All regulatory updates
718 results found
ASEAN endorsed Anti-Scam Guide and enhanced submarine cable resilience/repair guidelines at 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting
At the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, ASEAN endorsed (1) the “ASEAN Guide on Anti-Scam Policies and Best Practices,” described as a comprehensive regional framework intended to harmonise baseline anti-scam measures and strengthen trust in communications across ASEAN Member States; and (2) “Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables,” updating 2019 guidance and recommending measures such as streamlined permitting, single points of contact, and improved inter-agency coordination to reduce repair timelines. Compliance teams for telecom operators, digital platforms, and critical infrastructure stakeholders should monitor for Member State implementation and align internal anti-scam controls and incident response/governance practices with the endorsed baseline recommendations.
Sixth National Report due 31 August 2026; Stockholm Convention Electronic Reporting System updated for 6th report
The Stockholm Convention Electronic Reporting System (SC-ERS) has been updated to support Parties’ 6th national report submissions under Article 15. The compliance-relevant deadline for submission of the Sixth National Report is stated as 31 August 2026; the page also notes system availability in all UN languages by 15 January 2026. Compliance teams supporting Party reporting should plan data collection, validation and internal approvals against the stated submission deadline and ensure teams can access the updated questionnaire in the SC-ERS.
CDC/NIOSH announces public meeting of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health; written comments due Feb. 12, 2026
CDC/NIOSH published a Federal Register notice announcing a public meeting of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (ABRWH), including a deadline for submission of written comments for inclusion in the meeting record. The ABRWH supports NIOSH activities related to EEOICPA radiation dose reconstruction and related Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) petition processes. While not a binding rule change, the notice is a formal, docketed governance action relevant to stakeholders tracking EEOICPA/SEC developments and program administration.
White House issues Section 232 proclamation on adjusting imports of processed critical minerals and derivative products (includes rare earth permanent magnets)
A presidential proclamation issued following a Section 232 investigation addresses U.S. national security concerns related to imports of processed critical minerals and derivative products, explicitly highlighting rare earth elements and rare earth permanent magnets as vital downstream products with U.S. import reliance. For compliance teams, this is a formal U.S. trade/national-security action that can drive new import adjustment measures and downstream implementing actions (e.g., coverage definitions, potential future implementing directions), warranting monitoring for supply-chain and import compliance impacts on REE-related products (especially magnets).
ESMA publishes Sustainable Finance implementation timeline document referencing CSRD timing
ESMA published/updated a ‘Sustainable Finance’ implementation timeline document (last updated 13 January 2026) that includes CSRD-related timing references. This document functions as operational guidance/coordination material for stakeholders tracking CSRD milestones and should be used as a reference aid (while the underlying legal acts remain controlling).
European Commission publishes updated CRA conformity-assessment guidance page referencing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392 for Annex III/IV category technical descriptions
The European Commission updated its CRA ‘Conformity assessment’ guidance page (page update date shown as 12 January 2026) to reiterate that Annex III (important products) and Annex IV (critical products) are subject to stricter conformity assessment procedures than the default CRA approach and to direct stakeholders to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392 for the technical descriptions used to determine whether a product’s core functionality places it within an Annex III/IV category. This guidance is relevant for Annex III ‘additional requirements’ compliance planning because it clarifies how to use the implementing regulation to classify products and select the correct conformity assessment pathway.
Commission standardisation page updated: adoption of CRA standardisation request M/606 prioritising Annex III/IV product categories
The European Commission updated its CRA standardisation page (last update shown: 12 January 2026) stating that it has adopted standardisation request M/606 (41 standards) to support compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act. The page notes that vertical/product-specific standards are prioritised for product categories in CRA Annex III (important products) and Annex IV (critical products). This update is directly relevant for Annex III ‘important products’ because harmonised standards (once developed and cited) are the main pathway to demonstrate compliance (presumption of conformity) with CRA essential requirements and to support conformity assessment planning for Annex III products subject to stricter assessment routes.
