On June 4, 2026, the 18th Chemical Regulatory Annual Conference — CRAC Italy 2026 — was successfully held at The St. Regis Florence, Italy. Organized by REACH24H Consulting Group with support from our partners The European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI) and Centro Reach Srl, the event marked the first stop of the CRAC Global 2026 series and brought together regulatory representatives, industry professionals and technical experts to discuss the evolving chemical compliance landscape across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and emerging markets.
Under the theme “Global Chemical Compliance & Regulatory Outlook,” CRAC Italy 2026 focused on practical regulatory developments affecting companies that manufacture, import, formulate, distribute or use chemical substances and chemical-containing products across multiple jurisdictions.
As global chemical regulations become more interconnected, companies are facing rising expectations in inventory status determination, registration planning, hazard communication, supply chain transparency, data ownership and post-market compliance. CRAC Italy 2026 provided a focused platform for cross-regional regulatory dialogue and practical compliance exchange.
Key Highlights from CRAC Italy 2026
The conference covered eight major regulatory topics across mature and emerging chemical markets, including:
A recurring theme throughout the event was that global chemical compliance is moving beyond one-time market access approval. Companies now need to manage regulatory change as part of long-term supply chain resilience.
China: New Chemical Substance Environmental Management in the Era of the Environmental Code
The conference opened with a presentation by Ms. Penny Peng, Technical Head of AP Chemical Registration Department at REACH24H Consulting Group China, on the environmental management registration of new chemical substances in China.
The session reviewed the evolution of China's new chemical substance management framework, from SEPA Order No. 17 and MEP Order No. 7 to the current Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances, commonly known as MEE Order No. 12. Since its implementation in 2021, MEE Order No. 12 has established a tiered compliance framework covering record notification, simplified registration and regular registration.
With the Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China, an English rendering of 《中华人民共和国生态环境法典》 promulgated earlier this year and scheduled to take effect on August 15, 2026, China's environmental management of new chemical substances is expected to enter a more systematic and legally grounded stage. Relevant supporting rules and technical documents are also in the process of revision.
In light of the provisions on new chemical substance management under the Environmental Code, Ms. Peng first introduced the current compliance requirements under MEE Order No. 12, and then explained the background of the regulatory revision and the compliance outlook for new substance management in the Environmental Code era.
For companies exporting new chemical substances to China, early portfolio review, IECSC status confirmation, importer coordination and data readiness remain essential. More information on the current compliance pathways is available through REACH24H's China New Chemical Substance Registration service page. Companies may also refer to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's official chemical regulation resources for regulatory background.
Business takeaway: The implementation of the Environmental Code is expected to strengthen the legal basis and regulatory intensity of new chemical substance environmental management in China. Companies should closely monitor the revision progress of MEE Order No. 12 and related guidance documents, and prepare for the transition between the current and future regulatory frameworks.
Europe: REACH Revision Paused, Regulatory Modernisation Continues
Mr. Otto Linher, Senior Expert, REACH Unit, DG GROW, European Commission, provided an update on EU REACH and the future of chemical safety legislation in Europe.
The presentation noted that the European Commission announced on April 27, 2026 that the full REACH revision would not move forward at this stage. This decision was linked to the need for stability, clarity and predictability for industry. However, the session also made clear that EU chemicals regulation continues to evolve through other mechanisms.
Key areas discussed included simplification and modernisation through comitology procedures, updates to REACH annexes, improved uptake of New Approach Methodologies, stronger enforcement against non-compliant products, and continued attention to online sales and border controls. The Chemicals Industry Action Plan was also highlighted as part of the EU's broader response to industrial competitiveness, energy pressure, decarbonisation and regulatory complexity.
PFAS remained one of the most closely watched topics. The presentation noted that the universal PFAS restriction remains under scientific assessment, with final opinions from ECHA's scientific committees expected by the end of 2026. Companies may monitor ECHA's PFAS restriction updates and the European Commission's REACH Regulation page for official information. REACH24H also provides support through its EU REACH Registration and Only Representative services.
Business takeaway: The pause of a full REACH revision should not be interpreted as reduced regulatory pressure. Companies should continue monitoring PFAS, enforcement and dossier maintenance requirements.
