The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken unprecedented enforcement action against an occupational health service provider, issuing its first ever Prohibition Notice in this context following serious deficiencies in health surveillance delivery.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened a 60 day public consultation on the Committee for Socio‑Economic Analysis (SEAC) draft opinion concerning the proposed restriction of chromium(VI) substances under EU REACH. With comments invited until 17 August 2026, this marks a pivotal stage in what is likely to become one of the most consequential restrictions affecting surface treatment, electroplating and related sectors.

On 15 June 2026, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Agency under UK REACH, added 15 entries to the UK REACH Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) following a six week consultation process. This marks a significant milestone as the first substantive update to the UK REACH Candidate List since the end of the Brexit implementation period in December 2020.

A challenge by a coalition of European public health, environmental and consumer organisations led by Pesticide Action Network (PAN Europe) over recent developments in EU chemicals and product legislation have once again brought into focus a familiar but unresolved tension: how do you strike an appropriate balance between regulatory efficiency and maintaining high standards of protection for human health and the environment?

An eye-watering €200 million fine imposed by the European Commission on the online sales platform Temu under the Digital Services Act (DSA) provides a clear signal that online marketplaces are now firmly within the scope of product safety and chemicals compliance scrutiny. While the DSA is often viewed as a digital regulation focused on platform governance, its practical application is increasingly intersecting with traditional product safety regimes – including those governing hazardous chemicals in consumer goods.

On 20 May 2026, the UK Government confirmed a significant shift in direction for chemicals regulation, signalling that UK REACH will now align closely with EU REACH, with divergence occurring only in very limited circumstances. This represents one of the most important strategic developments in the post‑Brexit evolution of UK chemicals policy.

Two recent peer reviewed publications add further weight to the growing body of evidence linking PFAS exposure to adverse human health outcomes. While neither fundamentally changes the direction of travel, both reinforce an important point for businesses: scientific understanding of PFAS risks continues to evolve in ways that support increasingly precautionary regulatory approaches.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new sector specific guidance on controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) when working with engineered stone, alongside a nationwide inspection campaign targeting fabricators and related businesses. These developments represent a significant and deliberate shift in regulatory expectations, with clear implications for dutyholders under COSHH.

On 11 May 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a targeted amendment to the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) under the ‘Omnibus X’ simplification package, extending certain data protection periods for active substances under the EU biocides review programme.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently prosecuted Cardiff University following a serious failure to manage workplace exposure risks, resulting in a £280,000 fine after two employees developed occupational asthma.

European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall has confirmed that the Commission does not intend to reopen REACH at this stage, signalling a clear shift away from a full legislative revision of the EU’s core chemicals framework.

On 13 April 2026, the OECD published a detailed report in its Series on Risk Management of Chemicals examining how to validate the chemical content of recycled plastics across different applications and regulatory regimes. The report highlights a critical issue at the intersection of circular economy policy and chemical safety regulation: ensuring that recycled materials do not reintroduce or concentrate substances of concern.