Once delegates have collected their name tags they can help themselves to refreshments and interact with our sponsors and other attendees.
We will kick off the event at 9:15, covering all the important announcements for the day.
This presentation highlights key updates in EU chemical legislation, reflecting the evolving regulatory landscape aimed at enhancing health and environmental protection. It focuses on major policy updates and legislative initiatives currently shaping the future of chemical management in the EU.
Key Topics Covered:
● REACH Revision – The REACH regulation is undergoing revision, though the proposal has been delayed. Focus areas include simplification, improved data requirements, and stronger enforcement.
● PFAS Restrictions – A broad proposal is in development to restrict PFAS due to their persistence and risks. Final decisions are expected after detailed stakeholder consultation.
● Microplastics Regulation – New EU rules target intentionally added microplastics in products, aiming to reduce environmental release and pollution.
● CLP Regulation Update – The Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation is being updated to include new hazard classes and improve hazard communication.
● F-Gases and Other Substances – Measures are being introduced to phase down harmful substances like F-gases, Chromium VI, and certain siloxanes.
● Essential Use Concept – A framework is being developed to allow hazardous chemical use only when necessary for health, safety, or critical societal functions.
Marko Susnik, senior advisor at Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)
This session will provide a timely update on the direction of UK chemicals regulation, with a focus on proposed changes to UK REACH and associated frameworks.
Key Topics Covered:
● The UK government’s consultation on extending UK REACH registration deadlines;
● An overview of the proposed Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm);
● Implications for data requirements, cost-sharing, and SME access;
● Divergence from EU CLP and its impact on classification and labeling; and
● What to expect in the next phase of UK regulatory policy.
The British Coatings Federation (BCF)
Key Topics Covered:
● Regulatory Fragmentation (e.g., EU vs. US vs. China).
● Supply Chain Complexity (third-party compliance)
● Enforcement and Penalties
● Technology and Data Management
● Audit and Monitoring: audits in remote or high-risk regions
● Reputation and ESG Pressure
This presentation examines the fragmented global implementation of the GHS and its real-world implications for internationally active businesses. It will highlight key regulatory differences and how diverging harmonized classifications impact global trade. Practical strategies will be shared to navigate compliance challenges across jurisdictions. Finally, we’ll introduce EPY X, an intelligent solution that simplifies and accelerates GHS compliance worldwide.
Key Topics Covered:
● A brief introduction to the GHS
● Global GHS Implementation: a fragmented reality
● Harmonised classification systems across key markets: EU, Americas, Asia, Australia
● Achieving global regulatory compliance with automated solutions: EPY X
Ziannah Pasion, regulatory affairs and sales specialist at EPY
The global chemical sector stands at a defining crossroads. Pressured by climate goals, geopolitical uncertainty, and disruptive technologies, the industry must evolve faster and smarter. This high-level panel brings together trailblazers from across the value chain to explore how resilience, sustainability, and breakthrough innovation can power the next era of chemical transformation.
Far beyond just recovery, this session will spotlight how companies are embedding agility, digital tools, and green chemistry into the DNA of their operations, reshaping the sector for long-term success.
Discussions:
Resilience Beyond Crisis: Operating in an Unstable World
● How are chemical companies reinventing supply chains to withstand global shocks?
● Is “just-in-case” the new normal? What does strategic inventory and localization look like now?
● How is AI being used to build predictive, adaptive manufacturing systems?
Innovation as a Strategic Imperative
● Where are the most exciting breakthroughs emerging—biopolymers, low-carbon fuels, digital chemistry?
● How do large players and startups collaborate effectively in a historically conservative industry?
● Are innovation cycles accelerating fast enough to meet market and planetary demands?
Net-Zero, Circularity & Compliance: From Pressure to Performance
● How are companies aligning innovation with evolving global regulations (e.g., EU Green Deal, REACH, China’s “dual carbon” goals)?
● What are the barriers to scaling circular chemistry and carbon capture in real operations?
● Is sustainability a true growth driver or just a compliance cost?