Turkey: KKDIK Temporary Registration Enters a Critical Window
The Turkey session was presented by Mr. Bektaş KILIÇ, Chemical Engineer, and Mr. Nihat Yaman, Head of Chemicals Management Department, both from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Turkey.
The presentation explained that the technical requirements of Turkey's KKDIK By-law are broadly aligned with EU REACH, while administrative implementation differs because Turkey is not an EU Member State. Manufacturers and importers of substances in Turkey at one tonne or more per year are subject to registration obligations, and non-Turkish manufacturers may appoint an Only Representative established in Turkey.
A major focus was the temporary registration facilitation introduced under the Procedures and Principles published by the Ministry. Companies producing or importing one tonne or more of a substance annually in Turkey must complete either temporary registration or full registration by September 30, 2026, regardless of tonnage band.
From October 1, 2026, customs and on-site checks are expected to verify whether producers, importers and Only Representatives hold the appropriate registration numbers. Companies may refer to Turkey's Chemicals Helpdesk and REACH24H's KKDIK Turkey REACH service page for further information.
Business takeaway: Companies supplying the Turkish market should confirm registration roles, data availability and provisional registration strategy as early as possible.
United States: TSCA Chemical Management and Product-Specific Compliance
Mr. Robert Kiefer, General Manager of REACH24H USA Office, presented an overview of U.S. chemical management and detergent regulations.
The session outlined the multi-agency structure of U.S. chemical management oversight: EPA administers TSCA for industrial chemicals and FIFRA for pesticides; FDA regulates products such as food contact materials, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices; CPSC oversees consumer product safety requirements; and OSHA manages workplace hazard communication. In addition, state-level restrictions and disclosure rules can impose obligations beyond federal requirements.
The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) is the primary U.S. federal law regulating the manufacture, import, processing, distribution, and disposal of chemical substances to protect human health and the environment. Under TSCA, companies must determine whether a substance is listed on the TSCA Inventory and whether it is active/inactive, confidential, subject to a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) or otherwise restricted. Where a substance is not listed and no applicable exemption is available, companies may need to submit a Premanufacture Notice (PMN) before manufacture or import. EPA's TSCA Inventory and TSCA import requirements provide important reference points for importers.
The presentation also discussed detergent regulatory compliance, where companies may need to consider federal consumer product or workplace hazard communication rules, state disclosure requirements, California Proposition 65, VOC limits, PFAS restrictions and sustainability-related certification expectations.
Business takeaway: U.S. chemical compliance should be assessed not only by federal TSCA inventory status, but also by product type, intended use, and state-level chemical bans and restrictions.
Korea and Japan: Inventory, Communication and Sector-Specific Compliance
Ms. Bi Bo, Senior Global Regulatory Consultant at REACH24H EU Office, presented the latest updates on K-REACH. The session reviewed Korea's chemical regulatory framework, including K-REACH, K-CCA and K-OSHA, and highlighted the continuing importance of registration, notification, hazard communication and MSDS updates.
Under K-REACH, existing substances manufactured or imported at one tonne or more per year are subject to registration. For new substances, the threshold change effective January 1, 2025 means substances below one tonne per year are subject to notification, while substances at one tonne or more per year require registration. The session also addressed “hazard-unconfirmed substances” and related MSDS communication obligations. REACH24H provides further support through its K-REACH compliance service and Korean MSDS submission and CBI application service.
Mr. Nemo Yuan, General Manager of REACH24H Japan Office, presented Japan's chemical and food contact material regulatory outlook. The session explained that Japan's regulation of industrial chemicals and food contact materials continues to become more detailed, and companies should pay attention to both CSCL new substance notification strategy and food contact material positive list compliance.
For CSCL, the current new substance notification routes include small volume notification, low volume notification and standard notification. Small volume and low volume notifications require annual renewal and are not listed in the inventory, while standard notification does not require annual renewal and may be listed as an existing substance after five years. For companies planning long-term access to the Japanese market, the choice of notification route should therefore be assessed carefully.
The session also noted that, for 2026 submissions, the small volume notification system is moving from e-Gov to GbizID. As the application schedule may be subject to uncertainty during the system transition, companies should closely monitor the latest submission windows and plan their filing timeline in advance. METI's CSCL information page, NITE's J-CHECK database, and REACH24H's Japan CSCL and ISHL service page provide useful reference points.