European Commission updates CRA conformity assessment guidance reiterating mandatory notified body for Annex IV critical products and referencing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392 technical descriptions
The European Commission updated its official CRA “Conformity assessment” guidance page (last update shown on-page: 12 January 2026). The page operationalizes Annex IV (critical products) compliance by stating that use of a notified body is mandatory in all cases for critical products, and it directs stakeholders to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392 for the technical descriptions of Annex III/IV product categories. This is relevant for Annex IV scoping because the technical descriptions and the ‘core functionality’ concept determine whether a product falls within a critical category, which triggers stricter conformity assessment planning (e.g., budgeting/timelines for notified body involvement).
European Commission updates CRA conformity assessment page reiterating mandatory notified-body assessment for Annex IV critical products
The European Commission updated its CRA conformity assessment explainer page, reiterating that Annex IV ‘critical products’ require third-party conformity assessment by a notified body in all cases (i.e., no self-assessment route). The page also points stakeholders to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392 for the technical descriptions used to determine whether a product’s core functionality falls into Annex IV categories—an important scoping input for Annex IV compliance and conformity route selection.
European Commission updates CRA conformity assessment page clarifying conformity routes for demonstrating compliance with essential requirements (Annex I)
The European Commission updated its official CRA “Conformity assessment” page (last update shown: 12 January 2026). The page provides implementation guidance relevant to demonstrating compliance with CRA Annex I essential cybersecurity requirements by clarifying conformity assessment routes (including when self-assessment may apply versus when involvement of notified bodies is required for important/critical product categories). It also links to the CRA’s annexes on EUR-Lex and references the implementing regulation on technical descriptions of important/critical product categories, which influences which conformity assessment procedures apply—thereby affecting how Annex I baseline requirements are assessed and evidenced in technical documentation.
Variation of AIIC Inventory listing following revocation of CBI approval and variation of Inventory terms (SIR details added)
AICIS published a notice that the Executive Director varied an Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) listing following revocation of a confidential business information (CBI) approval (Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 s94, relating to proper name), and then varied Inventory listing terms (s85) to add additional detail about Specific Information Requirements (SIRs) for two listed chemicals. The notice includes explicit written-notification obligations (e.g., to tell AICIS in writing within 28 calendar days) tied to listing conditions/secondary-notification-type triggers. Compliance teams should review affected Inventory listings and ensure internal procedures can meet any specified written notification timelines and content requirements.
AICIS publishes downloadable Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) snapshot (9 January 2026)
AICIS published a point-in-time downloadable snapshot of the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) dated 9 January 2026. While not a binding rule change, this official inventory transparency update can affect compliance screening and product stewardship workflows because introducers rely on the AIIC status/terms when determining whether an introduction is listed and what obligations apply. Compliance teams should use the snapshot as evidence of inventory status at that date and continue to use the AIIC search portal for the most current information, as the inventory is updated over time.
EPA publishes Federal Register notice: "Certain New Chemicals or Significant New Uses; Statements of Findings—October 2025"
EPA published a Federal Register notice compiling TSCA Section 5 New Chemicals Program "statements of findings" for October 2025, covering determinations for certain new chemicals or significant new uses. While not a new rulemaking, this notice is operationally relevant for compliance teams tracking EPA’s Section 5 outcomes, potential consent order patterns, and significant new use considerations tied to TSCA notifications (PMNs/SNUNs).
Kentucky HB 196: PFAS Working Group and Manufacturer Reporting Requirements
Under HB 196, Kentucky is establishing a PFAS Working Group to study health impacts and develop mitigation strategies. The law requires manufacturers of products containing intentionally added PFAS to submit chemical and usage information to the state to ensure public transparency and environmental safety. An initial PFAS report is due by January 1, 2027, with subsequent reporting required annually each January 1; the PFAS Working Group is required to convene its first meeting by September 1, 2026, submit its first annual mitigation report by December 1, 2026, and reporting obligations apply to manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the Commonwealth that contain intentionally added PFAS.
