All regulatory updates
718 results found
European Commission DG SANTE publishes SCoPAFF Working Group handout on implementation of recycled plastics FCM rules (Reg. (EU) 2022/1616)
European Commission (DG SANTE) published a handout for the Working Group of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) on Food Contact Materials (meeting 29–30 January 2026). The document provides implementation-status updates and practical clarifications relevant to compliance with the recycled plastic food contact materials regime under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, which is a specific measure adopted under the EU Food Contact Materials Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. Topics include the Recycling Register/IT system rollout (FFSPM/FIP and planned ESFC tool structuring), Member State audits/controls under Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, status of PET recycling authorisation decisions, and discussion of recent corrections to Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 (Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2269). Compliance teams using recycled plastics should monitor the operational timelines and documentation/registration expectations described, as these affect market access and audit readiness.
NIOSH Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-Being Portfolio: Request for Information (RFI) opened (comments due April 3, 2026)
NIOSH published a Federal Register notice requesting information to gather public input on priority topics for its Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-Being Portfolio. The notice is a formal, docketed solicitation for stakeholder feedback (not a binding regulatory change) that may shape future NIOSH research/services priorities affecting firefighter safety and occupational health guidance. Compliance and safety stakeholders (e.g., fire departments, manufacturers, occupational health programs) can submit comments by the stated deadline.
ECHA opened consultation on the 13th draft recommendation to include SVHCs in REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List)
ECHA opened a public consultation on its 13th draft recommendation for prioritising Candidate List SVHCs for inclusion in REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List). The consultation runs from 2 February 2026 to 2 May 2026. If finalised and later adopted by the European Commission, Annex XIV inclusion would introduce authorisation obligations (including latest application and sunset dates). Compliance teams should review the draft recommendation and background documents, assess portfolio impacts for listed SVHCs, and consider submitting comments.
NIOSH opens Federal Register Request for Information (RFI) on firefighter safety portfolio; comments due April 3, 2026
CDC/NIOSH published a Federal Register Request for Information (RFI) seeking stakeholder input to help refine priorities for the NIOSH Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-Being research and service portfolio. The notice states it does not propose new regulations, requirements, or policies, but it is an official docketed action that can influence NIOSH priority-setting and downstream guidance, research, and program emphasis relevant to firefighter occupational safety and health. Compliance teams and affected stakeholders (fire departments, unions, PPE/respirator stakeholders, researchers) may wish to submit comments by the stated deadline and monitor follow-on outputs.
ECHA opens consultation on draft recommendation to include four Candidate List substances in the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV)
ECHA launched a public consultation on its draft recommendation to the European Commission to add four Candidate List substances to the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV). Compliance teams should monitor this pipeline step because Annex XIV inclusion can introduce authorisation obligations for continued use/placing on the market (subject to future sunset dates set in any eventual Annex XIV entries). The consultation is open for stakeholder input until 2 May 2026.
ECHA launched public consultation for the 13th draft recommendation to include SVHCs in Annex XIV (Authorisation List)
ECHA opened a public consultation on its 13th draft recommendation for prioritising SVHCs for inclusion in REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List). The recommendation status is shown as 'included in draft recommendation' with a consultation window from 02-Feb-2026 to 02-May-2026. While this is not yet a binding Annex XIV amendment, it is a key step toward future authorisation requirements (e.g., eventual latest application and sunset dates) for substances selected by the European Commission. Compliance teams should review whether any listed substances are used in their products/processes and consider submitting comments during the consultation period and preparing for potential downstream authorisation impacts if the Commission proceeds.
ECHA opened public consultation on the Draft 13th Recommendation to include four SVHCs in the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV)
ECHA published the Draft 13th Recommendation and opened a public consultation (2 Feb 2026 to 2 May 2026) on prioritising four SVHCs for potential inclusion in the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV): bumetrizole (UV-326), UV-329, triphenyl phosphate, and 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one. This consultation is a key step in the SVHC-to-authorisation pathway; affected companies should assess uses and consider submitting evidence on uses, alternatives, and socio-economic impacts.
Illinois SB3221 proposed to schedule xylazine as a Class III controlled substance with exemptions; stated effective date Jan 1, 2027 (bill text)
SB3221 (104th General Assembly) proposes adding xylazine as a Class III (Schedule III) controlled substance under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act while providing that xylazine is not considered a controlled substance in specified circumstances (exemptions for certain legitimate uses). The bill PDF text indicates an effective date of 2027-01-01. Organizations that handle xylazine (including veterinary and related regulated activities) should monitor because scheduling would impose controlled-substance controls unless an exemption applies.
SB3191 introduced to enhance fentanyl trafficking penalties and add electronic-communication-device felony provision
Illinois SB3191 (104th GA) was introduced to amend the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (including provisions tied to 720 ILCS 570/401 and 720 ILCS 570/401.1). As described in the bill text sources, it proposes heightened felony consequences for unlawful selling/dispensing of scheduled drugs containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and proposes creating an additional offense/penalty for knowingly using an electronic communication device in furtherance of fentanyl-related controlled substance trafficking. Compliance relevance: if enacted, entities involved in controlled substance handling (pharmacies, distributors, healthcare, and compliance/legal teams) would need to account for changed criminal exposure and enforcement posture related to fentanyl-containing products and communications-facilitated trafficking.
ECHA publishes Draft 13th Recommendation documents for potential inclusion of priority SVHCs in REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List)
ECHA published supporting documents for its Draft 13th Recommendation of priority substances for potential inclusion in REACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List), including draft Annex XIV entry structures and background/prioritisation documents. This is a draft/pipeline step (not yet a binding Annex XIV amendment), but it signals which SVHCs may be advanced toward authorisation requirements, informing early substitution planning and monitoring of latest application date/sunset date proposals once finalized by the European Commission.
