Over the past years, global relations and trade have undergone periods of substantive change, with frictions between major economies, trade barriers and bold policy decisions aimed at tackling the environmental crisis. In 2020, all eyes went to the COVID-19 pandemic which, one year later, still shows its severe impact on economies and industries across the globe. With a constantly evolving and still unpredictable international landscape, some companies have managed to adapt their compliance and trade strategies to continue their operations within and across borders, while others may not have been as fortunate.

Adding to this already complex global equation is the upgrading and differentiation of global market demand and the growing social and environmental claim for cleaner, safer, more reliable and sustainable products and processes, further increasing the burden and challenges on organizations and enterprises.

In 2020, REACH24H Consulting Group and Helsinki Chemicals Forum took the lead, offering a free-to-all special CRAC-HCF 2020 Joint Forum to promote an open dialogue and cooperation, welcoming over 9,000 participants from all over the world.

In 2021, CRAC&HCF 2021—The 13th Chemical Regulatory Annual Conference (CRAC) and Asian Helsinki Chemicals Forum (HCF) will be held as a hybrid virtual / in-person event in Hangzhou, China. Through both its online + offline platforms, CRAC-HCF Forum 2021 will focus on the latest advances made in the fields of chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics, food contact materials and pharmaceuticals. Presentations and specially tailored Q&A sessions will be led by high-level government officials, industry association representatives, and leading voices from civil society organizations and academics to discuss regulatory changes, links to global trade and policy shifts to meet new opportunities and challenges with more sustainable development strategies.