All regulatory updates
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Massachusetts enacts firefighter gear PFAS ban with 2027 sales prohibition
Governor Maura Healey signed legislation requiring the removal of PFAS from firefighter protective gear. The law bans the sale of bunker gear containing intentionally added PFAS effective January 2027, and requires warning labels on firefighting gear beginning in 2025 to inform firefighters about PFAS content. Massachusetts becomes one of only two states with such comprehensive PFAS protection for firefighters, addressing a significant occupational health concern for fire services personnel.
CARB Publishes 2026 State Implementation Plan Revisions for Extreme Ozone Nonattainment
CARB published the 2026 State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revisions for California Extreme Ozone Nonattainment Areas. The SIP revisions address federal Clean Air Act requirements for areas not meeting the 75 ppb ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard, including motor vehicle emissions budgets and control strategies.
Stockholm Convention POPRC-22 meeting details published (21–25 September 2026, Rome) including revised draft risk profile item for PBDD/Fs and mixed PBDD/PCDD/Fs
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat published the official schedule and key agenda focus for the 22nd meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-22), to be held 21–25 September 2026 in Rome, Italy (FAO HQ). The posted overview highlights that POPRC will consider the revised draft risk profile for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, including requests for additional Annex E information. This is relevant to regulatory horizon-scanning because POPRC outcomes can advance candidate chemicals through the Article 8 process toward possible future listing decisions by the COP.
POPRC-22 scheduled for 21–25 September 2026 in Rome; revised draft risk profile for PBDD/Fs and mixed PBDD/PCDD/Fs to be considered
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat meeting page indicates that POPRC-22 is scheduled in Rome, Italy (21–25 September 2026) and will consider a revised draft risk profile for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (mixed PBDD/PCDD/Fs). The page also notes POPRC-21 deferred its decision and invited additional Annex E information. For compliance monitoring, this is a process signal that these substances remain under active evaluation and could lead to future listing recommendations to the COP.
BIS implements EAR export controls on silencers and sound suppressors
BIS is transferring jurisdiction over certain sound suppressors from the State Department's U.S. Munitions List (USML) to the Commerce Control List (CCL) under the EAR. Sound suppressors will be added under new ECCN paragraphs 0A501.f (suppressors for rifles and pistols) and 0A502.f (suppressors for shotguns). License applications will be reviewed case-by-case. License exceptions available for firearms (LVS, BAG, TMP) will also be available for suppressors. License Exception TMP is revised to allow firearms and related items to be exported as 'tools of trade.' Partial provisions effective July 23, 2026; full rule effective November 20, 2026. Comments due August 24, 2026.
Commission Adopts Implementing Regulation for DPP Registry
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 establishes the legal framework for the Digital Product Passport Registry including rules for access management, user verification, registration procedures, data storage requirements, and technical architecture. The regulation defines respective responsibilities of the European Commission and EU Member States for registry operation and ensures the registry is accessible, secure and effective for all users.
EU Digital Product Passport Registry Now Operational
The EU Digital Product Passport Registry is now operational with a testing environment available for economic operators. The registry serves as the central indexing system linking each product's unique identifier to its passport data location. Operators can access technical documentation, implementation guidelines, webinars, and a dedicated helpdesk. Registration is available via secure user interface or API for system integration. First mandatory compliance deadline is 18 February 2027 for certain large batteries including EV, light means of transport, and industrial batteries.
Minnesota Excludes Pre-July 2023 Products from PFAS Reporting
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency guidance states that products manufactured before July 1, 2023 are excluded from PFAS Minnesota reporting. Initial reports are due September 15, 2026. This changes reporting scope by manufacturing date and should be reviewed separately from any reporting-deadline update.
On 17 July 2026, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added four new carcinogenic substances to the California Proposition 65 list. The newly listed substances are: Welding Fumes Hydrochlorothiazide Voriconazole Tacrolimus The addition of these substances requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to review their products and supply chains to determine whether products sold in California may expose consumers or workers to these listed chemicals. Where exposures exceed the applicable safe harbor levels (or where no safe harbor level exists and exposures require assessment), businesses may be required to provide Proposition 65 warnings.
On 17 July 2026, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added four new carcinogenic substances to the California Proposition 65 list. The newly listed substances are: Welding Fumes Hydrochlorothiazide Voriconazole Tacrolimus The addition of these substances requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to review their products and supply chains to determine whether products sold in California may expose consumers or workers to these listed chemicals. Where exposures exceed the applicable safe harbor levels (or where no safe harbor level exists and exposures require assessment), businesses may be required to provide Proposition 65 warnings.
