October 2026 Edition

ChemRegs Newsletter

ChemRegs Newsletter – October 2026

IMDG Code 43-26

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code 2026 Edition (inc. Amendment 43-26) has been published and is available as a hard copy (printed version) or as a digital edition via the IMO ePublications platform. It comes into force on 1 January 2028 but may be applied voluntarily as from 1 January 2027.

The current edition of the IMDG Code, 2024 Edition (inc. Amendment 42-24) came into force on 1 January 2026 and was able to be applied voluntarily as from 1 January 2025. This means that during 2027, the 2024 and the 2026 editions are both valid for use.

The IMDG Code lays out the regulatory framework for handling dangerous goods and marine pollutants in sea transport. It is divided into two volumes:

  • Volume 1 containing sections on general provisions, definitions and training; classification; packing and tank provisions; consignment procedures; construction and testing of packagings, IBCs, large packagings, portable tanks, MEGCs and road tank vehicles and transport operations; and
  • Volume 2 containing the Dangerous Goods List, special provisions and exceptions, Appendix A (list of generic and N.O.S. proper shipping names), Appendix B (glossary of terms) and the Index.

The IMDG Code has undergone many changes since it was first published in 1965, in both format and content, in order to keep up with the rapid expansion of the shipping industry.

Amendment 43-26 includes updates to the provisions for the carriage of batteries and clearer criteria for the transport of vehicles, including electric vehicles. It also introduces new special provisions for vehicle safety assessment (SP 980), revisions to existing special provisions SP 961 and SP 962, new UN entries for lithium and sodium-ion battery systems, updates to segregation distances for radioactive cargo, and consequential amendments to the EmS Guide.

Note – The printed version and editable electronic version of ADR 2027 is due to be published in November 2027.

Inclusion of new SVHCs on the Candidate List

HSE (as the Agency for UK REACH) has recently included 9 substances/groups of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) on the UK REACH Candidate List. These include flame retardants, plasticisers, UV absorbers, and fluorinated compounds.

UK REACH identifies SVHCs, which include substances with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties, or those that are especially persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment.

The UK REACH Candidate List constitutes those substances identified as SVHCs and serves to flag the potential for further regulatory control in future. Inclusion on the candidate list places some additional communication and notification duties on suppliers of SVHCs on their own, or in mixtures or articles.

Once on the Candidate List, a substance could be considered for potential inclusion on the Authorisation List. If a substance is added to the Authorisation List, it cannot be used after the specified ‘sunset date’ unless the use is exempt from authorisation, or a use-specific authorisation has been granted.

Following a 6-week public consultation and a review of responses on the identity or hazardous properties of the substances, the following substances/groups of substances were officially added to the UK REACH Candidate List on 19 October 2026:

  • Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs)
  • 1,1′-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene] (BTBPE)
  • Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulphone (BCPS)
  • 2-tert-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol (Bumetrizole)
  • Oligomerisation and alkylation reaction products of 2-phenylpropene and phenol (OAPP)
  • Reaction mass of triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives
  • O,O,O-triphenyl phosphororthioate (TPPT)
  • Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts
  • 4,4′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts

Following inclusion on the Candidate List, suppliers of these substances need to comply with the following additional duties:

  • Duty to communicate information on substances in articles – If you supply an article (as defined in REACH) containing a substance that appears on the Candidate List in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) the recipient of the article must be provided with sufficient information to allow safe use of the article. This includes as a minimum, the name of the substance. This applies when the article is supplied to recipients who use or handle it as part of their work. Equivalent information must also be provided to consumers (the general public) if requested. The information must be provided within 45 days of receiving the request.
  • Notification of substances in articles – If you produce, import or supply articles containing substances that appear on the UK REACH Candidate List you may need to submit a notification to HSE.
  • Duty to communicate information on substances in mixtures – If you supply a mixture that is not classified as hazardous according to the GB CLP Regulation, you must provide a safety data sheet upon request if the mixture contains any substance listed on the UK REACH Candidate List at a concentration of 0.1% (w/w) or higher in non-gaseous mixtures.
  • Duty to communicate information on substances – If you supply a substance that appears on the UK REACH Candidate List you must provide a safety data sheet for the substance to your customers.

Further information can be found on HSE’s website.

Details of the consultations and decisions for inclusion are available in the Registry of SVHC Intentions Until Outcome.

Consultations on the inclusion of further SVHCs to the UK REACH Candidate List will be launched during the 2026 to 2027 operational year and announced through HSE e-bulletins.

This Newsletter contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence

For more information on anything in this Newsletter, please contact us at info@chemregs.co.uk

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