TE Connectivity publishes updated REACH customer letter (Feb 2026) describing SVHC/SCIP/Article 33 compliance approach and TE policy bans aligned to REACH restrictions
TE Connectivity issued/updated a REACH customer letter dated February 2026 that is directly relevant to TE’s internal “banned substances” framework used for product environmental compliance. The letter is a supplier/customer-facing compliance communication (not a government rule) explaining TE’s approach to: monitoring REACH SVHC Candidate List updates and Annex XIV (Authorisation) / Annex XVII (Restrictions) changes; providing SVHC information in Statements of Compliance to support REACH Article 33 communications for SVHCs present above 0.1% w/w; reflecting the “Once An Article Always An Article (O5A)” calculation approach; and reiterating SCIP notification obligations (noted as effective since 5 Jan 2021) with TE’s commitment to submit SCIP notifications where required. The letter also states that substances subject to applicable REACH restrictions are treated as “banned according to TE’s policy,” which can drive TE supplier declarations, material selection, and data-collection actions tied to TE’s banned substances expectations.
GPO retires Contractor Connection/Quick Quote and shifts vendor registration/quoting to GPO Publish (vendor registration required)
The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) announces the retirement of legacy vendor systems (Contractor Connection/Quick Quote) and the transition of vendor registration and quoting activities to the GPO Publish platform. Vendors must register (or re-register) in GPO Publish to continue doing business with GPO, and registrations are subject to manual review, implying potential lead time. Compliance and government-contracting teams should update internal vendor onboarding and procurement participation procedures to ensure accounts are established in GPO Publish and avoid disruption after the retirement date.
European Commission publishes February 2026 factsheet explaining EU food-packaging/food-contact materials safety framework (non-binding)
The European Commission published an informational factsheet (February 2026) on how the EU ensures safe food packaging, describing obligations and the overall compliance/enforcement framing under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and related FCM legislation. This is not a legislative amendment, but can be used by compliance teams for internal training, supplier communication, and explaining EU FCM safety/traceability expectations.
ECHA announces spring 2026 60-day consultation on SEAC draft opinion for EU-wide PFAS restriction
ECHA published a notice announcing the next step in the EU-wide PFAS restriction process under REACH: a planned 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion (socio-economic impacts and alternatives). The consultation is expected to start after SEAC’s March 2026 meeting, run for 60 days, and be conducted via a structured survey (no attachments). This is a key stakeholder engagement milestone for companies and downstream users to prepare socio-economic and alternatives information for the restriction evaluation.
San Francisco states business registration renewal is due the last day of February beginning in 2026 (unified annual registration and tax form)
An official SF.gov small business newsletter indicates that beginning in 2026, San Francisco business registration renewal is due on the last day of February and will be part of a unified Annual Business Registration and Tax Form (linked to Proposition M business tax reform). Vendors operating in San Francisco should update compliance calendars and ensure renewal and associated annual filing processes are completed by the new end-of-February deadline to maintain active registration for lawful operations and city contracting eligibility where applicable.
European Commission publishes updated RoHS exemptions tracker (“Exemptions list: validity and rolling plan” – Feb 2026)
The European Commission published an updated consolidated RoHS exemptions tracking file (“Exemptions list: validity and rolling plan” – February 2026). This tracker is used to monitor Annex III/IV exemption validity/expiry dates and the Commission’s rolling plan for evaluation and decisions, supporting compliance planning for upcoming exemption expirations and renewal timelines. It is not itself a delegated directive amending Annex III/IV, but it is an official planning/monitoring update that compliance teams use to track anticipated exemption changes.
EPA posts updated statistics for TSCA New Chemicals Program case inventory (as of Feb. 1, 2026)
EPA updated its TSCA New Chemicals Program statistics page with current counts of PMNs, SNUNs, and MCANs under review (as of Feb. 1, 2026). While not a rule change, the updated workload/case-status metrics can affect company expectations for review timing and resourcing for Section 5 submissions, including tracking potential delays in risk assessment and determination steps.
GPO retires Contractor Connection and Quick Quote; vendor activities transition to GPO Publish (vendor registration required)
GPO announced that its legacy vendor tools (Contractor Connection and Quick Quote) are retired effective the end of January 2026 and that vendor activities move to the GPO Publish platform. Vendors must register in GPO Publish (manual review) to avoid interruption in eligibility to receive and perform GPO work. Compliance teams supporting vendors should ensure internal procedures and credentials are updated for the new system and that registration is completed early due to manual review queues.
Commission competitiveness report notes first sets of CRMA Strategic Projects have been selected (implementation signal)
In the Commission Communication COM(2026) 46 final (2026 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report), the European Commission states that the first sets of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act have been selected. While this is not a binding legal amendment, it is an official implementation milestone that signals CRMA operationalization is advancing; this can be relevant for REE-related supply chain planning because REE permanent magnet materials fall within CRMA strategic raw materials scope and Strategic Project status can affect permitting and financing timelines for upstream and recycling projects.
ACF issues updated Standard Terms and Conditions effective January 30, 2026
ACF published updated "Standard Terms and Conditions — Federal Financial Assistance Programs" effective January 30, 2026, applicable to awards and funded modifications issued on/after that date. The document’s updates table indicates additions/changes including a "Reasonable Expenditure Standard for Formula Grants, including Block Grants," court-order adherence language under award acceptance, and consolidation of certain civil-rights-related subheadings into an "Assurance of Compliance" paragraph. Compliance teams supporting recipients/subrecipients/contractors on ACF-funded programs should review flow-down/award acceptance and documentation controls against the updated standard terms.