Top stories of the past 3 weeks: REACH Authorization List update, conflict minerals are heating up, and EHS professionals are gathering en masse in Montreal in May.

Eight new substances are now subject to Authorisation under Europe's REACH regulation. This is the third time that substances have been added to the Authorisation List by the European Commission.

Triclosan — bad boy or bad rap? A new study shows that triclosan measurably undermines muscle movement in mammals. Business to business, here's the outlook for triclosan—with recommendations for entities still using it. 

Past studies have raised questions about the actual benefits of triclosan usage. Studies have also raised concerns about triclosan triggering endocrine disruption in animals (and by extrapolation, in humans). Further, there are reasons for concern regarding dioxin derivatives from triclosan, post-use, permeating water resources. All that, but this new study is darker still. This falling star may be one to purge, and soon.

The European Commission has clarified deadlines for Authorisation, allowing that applications can be submitted up to three months later. For example: phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP, which were slated for Authorization in 2011, now have a submission window before the "latest application date" between August 7th and 21st of 2013. Here's everything you need to know — the short version.

One could get in trouble for saying this but: the update to ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management Systems is largely cosmetic. That said, there is one aspect that deserves keen attention.

Risk Management Plans help prevent accidental releases of substances that can seriously harm the public and the environment. EPA penalties for not having one are rising.  Here's what one packaging company did not do right. Here's what your company can do.

As the first deadline for US GHS approaches, people are starting to ask the basic questions all over again. The top question I get is about the fundamental differences between the old U.S. Hazard Communication Standard and the new. So we've answered this, with graphics. Refreshing? Maybe not, but helpful.

A new leader of the Catholic church has emerged from the Vatican, and by all accounts the choice for the new Pope is an excellent one. Perhaps most interesting in our field— and most surprising— is that the elected pontiff is not just a theologian. He's also a chemist.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed methodology for identification and assessment of substances for potential restriction under RoHS has only a few weeks left to comment. Here's brief context and how to submit your thoughts.

NIST, the National Institite of Standards and Technology (NIST), has released a 2012 set of guides on product compliance requirements in specific industry sectors. Sectors covered include furniture, footwear, motor vehicle parts, and apparel/household textiles. Get the compliance guides here (no charge).

Salaries rose in the United States in 2012 for some professionals. Quality was not one of those areas. See what over 6,000 Quality professionals said they were making in 2012; compare your own salary.