On November 20, 2025, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers of India issued multiple notifications announcing the withdrawal of six previously issued Quality Control Orders. This decision was made by the DCPC based on public interest considerations and in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The withdrawal took effect immediately upon announcement. Compliance actions already completed or initiated prior to the withdrawal remain unaffected.

On December 3, 2025, the European Parliament and Council formally adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/2439, amending the chemical labeling regulations passed in 2024.

To support the future implementation of the ESPR, this report outlines methods for defining and tracking Substances of Concern (SoC) in products and throughout their lifecycle.

The first report must be submitted by May 31, 2026, and must contain estimated emission data for the year 2025.

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 21, 2025, the European Commission released three draft proposals to upgrade and integrate three categories of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)—chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-21 PFCAs)—into Part A of Annex I to the EU POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The move aims to comprehensively prohibit their production, circulation, and use within the EU, with only minimal transitional exemptions granted to a very limited number of industries.

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 10, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a significant proposal to adjust reporting rules for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If finalized, manufacturers would no longer need to submit complex data to the EPA for four key categories: low-concentration scenarios, imported articles, byproducts/impurities, and small-scale research and development (R&D) uses.

On November 18, 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its 12th recommendation for authorization, proposing for the first time to include four Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), including melamine, into the REACH Authorisation List. If adopted by the European Commission, companies will need to submit applications and pass reviews to continue using these substances in the future.

On November 10, 2025, the Office of the China's Narcotics Control Commission issued the Notice on Preventing the Diversion of Substances and Non-Scheduled Chemicals and Equipment Used in Drug Manufacturing, aiming to strengthen the control of substances used in drug production in accordance with the law.