 22, 2024. The Ukraine REACH draft, identical to the one submitted to the World Trade Organization in 2023, establishes the Ukrainian chemical legislative framework and aims to align Ukraine's chemical safety regulations with EU standards. Foreign companies that are importers, manufacturers or represented by a local sole representative, companies that sell chemicals (substances/mixtures) on the Ukrainian market, as well as downstream users of these chemicals will be affected by Ukraine REACH.

The Measures on the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 12) were implemented two years ago on January 1, 2021. It has not only optimized and adjusted the registration types and relevant data requirements to lessen the burden on enterprises, but also focused on environmental risk prevention and control for new chemical substances with high environmental risks. In addition, MEE Order 12 has specified the registration standards and improved the approval requirements for new chemical substances in the review and evaluation, stating the specific circumstances for approval, disapproval, reapplication, change, withdrawal, and revocation of registrations.

On November 23, 2022, Bill PL 6120/2019 was approved by the Commission of Economic Development, Industry, Trade, and Commercial Services (CDEICS) of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies and has been submitted to the Commission on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship (CCJS) for further review. If the Bill successfully passes the review, it will act as the Brazilian REACH Regulation. Domestic enterprises involved in exporting chemicals to Brazil should pay close attention to the Bill. If the Bill becomes law, Brazil will become the third country in South America, to set up chemical management rules, after Chile and Colombia.