July 2026

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has officially added microplastics to its Candidate Chemicals List. This administrative step does not immediately impose new requirements on manufacturers or retailers. The DTSC will now evaluate consumer products containing microplastics and consider future regulatory actions where warranted. Economic operators producing goods that shed microplastics should prepare for potential future scrutiny.

On 18 June 2026, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) took action in response to the severe environmental persistence of microplastics and their detection in ecosystems and human tissue by placing microplastics on the Candidate Chemicals List under the Safer Consumer Products program. Under this program, California establishes the legal foundation for future regulatory action. The agency will conduct research to identify specific product and chemical combinations that pose a risk. If a combination is identified, it will be proposed as a Priority Product. Any proposed rulemaking to list a Priority Product containing or generating microplastics would begin with a public announcement, workshop, and comment period to seek input from interested parties before the formal rulemaking process.

Currently, no specific consumer products are subject to new compliance requirements. The regulation broadly concerns any consumer product sold in California that might contain or release microplastics during use.

Illinois enacted the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act on 10 July 2026 which prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetic products containing specific intentionally added chemicals starting from 1 July 2028.

On 10 July 2026, Illinois enacted Public Act 104-0545 (HB 3409): The Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act. This Act bans manufacturing, selling, delivering, holding, or offering for sale cosmetic products in Illinois that contain the following intentionally added ingredients:

PFAS Substances (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Additional states, including Maryland and California, ban this same baseline list of intentionally added cosmetic chemicals, though California has since expanded its restrictions to cover additional substances.

Exemptions apply for technically unavoidable trace quantities resulting from impurities, manufacturing processes, or storage, provided the product was manufactured with the intent to comply.

The effective date is 1 July 2028.

In the US, when hazards are identified in consumer products, they will be recalled and published in the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Recent Recalls on the CPSC website, which is updated daily. The US recalls from 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026 are summarized below:

*Other Hazards include Poisoning Hazard, Chemical Hazard, Laceration Hazard, Crash Hazard, Crushing Hazard, Skin Irritation Risk, Electric Shock Hazard, Explosion Hazard and Eye Irritation Risk with a frequency of less than 2.

*Other Categories include Outdoor Living Items, Computer / Audio / Video / Other Electronics & Accessories, Sporting Goods / Equipment, Footwear and Protective Equipment with a frequency of less than 4.

For a complete list, click here.

In Canada, when hazards are identified in consumer products, they will be recalled and published in the Recalls and Safety Alerts Database on the Health Canada website, which is updated daily. The Canada recalls from 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026 are summarized below:

For a complete list, click here.

The updated version of test standards EN ISO 12870 for spectacle frames and EN ISO 12312-1 that defines safety, optical, and construction requirements for non-prescription sunglasses and clip-ons are officially harmonized for the European Union.

Spectacle frame test requirements EN ISO 12870:2025 published in 2025 are now official and mandatory in the European Union (EU). Referring to the current Official Journal dated 17 June 2026, EN ISO 12870:2025 replaces EN ISO 12870:2018, with an effective date beginning 17 June 2026.

Test requirements for sunglasses, EN ISO 12312-1:2022+A11:2024 published in 2022 and amended in 2024, are also officially mandatory in the EU.

Referring to the current Official Journal dated 16 June 2026, EN ISO 12312-1:2022+A11:2024 (harmonized European standard for afocal (non-prescription) sunglasses and clip-ons for general, everyday use) replaces EN ISO 12312-1:2013+A1:2015 harmonized international standard defining the optical, mechanical, and physical safety requirements for non-prescription sunglasses and clip-ons for general, everyday use) with an effective date from 16 June 2026.

EN ISO 12312-1:2013+A1:2015 will be legally withdrawn on 16 December 2027 with a transition period of 1.5 years.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission published in May 2026, a “Study on Digital Product Passport (DPP) content for textile apparel products under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)”. The study identifies structured DPP data points across four content categories, a tiered granularity framework, a three-tier access rights model, and data governance principles to inform a forthcoming delegated act expected tentatively in 2027. Economic operators in the textile apparel sector, particularly manufacturers, importers, and distributors, should begin monitoring developments closely in preparation for anticipated DPP compliance obligations.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (EU) 2024/1781 entered into force on 18 July 2024, establishing a horizontal framework for the sustainability of physical goods placed on the European Union (EU) market. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) introduced under Article 9 and Annex III ESPR, is the primary mechanism to operationalize product information requirements in a digital, structured, and accessible format. It also serves as the default digital tool for market surveillance compliance documentation under Articles 4(6)(iii) and 36(3) ESPR.

