All regulatory updates
1479 results found
EPA issues project-specific nonavailability waiver for Lexington-Fayette (KY) optical sorter and robotic sorting equipment (SWIFR)
EPA issued a project-specific nonavailability waiver under BABA manufactured product requirements for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (Kentucky) to allow procurement/use of an optical sorter and robotic sorting equipment because domestic products meeting BABA and the project’s technical specifications were not available. The waiver applies to the identified project and authorizes recipients/contractors to treat the covered items as compliant for the award/project when documenting BABA compliance.
UK PackUK Publishes First Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement
PackUK has published its first Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme. The policy establishes a clear 3-year framework that adjusts producer fees based on packaging recyclability, as assessed through the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). This represents a significant step in incentivizing environmentally sustainable packaging design across the UK, with fees modulated to reward recyclable packaging and discourage hard-to-recycle materials.
CalRecycle producer guidance reiterates May 1, 2026 regulations effective date and June 1, 2026 producer action deadline
CalRecycle updated/maintains producer-facing guidance for California’s SB 54 packaging EPR program stating that SB 54 regulations are effective May 1, 2026, and that producers must take a required compliance action by June 1, 2026 (e.g., apply for participation in a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or seek a small-producer exemption, as described on the guidance page). Compliance teams selling covered packaging/single-use food service ware into California should align internal readiness and submissions to the May 1, 2026 effective date and the June 1, 2026 action deadline outlined by CalRecycle.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has established reporting requirements for products containing intentionally added PFAS under Minnesota’s Amara’s Law. Manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Minnesota that contain intentionally added PFAS must submit detailed product and chemical information to the state.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has established reporting requirements for products containing intentionally added PFAS under Minnesota’s Amara’s Law. Manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Minnesota that contain intentionally added PFAS must submit detailed product and chemical information to the state. Initial reports are due by: September 15, 2026
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has amended its Part 620 Groundwater Quality Regulations to establish state-specific Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The amendments are designed to protect public health by limiting PFAS exposure through drinking water sources and strengthening groundwater quality protections across the state. Under the regulation, community water supplies must conduct monitoring for regulated PFAS compounds and demonstrate compliance with the established MCLs according to the phased implementation schedule.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has amended its Part 620 Groundwater Quality Regulations to establish state-specific Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The amendments are designed to protect public health by limiting PFAS exposure through drinking water sources and strengthening groundwater quality protections across the state. Under the regulation, community water supplies must conduct monitoring for regulated PFAS compounds and demonstrate compliance with the established MCLs according to the phased implementation schedule.
Maryland Enacts HB 925 Restricting PFAS in Sewage Sludge Land Application
Maryland enacted House Bill 925 as Chapter 330, establishing restrictions on the land application of sewage sludge or products containing sewage sludge with total concentrations of regulated PFAS substances at or above specified levels. The law authorizes blending of sewage sludge from multiple sources subject to certain regulations prior to the restriction date. Compliance teams managing wastewater treatment, biosolids disposal, or land application programs in Maryland must monitor PFAS concentrations and adjust disposal practices accordingly.
CalRecycle updates SB 54 Producer Guidance with compliance pathway and June 1, 2026 action deadline (following May 1, 2026 regulations effective date)
CalRecycle’s SB 54 Producer Guidance communicates the producer compliance pathway and reiterates near-term timing tied to SB 54 regulations becoming effective May 1, 2026. The guidance indicates producers have until June 1, 2026 to take one of the required compliance actions (e.g., join a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or claim a small producer exemption) and references use of CalRecycle’s portal (PEPRS) for submissions (e.g., baseline/annual reporting and related program deliverables). Compliance teams should treat this as regulator guidance for immediate onboarding and submission readiness under SB 54.
Illinois has enacted new legislation requiring wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities holding Clean Water Act discharge permits to conduct ongoing monitoring for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharges, biosolids, and sewage sludge. The law is intended to identify and control major sources of PFAS contamination entering Illinois waterways and the environment.
Illinois has enacted new legislation requiring wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities holding Clean Water Act discharge permits to conduct ongoing monitoring for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharges, biosolids, and sewage sludge. The law is intended to identify and control major sources of PFAS contamination entering Illinois waterways and the environment.
European Parliament resolution urges the Commission to accelerate DPP secondary legislation (notably for textiles, footwear, children's products, cosmetics, electronics)
The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution emphasizing that swift implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is essential for stronger enforcement and urging the European Commission to adopt the necessary secondary (delegated/implementing) legislation without delay, explicitly calling out several high-risk/high non-compliance sectors (e.g., textiles, footwear, children’s products, cosmetics, electronics). While this does not itself change DPP legal obligations, it is an official policy signal that can foreshadow prioritization and timing of upcoming DPP secondary legislation under the ESPR framework.
