All regulatory updates
1373 results found
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.
PIB parliamentary reply reiterates EWMR 2022 notification and cites amendment dates (30 Jan 2023; 24 Jul 2023) and EPR portal implementation statistics
A PIB-posted parliamentary reply on circular economy/EPR reiterates that the E‑Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 were notified on 02 Nov 2022 and references amendments dated 30 Jan 2023 and 24 Jul 2023. It also describes implementation status of online EPR portals (including for e‑waste) and provides operational statistics as of 05 Mar 2026 (e.g., registrations/certificates). This is not itself a new amendment, but provides official confirmation of the operative EWMR framework and implementation posture useful for compliance messaging and audit readiness.
UN Depositary issues notification of COP-6 adoption of amendments to Minamata Convention Annex A, triggering one-year non-acceptance window
The UN Secretary-General (Depositary) issued Depositary Notification C.N.114.2026.TREATIES-XXVII.17 communicating that COP-6 adopted amendments to Annex A (decision MC/COP.6/Dec.3). The notification explains the Article 27 procedure: Parties have one year from the date of the depositary communication to notify non-acceptance; otherwise, the amendment enters into force for Parties that do not object after that one-year period (with special handling for Parties that made an Article 30(5) declaration). This is a formal treaty-level legal update and a compliance-tracking trigger for Parties and stakeholders supporting implementation planning.
PackUK publishes first Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement for EPR scheme
PackUK has published its first Producer Fee Modulation Policy Statement for the UK's packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme. The policy establishes a 3-year framework adjusting producer fees based on packaging recyclability assessed through the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) using RAG ratings. Starting from the 2026-2027 financial year, the policy applies escalating modulation factors (1.2x in Year 1, 1.6x in Year 2, 2.0x in Year 3) to incentivize sustainable packaging design.
New Jersey Extends PFAS Firefighting Foam Ban Compliance Deadline to January 2027
New Jersey extended the compliance deadline for the PFAS-containing Class B firefighting foam ban from January 8, 2026 to January 1, 2027. The state implemented a historic collection and disposal program with over 400 fire departments participating and approximately 150,000 gallons of AFFF expected for collection. The program is funded with $16.6 million in state appropriations, with waste destruction via supercritical water oxidation. Fire departments are responsible for transitioning to fluorine-free alternatives. Updated compliance guidance documents were issued in March 2026, including FAQs on the law, foam policy, and application procedures.
SF 4758 proposes agricultural products exemption from PFAS regulations
SF 4758, introduced March 20, 2026, proposes to exempt agricultural products and equipment from certain regulations governing products containing PFAS under Minn. Stat. 116.943. The bill would amend subdivisions 3, 7, and 8 of section 116.943 and repeal certain definitions. This follows industry concerns about PFAS regulations impacting agricultural equipment and pesticide products.
UK Defra opens consultation on amendments to add MCCPs, LC‑PFCAs and chlorpyrifos (among others) to Annex I
Defra opened a public consultation on proposed legislative amendments to the GB-assimilated POPs Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as it applies in Great Britain). The proposal would add medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs; their salts and related compounds) and chlorpyrifos to Annex I (prohibitions on manufacture, use and placing on the market), alongside other substances. The consultation also seeks input on topics such as unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limits and exemptions approach, which may affect compliance planning and product composition/supply-chain controls for GB market access.
UK Consultation on POPs Amendment Regulations 2026
Defra is consulting on proposed amendments to Annex I of the assimilated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The draft Statutory Instrument proposes to prohibit 5 new POPs in Great Britain, implementing Stockholm Convention COP-12 decisions. The consultation ran from 18 March 2026 to 13 May 2026. The proposed regulations would come into force on 16 December 2026 and include new substance listings and concentration limits aligned with international obligations.
UK Defra opens consultation on draft Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Defra launched an 8-week public consultation on proposed amendments to Great Britain’s POPs regime (GB-assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/1021). The consultation seeks views on potential changes to Annex I restrictions to align with Stockholm Convention-related updates (including adding newly listed POPs/controls), which would affect compliance for manufacturers, importers, and waste handlers dealing with POPs-containing substances and articles.
UK opens consultation on POPs Regulation amendments for 5 new substances
UK opened a public consultation on proposed amendments to the assimilated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. The consultation sought views on draft legislation to prohibit 5 new POPs in Great Britain, implementing UK obligations under the Stockholm Convention. The draft Statutory Instrument proposes amendments to Annex I of the POPs Regulation with a commencement date of December 16, 2026.
