Regulatory Pulse Archive

UK Expands SVHC Candidate List: 15 New Substances Now Under Supply Chain Scrutiny — What Body Art Professionals Must Know

UK REACH expands SVHC Candidate List to include n-hexane and bisphenol AF (BPAF), triggering immediate supply chain notification duties for body art studios importing jewelry and inks. Facilities must audit suppliers, request compliance documentation, and prepare 45-day response protocols for consumer SVHC inquiries. Non-compliance risks enforcement action and insurance denial.

2026-03-27

UK REACH Goes Independent: What the December 2025 Tattoo Ink Decision Means for Studios

The UK government's 30 December 2025 decision on tattoo ink restrictions, published 15 January 2026, formally establishes UK REACH as a regulatory framework independent of EU REACH. Studios and suppliers must now verify compliance against UK-specific thresholds and timelines; "EU REACH compliant" is no longer automatically sufficient for UK distribution. Request written UK REACH compliance confirmation from suppliers, update batch tracking systems, and prepare for potential regulatory divergence on aromatic amine limits, heavy metal thresholds, and phase-in deadlines—all of which remain under UK specification and may differ from EU standards.

2026-03-25

EU Regulation 2026/78: Silver Reclassified, CMR Restrictions Tighten — 6 Weeks to Comply

The EU's January 2026 amendment to the Cosmetics Regulation (Commission Regulation 2026/78) reclassifies silver as a reproductive toxin and restricts carcinogenic preservatives in tattoo inks and PMU formulations, effective May 1, 2026—forcing European studios to audit inventory, verify supplier CoAs, and discontinue non-compliant pigments within six weeks.

2026-03-21

The Metallurgy of Safety: Understanding Chromium Leaching in 316L Stainless Steel

An analytical comparison of nickel release rates and corrosion resistance between 316L stainless steel and ASTM F136 titanium in physiological environments.

2026-03-06