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On July 3, 2025, the Vietnam Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 34/2025/TT-BYT, proposing amendments to the cosmetic management regulations. The public consultation period is open until August 18, 2025.

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is a highly surface-active perfluorinated compound with chemical properties similar to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Following the ban on PFOS by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, PFHxS has been widely used as a substitute in various products. However, PFHxS is persistent in the environment, capable of long-range transport, and may cause developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. At the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-10), PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds were listed in Annex A of the Convention for elimination, with no exemptions allowed.

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an additive flame retardant widely used in polymer materials such as plastics and fibers due to its excellent colorability, thermal stability, outstanding electrical properties, and low smoke emission. However, as significant risks of exposure to humans and the environment associated with DP have been confirmed, various regions globally have initiated actions to control this substance. Many export-oriented electronic product companies have already started supply chain investigations regarding this substance.

Recently, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water Resources (DCCEEW) in Australia proposed to include several brominated flame retardant chemicals in the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standards (IChEMS) register. Substances that may cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment but have essential industrial uses are proposed to be included in Appendix 6 of IChEMS while substances causing serious or irreversible harm to the environment and without essential industrial uses are included in Appendix 7 of IChEMS.