Commission Launches New Digital Product Passport Web Portal
The European Commission launched a new dedicated Digital Product Passport (DPP) web page on July 17, 2026, serving as the central authoritative source for all DPP-related information. The portal provides stakeholder-specific guidance for economic operators, consumers, public authorities, and repairers/recyclers, along with latest news, webinars, events calendar, FAQs, supporting documentation, and sector-specific guidance pages. The portal will expand progressively with new guidance, legislative updates, and technical resources.
Commission adopts Delegated Regulation adding portable battery removability exemptions
The Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation introducing new rules that exempt additional products from EU requirements on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries. Under the Batteries Regulation, portable batteries in products sold in the EU must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers. The new exemptions apply to specific product categories such as medical devices and 'wet appliances' (e.g., electric toothbrushes, water flossers) where technical or safety considerations justify derogations from the standard requirements.
NY AG Sues 3M, DuPont, and Chemours for PFAS Pollution
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against major chemical companies including 3M, EIDP (DuPont), and Chemours for decades of PFAS pollution linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. The lawsuit alleges the companies knowingly caused toxic PFAS contamination from consumer products. This enforcement action seeks accountability for environmental and public health damages.
Commission announces second Battery DPP webinar for July 2026
The European Commission is hosting a second webinar on the EU Digital Product Passport for Batteries on July 7, 2026. The session will cover the latest updates on DPP requirements, key compliance obligations, and industry perspectives for the battery value chain. Battery DPP becomes mandatory on February 18, 2027, making this guidance critical for EV battery, industrial battery (above 2 kWh), and LMT battery manufacturers preparing for compliance.
Commission adopts revised ESRS reducing mandatory datapoints by over 60%
On July 3, 2026, the European Commission adopted revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and a voluntary reporting standard for smaller companies. The revised standards reduce mandatory datapoints by over 60% (from approximately 1,100 to roughly 430) and total datapoints by over 70%, with expected reporting cost reductions of more than 30% per company. The standards introduce a 'value chain cap' limiting information requests from CSRD companies to SMEs with 1,000 or fewer employees. The delegated acts are now under scrutiny by the European Parliament and Council (2-month period, extendable by 2 months) before entering into force. Companies should prepare to apply the simplified standards for FY 2027 reporting.
Commission Adopts Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Non-Mandatory Reporters
The European Commission adopted Commission Delegated Regulation C(2026) 5011 establishing a voluntary sustainability reporting standard for undertakings not subject to mandatory CSRD requirements. The voluntary standard provides a simplified and standardized framework for undertakings with fewer than 1,000 employees that are protected under the Omnibus I value chain cap, enabling them to report sustainability information voluntarily and access sustainable financing. It includes a Basic Module covering general information, environment, and social metrics, and a Comprehensive Module with additional disclosures for larger undertakings. The standard also defines the information that reporting undertakings may request from value chain partners under the value chain cap provisions.
MPCA releases PRISM 1.3 with expanded processing and storage capacity
The PFAS Reporting Information System for Manufacturers (PRISM) version 1.3 was released in July 2026 with expanded processing and storage capacity. PRISM is the official system used by manufacturers to submit PFAS in product reports and pay related fees as required under Amara's Law.
Proposition 65 Omnibus 2026 Pre-Rulemaking Workshop Scheduled
OEHHA will host an in-person and online workshop on July 30, 2026, to discuss potential amendments to the Proposition 65 regulations as part of the Omnibus 2026 pre-rulemaking process. OEHHA will publish potential regulatory amendments on its website prior to the workshop. Stakeholders should monitor for proposed changes that may affect warning requirements, listing procedures, or other compliance obligations.
NYSDEC Proposes First-in-Nation PFAS Landfill Regulations
NYSDEC proposed first-in-nation regulations designed to prevent PFAS contamination from landfills from entering waterways. The regulations represent a pioneering approach to controlling PFAS emissions from waste management facilities and protecting water resources.
New Jersey Reaches Historic Settlement with 3M Over PFAS Contamination
New Jersey reached a historic settlement with 3M over PFAS contamination claims. The settlement addresses consumer impacts, penalties, and punitive damages related to PFAS contamination of New Jersey's water supplies and natural resources. A formal notice of the proposed settlement was expected to be published in July. This settlement signals enforcement risk for PFAS manufacturers and users.
NJDEP Adopts Site Remediation Standards for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS and GenX
New Jersey formally adopted site remediation standards for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, and GenX compounds. These standards establish cleanup requirements for contaminated sites undergoing remediation in New Jersey, providing compliance teams with specific thresholds for these PFAS compounds in site remediation contexts.