For food contact materials, Japan's positive list system under the Food Sanitation Act and MHLW Notification No. 370 requires substances not included in the positive list to undergo the appropriate inclusion or safety review process before compliant use. Companies should review formulation components and avoid relying solely on voluntary industry management mechanisms where legal compliance under the positive list system is required.
Business takeaway: Korea and Japan both require careful inventory checks and downstream communication planning, but companies should avoid applying a single “Asia compliance” assumption across both markets. For Japan, companies should also pay close attention to CSCL submission windows during the GbizID system transition and assess whether FCM components are covered by the positive list system.
Emerging Markets: Brazil, Ukraine and Asia-Pacific Updates
Ms. Arnola Lilaj, Regulatory and Government Affairs Specialist at REACH24H EU Office, presented on chemical regulatory developments in Brazil and Ukraine as two important emerging markets.
Brazil's Law 15.022/2024, which entered into force in November 2024, aims to establish a National Inventory of Chemical Substances and a chemical risk control framework. The substance registration system is expected to open in November 2027. Local manufacturers, importers or Only Representatives are expected to register substances manufactured or imported at or above one tonne per year based on the average annual volume over the previous three years. Mixtures and articles themselves are exempt from the registration. REACH24H's Brazil REACH service page provides an overview of expected compliance considerations.
Ukraine REACH was also discussed as a REACH-like framework aligned with EU-style chemical management. The pre-registration window has been extended to January 26, 2027, and formal registration deadlines are staged by tonnage and hazard profile from 2028 to 2033. For companies supplying the Ukrainian market, pre-registration should be treated as an immediate priority! More information is available through REACH24H's Ukraine REACH compliance service.
The final session was presented by Ms. Hannah Zhuang, Head of AP Chemical Registration Department at REACH24H Consulting Group China, covering chemical management in Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
Vietnam was a major focus. Its Chemical Law No. 69/2025 took effect on January 1, 2026 and introduced a chemical substance registration system for the first time. By 2028 when NCI is finalized, new chemical substances not listed in the National Chemical Inventory must complete registration before entering the Vietnamese market, with a review period of 90 working days. Where a substance is listed in at least two reference inventories or systems among ECHA/EU REACH, TSCA and Japan ENCS, a simplified registration route may be available. REACH24H has published a Vietnam Law on Chemicals compliance service page and an insight article on Vietnam's New Law on Chemicals No. 69/2025/QH15.
The session also reviewed the Philippines PICCS and PMPIN framework, Australia's risk-based compliance pathways under AICIS, and New Zealand's chemical management framework under HSNO, EPA and NZIoC. Official references include the Philippine EMB's PMPIN information page, the Australian AICIS website, and the New Zealand EPA's New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals.
Business takeaway: Emerging and Asia-Pacific markets are moving toward more structured inventory and registration systems. Companies should conduct market-by-market checks rather than relying on one regional compliance strategy.
Strengthening Cross-Regional Regulatory Dialogue
Since its establishment in 2009, the Chemical Regulatory Annual Conference has served as a platform for regulatory communication, technical exchange and industry collaboration. CRAC Italy 2026 continued this mission by providing a focused setting for companies to understand regulatory change, market access risks and supply chain obligations across major and emerging chemical markets.
The Florence session also reflected REACH24H's continued commitment to facilitating practical communication between regulators, industry stakeholders and technical experts. By bringing together perspectives from Europe, Turkey, China, the United States, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific region, the event helped companies place local regulatory developments within a broader global compliance context.
As chemical regulations become more interconnected and enforcement expectations continue to evolve, companies operating globally will need to move from reactive compliance to systematic compliance planning. Substance portfolio mapping, data ownership, downstream communication, importer coordination, MSDS management and regulatory monitoring are becoming core components of business resilience.
Following the Florence session, the CRAC Global 2026 series will continue with CRAC Singapore on September 28–29, 2026, CRAC Japan on October 14, 2026, and CRAC China on October 21–23, 2026 in Fujian, China.
REACH24H will continue to work with regulators, industry associations and companies worldwide to support practical, science-based and business-relevant regulatory communication across global markets.
