All regulatory updates
1373 results found
ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations (REACH restriction process update)
ECHA posted an official process update indicating support for the proposed EU-wide PFAS restriction under REACH, including discussion of targeted derogations. While not a final legal restriction, this type of update is relevant for compliance teams because it signals likely scope/derogation direction and helps companies anticipate which uses may face bans, conditions, or transition periods in a future Annex XVII restriction.
ECHA issues SEAC consultation guidance for Universal PFAS Restriction
ECHA has published guidance for respondents for the SEAC consultation on the universal PFAS restriction draft opinion. This guidance document assists stakeholders in preparing submissions for the public consultation on SEAC's draft opinion regarding the proposed PFAS restriction under REACH. Organizations potentially affected by the PFAS restriction should review this guidance to participate effectively in the consultation process.
ECHA Committees Finalize Universal PFAS Restriction Opinion
On March 26, 2026, ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) finalized their scientific assessment of the Universal PFAS restriction proposal. The committees support restricting over 10,000 PFAS substances with targeted derogations for critical applications where alternatives are not yet available. The Commission will now prepare its formal restriction proposal based on ECHA's opinions.
SEAC Opens 60-Day Public Consultation on PFAS Restriction Draft Opinion
ECHA's Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) agreed its draft opinion supporting an EU-wide PFAS restriction with targeted derogations, following RAC's adoption of its final opinion. A 60-day public consultation on SEAC's draft opinion is now open for stakeholders to provide input on socio-economic aspects including availability of alternatives. Both committees support restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of PFAS with specific derogations for sectors where alternatives are not yet available.
ECHA announces consultation to be launched on draft SEAC opinion for PFAS restriction (process consultation notice)
ECHA posted an official notice indicating it would launch a consultation on the draft SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) opinion for the proposed EU-wide PFAS restriction under REACH. This is a key milestone in the restriction process: companies affected by potential PFAS restrictions should monitor the consultation window and prepare technical and socio-economic input to support derogation requests, transition periods, or alternative-risk-management arguments.
SEAC agrees draft opinion on PFAS restriction proposal (committee milestone)
ECHA posted an official update that its Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) agreed its draft opinion on the PFAS restriction proposal under REACH. This signals progression toward final RAC/SEAC opinions and eventual European Commission decision-making for an Annex XVII restriction. Compliance teams should use these committee milestones to accelerate PFAS inventory mapping, use-case justification, and substitution roadmaps aligned to likely restriction parameters and derogations.
EPA proposes extending certain compliance dates in TSCA §6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)
EPA announced a proposal to extend certain compliance dates in the final TSCA §6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC), stating it is working on revisions intended to make the rules more practical and implementable. Until EPA completes rulemaking, existing compliance dates remain in effect. Compliance teams should monitor the Federal Register publication and the associated comment process once opened.
EPA Proposes PCE and CTC TSCA Compliance Date Extensions
EPA proposes extending certain Workplace Chemical Protection Program compliance dates for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) TSCA rules. The extension aligns non-federal entity compliance dates with federal agency deadlines. The proposed timeline adjustment does not weaken existing protections or change the ultimate level of protection required. EPA intends to publish proposed rules amending various aspects in summer 2026.
EPA proposes extending compliance dates in TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)
EPA issued a proposal to extend certain compliance dates in the final TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) while EPA works to revise the rules. EPA indicates comments will be accepted upon publication of the Federal Register notice (docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992). Compliance teams subject to these TSCA Section 6 requirements should track the rulemaking because existing deadlines remain in effect until modified and future compliance dates may shift.
EPA Proposes PCE and CTC TSCA Compliance Date Extensions
EPA proposes extending certain compliance dates in the final risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under TSCA. The extensions would align non-federal entity compliance dates with federal agency deadlines. EPA states the proposed timeline adjustment does not weaken existing protections and current deadlines remain effective until modified through rulemaking. EPA intends to publish proposed rules revising these rules in summer 2026.
EPA proposes extending certain compliance dates in TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)
EPA announced a proposal to extend certain compliance dates in the final TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) to improve practical implementation (including Workplace Chemical Protection Program-related timelines). Until any amendments are finalized, currently-effective compliance dates remain in effect. EPA is seeking public comment via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992 on Regulations.gov.
