All regulatory updates
894 results found
ECHA Member State Committee (MSC) established an ad hoc working group for SVHC 'equivalent level of concern' (Article 57(f)) cases
ECHA reported that the Member State Committee established an ad hoc working group and adopted its mandate to address SVHC identifications based on an ‘equivalent level of concern’ under REACH Article 57(f). While not a Candidate List addition itself, this governance/process development may affect how future Article 57(f) SVHC proposals are assessed and progressed, informing compliance teams’ monitoring of SVHC pipeline dynamics.
ECHA Member State Committee establishes ad hoc working group on SVHC “equivalent level of concern” (Article 57(f)) cases
ECHA’s Member State Committee (MSC) established an ad hoc working group on SVHC identifications based on an “equivalent level of concern” under REACH Article 57(f) and adopted its mandate. This is a procedural/governance development relevant to the REACH SVHC identification process (not a Candidate List addition itself), and may affect how Article 57(f) SVHC proposals are assessed/handled going forward. Compliance teams should monitor subsequent MSC outputs for potential impacts to SVHC identification criteria, consistency of decisions, and prioritisation signals for future Candidate List additions.
FHWA issues notice proposing modification of EV charger Buy America waiver (potentially raising domestic content threshold up to 100%)
FHWA published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on a proposed modification to the waiver of Buy America requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers used in Federal-aid highway projects under BABA/Buy America implementation. The proposal seeks input on potentially increasing the domestic content threshold for EV charger components beyond the current 55% (up to 100%), while retaining U.S. final assembly. FHWA states it will decide whether to continue, modify, or discontinue the waiver after considering comments; if finalized, the change would apply to projects obligated after publication of a final notice. Compliance teams supporting EV charging infrastructure (manufacturers, contractors, and recipients) should monitor the docket and be prepared for a higher domestic-component content requirement if adopted.
FHWA publishes notice of proposed modification of EV charger Buy America waiver
FHWA issued a Federal Register notice proposing to modify the existing Buy America waiver for electric vehicle chargers and seeking public input. The proposal signals potential tightening of waiver terms (e.g., domestic content thresholds and applicability conditions) for EV chargers used in FHWA-funded projects. Compliance teams supplying EV charging equipment into federally supported transportation projects should review the proposal and prepare to adjust sourcing/certifications if the waiver is narrowed or modified.
EUR-Lex Official Journal notice referenced by ECHA Weekly: extension of validity of multiple existing REACH authorisations for chromium (VI) substances
ECHA Weekly references an Official Journal (EUR-Lex) notice concerning extension of the validity of multiple existing REACH authorisations related to chromium (VI) substances. This affects the SVHC authorisation landscape by maintaining/adjusting the validity period of existing authorisations, which can impact downstream user coverage, supply continuity planning, and authorisation renewal strategy for chromium(VI) uses. Specific details were not extractable from the research text beyond the reference.
EPA proposed amendments to TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards (add ISO 12460-2:2024 QC option; update incorporated standards)
EPA proposed amendments to the TSCA Title VI Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products. The proposal would add ISO 12460-2:2024(en) (small-scale chamber method) as an additional quality control test method for measuring formaldehyde emissions and update incorporation-by-reference to current versions of voluntary consensus standards. Compliance teams for composite wood product manufacturers, importers, fabricators, certifiers, and third-party labs should review the proposed test-method/standard updates and submit comments by the stated deadline, as adoption would affect testing, certification, and documentation practices under TSCA Title VI.
Oregon court dismisses multiple claims against Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act
An Oregon court dismissed multiple claims against the state's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which establishes extended producer responsibility requirements for packaging. The judicial decision supports continued implementation of the EPR program, reinforcing regulatory certainty for producers subject to Oregon's packaging producer responsibility obligations.
Commission adopts Delegated Regulation on ESPR destruction ban derogations for unsold textiles
Commission Delegated Regulation C(2026) 659 final establishes specific derogations from the ESPR prohibition on destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear. Permitted derogations include: health/hygiene/safety reasons; damage that cannot be cost-effectively repaired; unfitness for intended purpose; non-acceptance of products offered for donation; unsuitability for preparing for reuse or remanufacturing; unsaleability due to intellectual property rights infringement; and destruction being the option with least negative environmental impacts. Destruction ban takes effect 19 July 2026 for large enterprises and 19 July 2030 for medium-sized enterprises.
Commission adopts Implementing Regulation on standardized disclosure format for discarded unsold products
The European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation C(2026) 660 final under the ESPR, establishing standardized rules for disclosing information on discarded unsold consumer products. The regulation requires disclosure of Combined Nomenclature codes, quantities and weights of discarded units, reasons for discarding, and proportions prepared for reuse, recycling, recovery, or disposal. Large companies must comply with the standardized format from February 2027; medium-sized companies from 2030.
Commission adopts implementing regulation laying down common details and format for annual disclosure on discarded unsold consumer products under ESPR Article 24
On 9 Feb 2026, the European Commission adopted a Commission Implementing Regulation (C(2026) 660 final) laying down rules for application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR) as regards the details and common format for the mandatory annual disclosure of information on discarded unsold consumer products (ESPR Article 24). The implementing act standardises how companies must report (including product category delineation using Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes and the required disclosure tables/templates in annexes) and includes documentation/recordkeeping and verification principles for competent authorities (risk-based approach described in annexes). Compliance teams should align internal data collection, classification (CN coding), and evidence retention processes to the required format to ensure future disclosures are complete and auditable.