Commission proposes implementing regulation for Digital Product Passport registry operation
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation establishes operational rules for the EU Central Digital Product Passport Registry under ESPR Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The regulation sets registry launch provisions, introduces 'verified economic operator' status requirements, and mandates secure electronic identification aligned with EU eIDAS rules. Once adopted, products cannot be placed on the EU market without valid DPP registration. Non-EU manufacturers must ensure systems align with EU importer obligations.
European Commission opens public consultation on delegated act to add product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 that would add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries incorporated into products be removable and replaceable by consumers. If adopted, products in the newly exempted categories could shift from consumer removability/replaceability to professional-only removal/replaceability, impacting product design choices, user instructions, technical documentation and conformity strategies for manufacturers and importers. The Commission’s consultation also signals that related removability/replaceability guidance may be updated to reflect any new derogations. Feedback is requested by 26 May 2026 (deadline referenced in the research text).
Commission opens consultation on additional battery removability exemptions
The European Commission launched a public consultation seeking stakeholder views on draft legislation setting out additional product exemptions from EU requirements on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries incorporated in products. Under Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, certain products may be exempted from general removability requirements. Comments on the draft legislation were due by 26 May 2026.
Commission opens public consultation on delegated act to expand exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on draft delegated rules that would add additional product categories to the exemption list from the EU Battery Regulation’s general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. Where exempted, batteries would generally need to be removable/replaceable by independent professionals instead. The consultation is relevant for product design, repairability, and technical documentation strategies for affected product categories (e.g., wearables, electric toys, ATEX-scope equipment). Stakeholders should review whether their products may fall within the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback via the Commission consultation portal before the consultation closes (deadline referenced in the Commission materials: 26 May 2026).
European Commission opens consultation on delegated act to add additional product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission opened a public consultation on draft rules (planned as a delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) to add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. The Commission also signaled it intends to update existing removability/replaceability guidelines to reflect the new derogations. Compliance teams should assess whether their product portfolio may qualify for (or be affected by) the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback during the consultation period.
Commission opens consultation on proposed battery removability exemptions
The European Commission is seeking stakeholder views on a proposed Delegated Act that would add six new product categories to the list of exemptions from portable battery removability and replaceability requirements under Article 11 of the EU Batteries Regulation. Proposed exemptions include wearable devices (smartwatches and fitness trackers), electric toys, and products within the scope of the ATEX Directive (equipment for explosive atmospheres such as explosion-proof motors, sensors, pumps, and forklift trucks). Under the Regulation, portable batteries must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers; exempted products only require removability by independent professionals. Comments are due by May 26, 2026.
European Commission opens consultation on draft delegated act to add additional product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission (DG ENV) launched a public consultation on a delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to expand the list of product categories exempted from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by end-users (instead allowing removal by independent professionals). If adopted, this would affect product design/repairability and compliance documentation for the newly covered product categories, potentially reducing consumer-removability obligations for those products while still requiring professional removability.
European Commission opens consultation on delegated act to expand exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission opened a stakeholder consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. The draft would allow certain exempted products (e.g., some wearables, electric toys, and certain ATEX-related products) to require removability/replaceability by independent professionals instead. The consultation signals a potential future change to product design/compliance strategy for manufacturers placing covered products on the EU market and may be accompanied by updates to existing Commission guidelines on removability/replaceability.
European Commission opens public consultation on draft delegated act to add exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to add additional product categories to the list exempted from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by end-users. The consultation references examples such as wearable devices, electric toys, and certain equipment within scope of the ATEX Directive. If adopted, these exemptions would affect product design/engineering choices and repairability obligations for products containing portable batteries, and may influence related end-of-life handling expectations. Consultation closes 26 May 2026.
CARB proposes amendments to Mandatory Reporting of GHG Emissions
CARB has proposed amendments to the Regulation for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The proposed amendments target revisions to clarify how entities report GHG emissions to support the Cap-and-Invest Program, ensure data accuracy, expand program applicability, and incorporate new fuel pathways and technologies.
S. 4393 proposes BABA implementation annual reporting requirements
Senators Baldwin and Banks introduced S. 4393, which would require the head of each federal agency to submit annual reports to the Made in America Office and Congress on Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) implementation. The reports must identify each federal financial assistance program for infrastructure that has and has not fully implemented Buy America preference requirements. If enacted, this legislation would enhance accountability and transparency in BABA compliance across federal infrastructure programs, creating new reporting obligations for all agencies administering BABA-covered financial assistance.