Textile apparel has been explicitly prioritized in the Commission's first ESPR Working Plan (2024–2030), and a dedicated delegated act is expected tentatively in 2027. A study on DDP content for textile apparel products under the ESPR was published by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in May 2026. Two key infrastructure milestones are approaching: the EU DPP Registry (Article 13 ESPR) is to be established by 19 July 2026, and the ESPR Web Portal (Article 14 ESPR) which will provide public and role-based access to DPP information across product groups.

1. What products are affected?

The DPP obligation will apply to textile apparel products placed on the EU market, defined as containing at least 80% textile fibers by weight. Products in scope cover ten garment categories:

• T-shirts

• Shirts and blouses

• Sweaters and mid-layers

• Jackets and coats

• Pants and shorts

• Dresses, skirts and jumpsuits

• Leggings, stockings, tights and socks

• Underwear

• Swimwear

• Textile apparel accessories

Technical apparel (workwear, sportswear) is included where it falls within the above categories.

Excluded products:

• Smart textiles and electronic textiles (e-textiles)

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) — Regulation (EU) 2016/425

• Medical devices — Regulation (EU) 2017/745

• Toys — Directive 2009/48/EC

• All intermediate products (fabrics, yarns, fibers)

2. DPP system information

The JRC study proposes a tiered, proportionate granularity framework and access rights, balancing traceability needs with industry readiness.

3. Proposed DPP Content

The JRC study moved from an abstract promise to an operational checklist and organized the data points into four categories.

Product Identification and Classification

Producer Identification

Product Information

Compliance Documentation

4. Data Governance

The economic operator placing the product on the EU market (manufacturer or importer) is responsible for creating, populating, maintaining, and registering the DPP.

DPP data must remain available for at least 10 years after the product is placed on the market (unless the delegated act specifies otherwise).

A decentralized storage model is proposed: only unique identifiers and limited metadata will be stored in the central EU DPP Registry; all substantive passport content will be hosted in decentralized systems operated by economic operators or authorized service providers.

5. Status

Draft preparatory study — not legally binding. Subject to open stakeholder consultation and cost-benefit impact assessment prior to adoption.

The binding requirements will be set by the textile delegated act, but it is the clearest preview yet of what brands will actually need to report.

On 09 July 2026, the United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with support from the Environment Agency, officially published proposals for nine substances to be identified as new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) for potential inclusion on the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Candidate List.

Following the recent addition of the first substances to the United Kingdom’s (UK) REACH SVHC Candidate List since the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a six-week public consultation on proposals to add nine additional substances or group of substances to the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Candidate List. The public consultation will be closed on 20 August 2026.

The nine proposed entries to be added to the UK REACH SVHC Candidate List are as follows:

Because these are already included as EU REACH SVHC, global supply chains should ideally already be tracking them. The primary change is the legal notification requirement specifically within the UK (Great Britain) market.

In May 2026, the French Ministry of Ecological Transition published an FAQ document to clarify the implementation of Law No. 2025-188 and Decree No. 2025-1376, which impose restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

France’s per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations, formalized under Decree No. 2025-1376, prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of products containing PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals". Effective as of 01 January 2026, the ban applies to cosmetics, apparel, footwear, waterproofing agents, and ski waxes.

The French Ministry of Ecological Transition published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for these regulations in May 2026. The FAQ is designed to assist the industries and professionals to understand the practical implications of the new clarifies several key issues for PFAS restrictions in France such as the scope of product bans, threshold values, analytical methods, exemptions, and the timeline for selling remaining stock.

On 10 December 2025, the European Commission published COM(2025) 981 final (Council doc. 16778/25, Interinstitutional File: 2025/0397 (COD)), proposing targeted amendments to the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 as part of the Second Environmental Omnibus Package.

The proposal introduces four amendments specific to the Battery Regulation: (1) a broadened producer definition, (2) a new Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) definition for battery labeling, (3) a shift from cell-level to module-level removability for Light Means of Transport (LMT) batteries, and (4) deletion of a periodic reporting obligation.

Status: currently awaiting committee decisions within the European Parliament

Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, adopted on 12 July 2023, established comprehensive rules on sustainability, performance, safety, collection, recycling and second life of batteries. As part of the Second Environmental Omnibus Package, proposed targeted amendments to the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 were introduced via COM(2025) 981 final (Council doc. 16778/25, Interinstitutional File: 2025/0397 (COD)), published on 10 December 2025 by the European Commission. The amendments proposed in COM(2025) 981 final are as follows:

1. Broadened Producer Definition - Art. 3(1), point (47)(d)

The current definition only captures cross-border sellers as “producers” when using distance contracts. The amendment removes this limitation: any person selling batteries in a Member State while established in another Member State or third country qualifies as a producer, irrespective of selling technique. This closes a gap for stationary retail (physical stores) and ensures Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) applies universally.