Commission adopts delegated regulation setting derogations from the ESPR prohibition on destruction of unsold apparel/footwear
On 9 Feb 2026, the European Commission adopted a Commission Delegated Regulation (C(2026) 659 final) supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR) by specifying derogations (exceptions) to the ESPR Article 25 prohibition on destruction of unsold consumer products for the Annex VII categories (apparel/clothing accessories/footwear). The delegated act operationalises when destruction may be permitted and the conditions/evidence expectations relevant for competent-authority verification (per the act and explanatory memorandum). Compliance teams in relevant sectors should map current returns/unsold goods handling workflows to the derogation conditions, implement decision controls and evidence retention, and update internal policies ahead of the ESPR ban’s application to large companies referenced in Commission materials.
PBT assessment list migrated to ECHA CHEM database
ECHA's Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity (PBT) assessment list is now available in the new ECHA CHEM database as of February 9, 2026. The PBT assessment list includes substances undergoing PBT/vPvB assessment that have been brought for discussion to ECHA's PBT Expert Group. To guarantee a smooth transition, ECHA will maintain the up-to-date list in both the legacy location and ECHA CHEM for the time being. This migration is part of ECHA's broader transition to consolidate regulatory data access in the new ECHA CHEM platform.
EPA publishes 'year one' roundup of PFAS actions
EPA published a program-level roundup summarizing actions taken on PFAS across regulatory programs. While not itself a binding rule, the announcement signals EPA’s current PFAS policy and implementation priorities and can affect compliance planning by indicating where rulemaking, implementation support, or enforcement emphasis may occur next.
EPA final rule adds sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS‑Na) to TRI as a PFAS chemical of special concern (100 lb threshold); reporting starts 2026 with first reports due July 1, 2027
US EPA finalized a TRI rule adding sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS‑Na) to the Toxics Release Inventory as a PFAS chemical of special concern. Facilities subject to TRI must begin tracking releases and other reportable waste management quantities for PFHxS‑Na for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2026. The first Form R submissions covering PFHxS‑Na will be due July 1, 2027. The rule applies a 100 lb reporting threshold as a chemical of special concern, increasing compliance and data management obligations for TRI reporters handling PFHxS‑Na.
EPA opens public comment on proposed updates to TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products (new QC test method and updated referenced standards)
EPA released a proposed rule under TSCA Title VI (Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products) to add a new quality control (QC) test method (including ISO 12460-2:2024(en) as referenced in the EPA materials) and make technical updates to incorporated voluntary consensus standards. The proposal is open for public comment via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0245. Compliance teams in composite wood products and downstream product supply chains should track potential changes to acceptable QC testing methods and referenced standards used for demonstrating conformity.
EPA publishes ‘year one’ roundup of PFAS actions highlighting ongoing regulatory and enforcement initiatives
EPA issued a public roundup summarizing major PFAS actions taken during the first year of the current administration, including coordination and continued emphasis on regulatory and enforcement activities addressing PFAS risks. While the release is programmatic rather than a discrete rule text amendment, it can inform compliance teams about EPA priorities, active PFAS initiatives, and likely areas of near-term regulatory attention.
EPA publishes “year one” roundup of PFAS actions highlighting ongoing regulatory and enforcement initiatives
EPA issued a news release summarizing major PFAS actions taken during the first year of the administration, signaling continued cross-program PFAS priorities (e.g., regulatory actions, implementation efforts, and enforcement posture). While not itself a binding legal change, this roundup can influence compliance planning by indicating areas of anticipated scrutiny and policy direction.
EPA proposes updates to TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products (new QC test method and updated incorporated standards)
EPA issued a proposed rule to amend the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products regulations under TSCA Title VI by adding a new quality control test method (ISO 12460-2:2024(en) small-scale chamber method) and making technical updates to incorporated voluntary consensus standards. Compliance teams in the composite wood products supply chain should review the proposed updates to referenced standards/test methods and submit comments within the stated comment period once published in the Federal Register.
Maryland MDE publishes proposed COMAR 26.04.14 packaging/paper EPR regulations for public comment and issues draft compliance guide/FAQs
Maryland MDE posted proposed “Packaging and Paper Products – Producer Responsibility” regulations (COMAR 26.04.14) for review and comment (published in the Maryland Register on Feb 6, 2026) with a stated public comment deadline of March 9, 2026. MDE also published a draft compliance guide/FAQs addressing initial implementation focus such as producer/brand registration, covered/exempt materials, definitions, and recordkeeping. The materials reference a July 1, 2026 date as a key compliance milestone (registration obligations as described in the draft guidance). Compliance teams should (1) evaluate whether they are an obligated producer for covered packaging/paper products in Maryland, (2) prepare to register by July 1, 2026 if the proposal proceeds as drafted, and (3) submit comments to MDE by March 9, 2026 if changes are needed.
EPA proposes updates to incorporated voluntary consensus standards for TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emissions standards (incl. adding ISO 12460-2:2024 QC test method)
EPA issued a proposed rule to update the incorporation by reference (IBR) of multiple voluntary consensus standards in 40 CFR Part 770 (TSCA Title VI—Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products). EPA also proposes adding ISO 12460-2:2024(en) as an additional small-scale quality control chamber test method and making related conforming updates (e.g., scope/definitions). Compliance teams in composite wood products and downstream supply chains should review whether current QA/QC testing methods and referenced standards would need updating if the rule is finalized, and should consider submitting comments to the docket by the stated deadline (March 13, 2026).