In this latest episode of the Chemical Watch 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 this autumn on a draft comprehensive chemicals bill that would require companies to register all industrial and consumer chemicals in the country, and would give the agency authority to ban chemicals that pose "unnecessary harm".

Secondly, we take a look at European Commission plans to introduce new categories for substances of very high concern under REACH, for chemicals which are persistent, mobile and toxic or very persistent and very mobile - also known as PMTs and vPvMs.

And finally, we discuss the significance of the announcement from technology giant HP Inc that 98.5% of the total weight of all of its products consist of substances considered by the NGO-led Chemical Footprint Project to be safer alternatives to chemicals of high concern.