Platform on Sustainable Finance issues advice on revised ESRS consultation
The Platform on Sustainable Finance, the Commission's expert advisory body, published its formal response to the Commission's consultation on revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The advice was submitted on March 18, 2026 in the context of the Omnibus I package amendments to CSRD. The Commission committed to adopt a Delegated Act to revise the first set of ESRS based on EFRAG's technical advice provided on December 3, 2025, and taking into consideration the Platform's input. The Commission plans to adopt the revised ESRS Delegated Act before summer 2026.
European Commission page indicates a new consolidated version of CSRD Directive (EU) 2022/2464 dated 18 March 2026 (amendments incorporated)
EUR-Lex listings for Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD) indicate the act "has been changed" and that a "current consolidated version" exists dated 18/03/2026. This signals that CSRD has been amended and the consolidated text has been updated accordingly; compliance teams should consult the consolidated text and the specific amending act(s) to confirm any revised obligations, scope, and dates reflected as of that consolidation date.
UK Defra opens consultation on potential amendments to the UK POPs regime (Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a public consultation on draft amendments to the UK Persistent Organic Pollutants regulatory framework, which implements the Stockholm Convention domestically. Compliance teams should review the consultation materials to assess proposed changes to POP restrictions/controls and prepare input before the consultation closes (close date not provided in the supplied research text).
New Zealand EPA opens consultation to restrict chlorpyrifos, MCCPs and LC‑PFCAs under HSNO Schedule 2A
New Zealand EPA opened a public consultation on proposed domestic implementation of the Stockholm Convention COP-12 (May 2025) listings of chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs; their salts and related compounds). The proposal involves amending Schedule 2A of the HSNO Act (and related schedules/references) to establish prohibitions/restrictions and align New Zealand controls with the Convention’s entry-into-force timeline referenced in EPA materials. Compliance teams should track the final national instruments, including any specific exemptions and import/export control interfaces referenced by EPA.
New Jersey S1281 proposes apparel amendment to Forever Chemicals Act
Senate Committee Substitute for S1281, adopted March 16, 2026, would amend P.L.2025, c.202 (the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act) to add apparel to the list of prohibited products containing intentionally added PFAS. Beginning two years after the effective date, the bill would prohibit the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS. Apparel is defined to include regular wear clothing, formal clothing, outdoor apparel, and outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions, but excludes personal protective equipment, military clothing, and motorcycle protective apparel.
EPA grants Massachusetts primacy extension to April 2028 for PFAS drinking water standards
EPA approved MassDEP's request for a Primacy Extension, extending Massachusetts' deadline to promulgate state PFAS drinking water regulations aligned with federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) to April 26, 2028. Massachusetts currently enforces a PFAS6 MCL of 20 ppt combined for six PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA), while federal standards establish 4 ppt individual limits for PFOA and PFOS. MassDEP will propose amendments to state regulations to be at least as stringent as federal MCLs.
HF 4257 proposes extending PFAS product reporting deadline to July 1, 2027
HF 4257, introduced March 12, 2026, proposes to modify the PFAS product reporting deadline from January 1, 2026 to 'Beginning July 1, 2027' and limit reporting to products manufactured on or after that date. The bill also clarifies the Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) provisions, exempting products designated as CUU from reporting requirements. Industry stakeholders including AHRI, RVIA, and AHI have submitted support letters citing compliance complexity and the need for additional time to gather supply chain information.
HF 4257 proposes extending Minnesota PFAS reporting deadline to July 2027
HF 4257, introduced in the Minnesota House on March 12, 2026, proposes to extend the deadline for manufacturers to report intentionally added PFAS in products sold in Minnesota from September 15, 2026 to approximately July 2027. The bill would also designate certain PFAS uses, including fluoropolymers, as currently unavoidable uses (CUUs), which would exempt those products from reporting requirements and the 2032 sales prohibition. Companion bill SF 5092 proposes similar changes in the Senate. The legislation would not change the information required in reports, which was finalized by MPCA in December 2025, and would leave existing PFAS prohibitions for the 11 product categories effective January 1, 2025 unchanged.
NJDCA Issues Implementation Guidance for PFAS Firefighting Foam Ban
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety, issued updated implementation guidance documents in March 2026 for P.L. 2023, c.243, the state's PFAS firefighting foam ban. The materials include updated guidance on Class B AFFF use, a detailed FAQ explaining the law's requirements, and a procedural policy for foam application. Fire departments across New Jersey must follow these procedures when managing and disposing of PFAS-containing firefighting foam.
CARB posts draft Tier 5 regulatory materials and subsequent errata/webcast materials (process update)
CARB’s Tier 5 program updates page reflects newly posted draft rulemaking materials (including draft regulation order and draft test procedures) and later postings such as a recorded webcast and errata to presentation materials. While not a final legal change, these postings signal evolution of draft requirements and test procedures; manufacturers and regulated parties tracking off-road engine/vehicle emissions standards should review updates for potential future compliance impacts and prepare technical comments when opportunities open.