EPA provides update and Federal Register notice on expiration/extension process for TSCA Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims expiring starting June 2026
EPA published an update and accompanying Federal Register notice describing how it will implement expiration and extension procedures for TSCA CBI claims. EPA stated it will post lists of submissions with expiring CBI claims (first list in early spring 2026) and notify submitters via CDX; companies seeking to extend CBI protection must submit extension requests through CDX no later than 30 days before the claim expiration date with required substantiation. If no timely extension request is received, EPA may no longer be required to safeguard the information. Compliance teams should inventory TSCA submissions with CBI claims approaching the 10-year expiration window and prepare substantiations and CDX processes to file extension requests on time.
EPA publishes process update and Federal Register notice on expiring TSCA CBI claims beginning June 2026 (extensions via CDX required)
EPA announced (and published a Federal Register notice describing) the process it will use to notify submitters of upcoming TSCA confidential business information (CBI) claim expirations (generally 10 years after submission, under the 2016 TSCA amendments). EPA states the first expirations will begin in June 2026 and that it will post public lists of TSCA submissions with expiring claims (starting in spring 2026) and send direct notices via EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). To maintain confidentiality, companies must submit an extension request through CDX with required substantiation no later than 30 days before the claim’s expiration date. Compliance teams should inventory TSCA submissions with CBI claims, ensure CDX access/roles are in place, and prepare substantiation workflows ahead of the spring 2026 public list postings.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 1 (2026) strengthens dual-use export controls to Japan (end-use/end-user restrictions; extraterritorial liability)
MOFCOM Announcement No. 1 (2026) announces strengthened export controls on dual-use items destined for Japan. The measure prohibits exports of dual-use items to Japan for military end users, military end use, and other end users/end uses that help enhance Japan’s military capability. It also asserts liability for any organization/person in any country/region that transfers PRC-origin dual-use items to Japanese entities in violation. For PRC critical minerals compliance programs, this increases required end-use/end-user screening and diversion risk management for shipments involving Japan where controlled or potentially dual-use mineral products (including rare-earth/critical-mineral related items) may be implicated under PRC export control frameworks.
EPA Federal Register notice details process for TSCA CBI claims expiring starting June 2026 (CDX notices, public lists, and extension requests)
EPA published a Federal Register notice and supporting EPA webpage describing the process for upcoming expirations of TSCA Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims beginning in June 2026. EPA indicates it will (1) post the first public list of TSCA submissions with CBI claims expiring starting in June 2026 (planned for early spring 2026) and (2) send direct notifications to affected submitters via CDX. To maintain protection, submitters must file an extension request via CDX with required substantiation no later than 30 days prior to the claim’s expiration date. EPA also states it is developing a new CDX tool to collect extension requests and expects it to be available before June 2026; if delayed, EPA will post an update on the TSCA CBI website. Compliance teams should inventory affected TSCA submissions, monitor EPA’s posted lists/notifications, and prepare substantiation packages to meet the 30‑day pre-expiration submission timing.
EPA issues Federal Register notice and EPA webpage update detailing process for expiring TSCA CBI claims beginning June 2026 (CDX extension requests required)
EPA published an official process/timeline update for confidential business information (CBI) claims under TSCA that will begin expiring starting June 2026 (generally 10 years after submission). EPA explains it will post (in early spring) a first public list of submissions with expiring CBI claims, and will send direct notices via EPA’s CDX system. Companies seeking to maintain confidentiality must submit extension requests electronically via CDX no later than 30 days before the specific claim expiration date, including substantiation. This is operationally significant for TSCA compliance teams managing CBI portfolios and ensuring timely substantiation/extension workflows.
EPA publishes new default values/assumptions used in TSCA new chemical risk assessments (New Chemicals Division reference library)
EPA released technical resources describing common/default values used in TSCA new chemical risk assessments (e.g., occupational exposure and environmental release assumptions). While not a binding rule, the defaults are operationally important for PMN/SNUN submitters because they can affect EPA’s exposure estimates and risk determinations and therefore the quality and predictability of submissions and any resulting risk management measures.