In this latest episode of the Chemical Watch news podcast, global managing editor, Kate Lowe, is joined by emerging markets reporter Ginger Hervey, science editor Andrew Turley and business editor Leigh Stringer.
First, we hear about plans in Ghana to consult on a draft comprehensive chemicals bill this autumn that would require companies to register all industrial and consumer chemicals in the country, and give its EPA authority to ban those that pose "unnecessary harm".
Secondly, we take a look at the European Commission's intention to introduce new categories for substances of very high concern under REACH, for chemicals that are persistent, mobile and toxic (PMTs) or very persistent and very mobile (vPvMs).
And finally, we discuss the significance of the announcement by technology giant HP that 98.5% of the total weight of all its products now consists of substances that the NGO-led Chemical Footprint Project considers safer alternatives to chemicals of high concern.