Sun Chemical has released its Autumn 2024 Regulatory Newsletter which offers customers a comprehensive guide to the important global regulatory updates from the last year that impact the printing and packaging markets.

Bob Kendrick, director corporate regulatory, commented, ‘Sun Chemical releases regulatory newsletters twice a year with the intent to make it easier for our customers to comply with the regulations that affect their businesses. Through our sustainable product offerings, global customer support team and informational newsletters, we are consistently committed to helping our industry partners and customers be better prepared to face the industry’s ever-changing regulatory landscape.’

The latest newsletter features updates to global regulations on the usage of bisphenols, carcinogens and other chemicals in food contact materials, cosmetics and packaging inks. The report also highlights updated timelines for bans on potentially harmful substances, including an anticipated delay of the universal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) restriction.

Some of the latest regulatory updates featured in the newsletter include the:

  • Proposed update to PCB limit values under the recent amendment of the European Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation
  • Classification of acrylonitrile as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
  • Updates to Washington State’s Toxic Free Cosmetics Act to include formaldehyde releasing agents and lead at 1ppm or above as prohibited substances in cosmetic products
  • Restrictions on chemicals in food contact materials (FCM), including a proposed ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and the introduction of purity criteria for plastics under the 18th amendment to the Plastics Regulation
  • Limiting of mineral oil values to under 0.1 percent in packaging inks in France beginning 1 January, 2025
  • Delay in universal PFAs restriction due to an unforeseen number of public comments
  • Finalisation of the REACH restrictions roadmap to outline the timelines for bans on major substances, including bisphenols, lead chromates and carcinogens, among others
  • Identification by ACSH of nine chemicals and chemical groups to be considered for binding occupational exposure limits, including titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and poorly soluble low toxicity particulates
  • Evaluation of paints and microplastic releasers for possible regulation in California under the Safer Consumer Products program
  • Ukraine’s approval of classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) regulation as the country moves toward EU membership
  • Addition of 5,000 substances to the Swedish Chemicals Agency’s PRIO searchable database of hazardous substances
  • Issuance of a final standard for the classification and labeling of chemicals by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to enter into effect 1 August, 2025

Sun Chemical’s products, tools and technologies are designed to help brand owners and converters comply with evolving industry regulations while meeting consumer demand. In addition to its Regulatory Newsletters, Sun Chemical offers an annual Corporate Sustainability Report to highlight new environmentally friendly products and services.