GB/T 17519 - 2013 Guidance on Compilation of SDS for Chemical Products is Officially Published
GB/T 17519 - 2013 Guidance on Compilation of Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products is published and will come into force as of 31st January 2014, to replace GB/T 17519.2 - 2003.

Japan Updates Priority Assessment Chemical Substances List
Japan announced 22 newly classified and 2 eliminated Priority Assessment Chemical Substances (PACs) in the Japan Government Gazette issued on 20 Dec 2013.

Taiwan’s Newly Revised TCSCA Formally Announced
The revised TCSCA was promulgated on 11 Dec 2013. A new round of Supplemental Existing Chemical Substance Nomination (SECN) will be opened in Q1 or Q2 of 2014 to update Taiwan’s existing chemical substances inventory.

K-REACH's Subordinate Statutes to be Established Based on Task Force's Interim Conclusion
Korea's MoE is now working hard preparing the subordinate statutes of K-REACH based on the TF's interim conclusions. MoE will hold a public hearing on 27 Dec and may introduce the drafts of these documents on the same day.

China Officially Accepts Domestic Non-special Use Cosmetics without Animal Testing
On 16 Dec, CFDA updated rules for filing of non-special use cosmetics produced in China, which has officially removed mandatory animal testing.

CFDA Critically Checks the Authenticity of Free Sale Certificates for Registration of Imported Cosmetics
On 16 Dec, CFDA released a letter indicating stringent examination on the authenticity of free sale certificates for registration of imported cosmetic products as some applicants were found involved in forgery.

China Gets Tough on Licensing Criteria for Baby Formula Manufacturers
On 16 Dec, CFDA updated regulations for examination on production licensing for baby formula in China, which significantly and comprehensively increase licensing criteria.

NHFPC Issues National Standards of Food Additive Labeling and Flavorings
On 6 Dec., NHFPC issued 75 new food safety national standards including General Rules for Labeling of Food Additives and General Rules for Flavorings, which will be formally implemented since June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2014 respectively.

Ban on OEM Production of Health Food to be Implemented
CFDA promulgated the Announcement to Further Regulate Health Food Supervision and Management and Crack down on Illegal Activities at the end of September 2013. The announcement bans OEM production, operation and importation of health food.

CFDA Prohibits Outsourcing, Rebranding and Subpackaging of Baby Formula
On 27 Nov, CFDA announced the prohibition of milk powders for infants and young children (0-36 months) produced by outsourcing, rebranding or sub-packaging in China.

Zhejiang Glyphosate Executives Arrested for Environmental Crime
Zhejiang's Police announced that 62 people have been transferred into police custody and high level executives including both Jinfanda's president and vice general manager and Wynca's HSE manager are all to face prosecution.

China MoA Issued Restriction/Ban on 7 Active Ingredients
On Dec 9, China MoA issued the Announcement 2032 to ban/restrict 7 pesticides: chlorsulfuron, metsufuron-methyl, ethametsulfuron,asomat, urbacide,chlorpyrifos and triazophos.

Three Administrative Management Categories in China New Chemical Substance Notification: General, Hazardous, Hazardous of Priority Environmental Concern
China new chemical substance notified through Simplified Notification (general case) and Regular Notification will be identified as General, Hazardous and Hazardous of Priority Environmental Concern taking into account their hazard properties.

Expediting Simplified Notification (General Case) of China New Chemical Substance Notification– Advice for non-Chinese entities
Simplified notification (general case) can be expedited by adhering to the key principles mentioned during this article relating to data waving, customs clearance, sample delivery and testing requirements.

A Rationale for ICAMA's Establishment of the Pesticide Registration Review Office
In the next three years, the office will choose 10 to 20 active ingredients/year for reassessment, which will be reassessed in terms of safety, efficacy and economic impact.