● Overview of the Treaty Process
– Origins and mandate from UNEA
– Timeline of negotiations (INC-1 to INC-5)
● Current State of Negotiations
– Summary of the latest draft text
– Key provisions under discussion: production limits, product bans, EPR, and design standards
– Diverging positions among negotiating blocs (high-ambition vs. more flexible approaches)
● What’s at Stake for the Plastics Industry
– Potential impact on resin production and product design
– Implications for global trade and supply chain compliance
– Role of industry innovation in achieving treaty goals
● How the Industry is Engaging
– Plastics Association participation and advocacy
– Promoting science-based, practical, and globally aligned solutions
– Case studies: circularity, recycling infrastructure, and sustainable product design
● Next Steps & What Members Should Watch For
– Timeline to treaty finalization and implementation
– What businesses can do now to prepare
– How the Plastics Association will continue to represent members' interests
Dr Geoff Mackey, UK country manager at Plastics Europe
This presentation addresses the challenges and actions needed to shift regulatory frameworks toward fully integrating Non-Animal Methods (NAMs) in chemical and consumer product safety assessments. Despite legal requirements, the principle of animal testing as a “last resort” is inconsistently upheld, and many regulations still default to outdated animal-based models.
Key Topics Covered:
● Persistent regulatory gaps and slow adoption of NAMs due to outdated assumptions.
● Animal Free Safety Assessment Collaboration (AFSA)’s global strategy, led by Humane World for Animals, targets 8 key markets to establish a precedent and promote NAM enforcement.
● Development of science-based guidance to support regulatory use of validated non-animal tools.
● Integration of Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) to support long-term regulatory change.
● Capacity building through the AFSA Master Class, designed to upskill regulators and stakeholders.
● A vision for consistent, ethical, and scientifically advanced animal-free safety assessments.
Jay Ingram, director, chemicals at Humane World for Animals
Ukraine REACH (UA REACH) came into force on January 26, 2025. This presentation offers a practical update on preregistration under UA REACH, drawing on nine months of hands-on experience. It will translate real-world cases into clear compliance roadmaps, unpack why “simplified” registrations aren’t really that simple, outline how CLP and SDS requirements are tailored to Ukrainian law, and highlight what customs officials and inspectors will begin to enforce from January 2026.
Key Topics Covered:
● Core legal requirements and responsibilities;
● Pre-registration timelines, common submission errors, and workarounds;
● The myth of simplified registration; and
● First-cohort insights: processing trends and enforcement outlook.
Inessa Kiristaeva, Customer Happiness Manager at REGARTIS and team leader of REGARTIS Ukraine
This presentation provides an overview of major regulatory developments across the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular focus on South Korea, China, and Japan. It highlights current compliance challenges, evolving chemical registration frameworks, and emerging regional trends relevant to global supply chains.
Key Topics Covered:
South Korean Regulatory Updates:
● Progress of 100–1,000 tonnage band registrations
● Challenges in registration processes and data requirements
● Recent updates to K-BPR and SDS compliance under KOSHA
China Chemical Regulations:
● Key hurdles in MEE Order 12 (China REACH) implementation
● QR code labeling and compliance across different provinces
● Updates on China's GHS alignment and carbon certification efforts
Developments in Japan:
● Overview of Japan’s chemical control laws and key compliance obligations
● New trends in chemical regulation, labeling, and risk management
● Introduction to CIRS Japan services and local support for regulatory navigation
Kyonga Park, general manager at CIRS Japan
TBD
Elif Koç, managing partner, CHEMLEG
Moderated by Tim Doggett CEO of the Chemical Business Association (CBA)
This panel focuses on the challenges and solutions for securing the chemical supply chain amid global disruptions and tightening regulations. Experts will discuss how companies can manage risks from geopolitical shifts, environmental factors, and evolving compliance requirements. The role of digital technologies in enhancing supply chain visibility and resilience will also be explored. Panelists will share strategies on supplier diversification, regulatory readiness, and integrating ESG principles to build stronger, more adaptable supply chains. Attendees will gain insights to navigate complexity and safeguard operations in an uncertain world.
Discussions:
Resilience and Risk Management
● How do you assess and mitigate risks in chemical supply chains?
● Lessons learned from recent supply disruptions (including COVID, Ukraine, and the Red Sea)
Regulatory Compliance and International Standards
● How do companies stay compliant with REACH, TSCA, GHS, and other global regulations?
● What challenges do SMEs face in meeting compliance?
Transparency and Digitalization
● Are digital tools such as ERP, blockchain, and AI being used effectively?
● How do you manage traceability in multi-tiered supply chains?
Sustainability and ESG
● How are ESG goals affecting sourcing and supplier selection?
● How can companies balance compliance, cost, and sustainability?