September 25, 2026: The Global Antioxidant and Light Stabilizers Alliance (GALA) has established a task force to address non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) associated with antioxidants, including substances commonly referred to as ARVINs.

Antioxidants are essential for maintaining polymer performance during manufacture, processing, use and recycling. However, regulators and customers increasingly expect companies to assess not only intentionally added antioxidants, but also impurities, reaction products and substances formed through oxidation, hydrolysis or degradation.

These NIAS may arise during additive manufacture, polymer processing, storage, ageing, exposure to hot or chlorinated water, migration testing and recycling. Some may be smaller and more mobile than the original antioxidant, increasing their potential to migrate into food, drinking water or other sensitive applications. Recycling adds further complexity because additives and their transformation products may carry over into recycled materials or change during reprocessing.

The GALA NIAS–AIA Task Force will:

  • Compile available toxicological and ecotoxicological information relevant to antioxidant-related NIAS.
  • Identify important antioxidant degradation and conversion products and their likely sources.
  • Develop a common framework for NIAS exposure and risk assessment.
  • Evaluate targeted and non-targeted migration-testing approaches.
  • Prepare industry best practices for minimizing NIAS formation.
  • Engage with regulators, research organizations, industry associations, converters and relevant data owners.
  • Assess regulatory developments affecting food-contact materials, drinking-water applications and recycled polymers.

By developing a shared scientific understanding of antioxidant-related NIAS, GALA seeks to support product stewardship, customer confidence and the continued safe use of antioxidants in polymer applications. This work forms part of GALA’s broader commitment to the safe and sustainable use of antioxidants and light stabilizers through science-based regulatory engagement.

“By working together on the science of antioxidant-related NIAS, GALA members can give regulators, customers and the public accurate information and support the continued safe use of these essential additives.”

GALA member David Brassington, Senior Director Regulatory Compliance at SI Group

About GALA

The Global Antioxidant and Light Stabilizers Alliance (GALA) is an industry consortium of leading producers of antioxidants and light stabilizers used in polymer applications. GALA’s mission is to advance the safe and sustainable use of antioxidants and light stabilizers in polymer and coatings applications. Gala’s mission is to advance the safe and sustainable use of antioxidants and light stabilizers through science-based research, product stewardship and constructive regulatory engagement. By pooling scientific expertise and collaborating with regulators, customers, research organizations and the wider value chain, GALA works to ensure that antioxidants and light stabilizers continue to support polymer performance while meeting evolving safety and environmental expectations. For more information, visit www.gala-alliance.org.

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding planned Task Force activities. Such activities are subject to change, and nothing in this release constitutes regulatory, legal or product-safety advice.

Media contact

GALA Secretariat: contact@gala-alliance.org