2. New Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) Definition - Art. 3(1), new point (69) & Annex VI, Part A, point 8

Art. 13 requires hazardous substance labeling but the scope was unclear. The proposal defines SVHC via dual reference: (a) Art. 57/59(1) REACH (ECHA Candidate List), and (b) Art. 57 REACH + Annex VI CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008. Annex VI, Part A, point 8 now requires labeling at ≥ 0.1% (w/w), excluding mercury, cadmium and lead.

Note:

REACH = Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals ECHA = European Chemicals Agency CLP = Classification, Labeling and Packaging

3. Light Means of Transport (LMT) Battery Removability - Art. 11(5)

The cell-level removability and replaceability requirement for LMT batteries is changed to module level. LMT batteries must be readily removable and replaceable by an independent professional at module level at any time during the product’s lifetime.

4. Deletion of Periodic Reporting - Art. 76(4)

The Commission’s obligation to publish a report every four years reviewing Member State battery waste data is deleted. Discretionary review authority is retained.

Summary of Key Amendments:

In Europe, when hazards are identified in non-food consumer products, the products will be recalled and published in the Safety Gate system, which is updated weekly. The European recalls from 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026 are summarized below:

*Other Hazards include Damage to Sight, Cut Hazard, Suffocation Hazard, Health Risk Hazard, Entrapment Hazard, Microbiological Hazard and Safety Risk Hazard with a frequency of less than 13.

*Other Categories include Machinery, Protective Equipment, Jewelry, Accessories, Footwear, Food Contact Material, Travel Items, Household Items and Car Accessories with a frequency of less than 10.

*Other Countries include Spain, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, Malta, Greece, Iceland, Croatia, Cyprus and Norway with a frequency of less than 9.

For a complete list, click here.

In China, when hazards are identified in consumer products, they will be recalled and published in the SAMR Defective Product Administrative Centre, which is updated daily. The China recalls from 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026 are summarized below:

*Other Hazards include Skin Irritation Risk, Crash Hazard, Impact Hazard, Safety Risk Hazard, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard, Suffocation Hazard and Entrapment Hazard with a frequency of less than 2.

For a complete list, click here.

The new test standards AS 16321-1, AS 16321-2 and AS/NZS ISO 16321-3 have been published in 2026 for eye and face protectors.

Australian standards AS 16321-1, the standard for eye and face protection for occupational use, AS 16321-2, the occupational safety standard specifying safety and performance requirements for eye and face protectors used during welding and related techniques, and AS/NZS ISO 16321-3, a regional adaptation of the international standard specifying performance and marking requirements for mesh-style eye and face protectors have been published in 2026.

The requirements in the AS 16321 series have been aligned and modified according to the updated version of the EN ISO 16321 series which is the international benchmark standard for occupational and educational eye and face protection. These test standards replace AS/NZS 1337.1:2010, the standard that specifies the minimum requirements for non-prescription personal eye and face protectors and AS/NZS 1337.6:2012, the standard for prescription safety eyewear, both of which have been published for more than 10 years.

The new test standards summarized are:

• AS 16321.1:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 1: General requirements (ISO 16321-1:2021, MOD), published on 29 May 2026

• AS 16321.2:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 2: Additional requirements for protectors used during welding and related techniques (ISO 16321-2:2021, MOD), published on 29 May 2026

• AS/NZS ISO 16321.3:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 3: Additional requirements for mesh protectors, published on 19 June 2026

AS/NZS 1337.1:2010, AS/NZS 1337.6:2012 as well as reference standards AS/NZS 1338.1:2012, AS/NZS 1338.2:2012 and AS/NZS 1338.3:2012 will remain current for 36 months from the date of publication of this document. After this time, they will be superseded by the AS 16321 series. For reference:

• AS/NZS 1338.1:2012 specifies the requirements for filters used in eye protectors to guard against high-intensity radiation generated during welding and allied operations

• AS/NZS 1338.2:2012 specifies the requirements for filters used in eye protectors to guard against ultraviolet (UV) radiation

• AS/NZS 1338.3:2012 (specifies the exact requirements for filters used in eye protectors designed to safeguard against infra-red (IR) radiation)

In Australia, when hazards are identified in consumer products, they will be recalled and published in the Recalls and Safety Alerts Database on the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission website, which is updated daily. The Australia recalls from 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026 are summarized below:

*Other Hazards include Aspiration Hazard, Damage to Sight, Health Risk Hazard, Drowning Hazard, Tip-Over Hazard, Crash Hazard, Impact Hazard, Laceration Hazard and Entrapment Hazard with a frequency of less than 2.

For a complete list, click here.