Congressional Discussion Drafts Propose TSCA Fee Reauthorization and Statutory Revisions
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have released discussion drafts proposing to reauthorize TSCA fees (which expire September 30, 2026) and revise the 2016 Lautenberg amendments as they approach their ten-year mark. The proposals would affect fee structures for chemical manufacturers and processors under TSCA sections 4, 5, and 6 activities. Stakeholders should monitor legislative developments as reauthorization will impact compliance costs and potentially program procedures.
EPA proposes extending compliance dates in TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC)
EPA released a proposal to extend certain compliance dates in the final TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) while EPA works on further rule revisions. EPA states it is not revisiting the underlying TSCA unreasonable risk determinations and that protections are not being weakened. EPA indicates a 30-day public comment period will run upon Federal Register publication and points stakeholders to the rulemaking docket via Regulations.gov, which compliance teams should monitor for the Federal Register notice, specific extended dates, and applicability details.
UK Packaging PRO appointed to deliver EPR for packaging scheme
The UK government has appointed UK Packaging PRO as the producer-led Producer Responsibility Organisation to deliver the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging scheme. The PRO will work alongside PackUK (scheme administrator) to manage producer obligations, fee collection, and waste management responsibilities. Producers must register with the PRO to comply with EPR requirements. The PRO represents over 100 UK brands, retailers, and trade bodies and will invest approximately £1.4 billion in Year 1 of the scheme.
Member State dossier submitted proposing MCCP restriction under RoHS Annex II mechanism (Article 6(1))
An EC-hosted RoHS Annex II restriction dossier proposes adding Medium-Chained Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) as a restricted substance for electrical and electronic equipment under the RoHS Article 6(1) process (potential future Annex II amendment). This is a proposal/supporting dossier rather than a binding RoHS legal change; however, it signals a potential future substance restriction topic that compliance teams may want to monitor for portfolio and material-risk assessment.
EPA issues interim final rule extending certain compliance dates under the TSCA trichloroethylene (TCE) risk management rule
EPA issued an interim final rule under TSCA section 6 risk management for trichloroethylene (TCE) that extends certain compliance dates. The update affects specific TCE prohibitions (including a use as a processing aid in nuclear fuel manufacturing) and extends a prohibition related to disposal of TCE to wastewater, and also adjusts the downstream notification timeline (e.g., allowing a set period after publication of the final rule for notification changes). Compliance teams using or disposing of TCE in these affected scenarios should reassess internal phase-out plans, wastewater/disposal controls, supplier/customer notifications, and any related contract and SDS/labeling workflows to align with the extended timelines and any interim final rule conditions.
COP-6 Annex A amendments: UN Depositary notification triggers non-acceptance window; default entry into force 23 March 2027
The UN Depositary issued the formal notification of amendments to Annex A adopted at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-6). This starts the one-year period during which Parties may notify non-acceptance. For Parties that do not opt out, the amendments will enter into force on 23 March 2027 (per the notification). Compliance teams supporting Minamata obligations should track whether jurisdictions of interest lodge non-acceptance or require an additional instrument (for Parties with relevant declarations), and prepare for downstream national implementing measures reflecting the Annex A changes (e.g., mercury-added product controls such as dental amalgam and lamp-related provisions as referenced in COP-6 materials).
EPA confirms TSCA §8(a)(7) PFAS reporting window and deadlines on program webpage (Apr 13–Oct 13, 2026; small article importers until Apr 13, 2027)
EPA’s TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting and recordkeeping webpage reiterates the reporting window for covered manufacturers (including importers) and the separate deadline for small manufacturers that only report as PFAS article importers. Compliance teams should use these dates to finalize internal data collection, supplier outreach, and CDX submission planning for the one-time PFAS reporting rule.
UK Packaging PRO appointed to deliver EPR packaging scheme
UK Packaging PRO has been formally appointed as the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to deliver the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for packaging scheme. The formal appointment commenced on April 1, 2026, with responsibilities introduced gradually. The pEPR scheme provides £1.4 billion in Year 1 funding to local authorities to improve packaging waste collection and recycling while incentivizing producers to reduce their material footprint. PackUK will maintain oversight of the PRO and ensure accountability to the UK's four nations.
ECHA to consult on PFAS draft restriction opinion in spring 2026
ECHA announced it will launch a 60-day public consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion for the proposed EU-wide REACH restriction on PFAS after SEAC’s March 2026 meeting. This is a procedural milestone enabling stakeholder input on the socio-economic assessment and alternatives; it does not itself impose new PFAS restrictions yet. Compliance teams should prepare to review the draft opinion and submit comments during the consultation window (once opened), especially if they have PFAS uses potentially affected by the proposed universal restriction.