All regulatory updates
1479 results found
Commission Launches New Digital Product Passport Web Portal
The European Commission launched a new dedicated Digital Product Passport (DPP) web page on July 17, 2026, serving as the central authoritative source for all DPP-related information. The portal provides stakeholder-specific guidance for economic operators, consumers, public authorities, and repairers/recyclers, along with latest news, webinars, events calendar, FAQs, supporting documentation, and sector-specific guidance pages. The portal will expand progressively with new guidance, legislative updates, and technical resources.
On 17 July 2026, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added four new carcinogenic substances to the California Proposition 65 list. The newly listed substances are: Welding Fumes Hydrochlorothiazide Voriconazole Tacrolimus The addition of these substances requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to review their products and supply chains to determine whether products sold in California may expose consumers or workers to these listed chemicals. Where exposures exceed the applicable safe harbor levels (or where no safe harbor level exists and exposures require assessment), businesses may be required to provide Proposition 65 warnings.
On 17 July 2026, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added four new carcinogenic substances to the California Proposition 65 list. The newly listed substances are: Welding Fumes Hydrochlorothiazide Voriconazole Tacrolimus The addition of these substances requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to review their products and supply chains to determine whether products sold in California may expose consumers or workers to these listed chemicals. Where exposures exceed the applicable safe harbor levels (or where no safe harbor level exists and exposures require assessment), businesses may be required to provide Proposition 65 warnings.
New Hampshire Adopts Env-Sw 2300 PFAS Product Control Rules Effective July 2026
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has adopted Env-Sw 2300 - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Products Control Program, establishing the regulatory framework for implementing RSA 149-M:64 (HB 1649). The rules require manufacturers and suppliers to provide Certificates of Compliance upon NHDES request within 30 days, establish administrative fines of $2,000 per violation for selling prohibited PFAS-added products or submitting false certificates, and define compliance certificate requirements. Compliance certificates must be submitted to PFASConsumerProducts@des.nh.gov. The rules support enforcement of the January 1, 2027 product ban on carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, juvenile products, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, and waxes for boats, skis, and surfboards containing intentionally added PFAS.
Commission adopts Delegated Regulation adding portable battery removability exemptions
The Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation introducing new rules that exempt additional products from EU requirements on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries. Under the Batteries Regulation, portable batteries in products sold in the EU must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers. The new exemptions apply to specific product categories such as medical devices and 'wet appliances' (e.g., electric toothbrushes, water flossers) where technical or safety considerations justify derogations from the standard requirements.
Commission publishes updated guidelines on battery removability and replaceability (C(2026) 5032)
The European Commission published updated Commission Notice C(2026) 5032 providing guidelines to facilitate the harmonised application of provisions on the removability and replaceability of portable and LMT batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. This updated guidance supersedes the earlier C/2025/214 published in January 2025, providing clarified requirements for manufacturers and economic operators regarding battery design, replaceability criteria, and product compliance for portable and light means of transport batteries.
BIS grants enhanced favorable treatment for UAE under EAR
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule granting enhanced favorable treatment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The UAE has been removed from Country Groups D:3 and D:4 and reclassified to Country Group A:5 (Major Defense Partners). This action eliminates certain restrictions on support for UAE unmanned aerial vehicle programs and expands license-free export opportunities for dual-use items, advanced computing items, and certain military items under License Exception STA. The rule also authorizes license-free exports, reexports, and in-country transfers for certain government and commercial end-users in the UAE. Compliance teams should review the specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements associated with these new authorizations.
NY AG Sues 3M, DuPont, and Chemours for PFAS Pollution
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against major chemical companies including 3M, EIDP (DuPont), and Chemours for decades of PFAS pollution linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. The lawsuit alleges the companies knowingly caused toxic PFAS contamination from consumer products. This enforcement action seeks accountability for environmental and public health damages.
Commission announces second Battery DPP webinar for July 2026
The European Commission is hosting a second webinar on the EU Digital Product Passport for Batteries on July 7, 2026. The session will cover the latest updates on DPP requirements, key compliance obligations, and industry perspectives for the battery value chain. Battery DPP becomes mandatory on February 18, 2027, making this guidance critical for EV battery, industrial battery (above 2 kWh), and LMT battery manufacturers preparing for compliance.
Commission Adopts Revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards with Major Simplifications
The European Commission adopted revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) on 3 July 2026 with significant simplifications. Mandatory data points have been reduced by over 60% (from approximately 1,100 to 430). Key changes include a new 'top-down' materiality assessment approach, greater flexibility for value chain reporting including use of proxies and estimates, prohibition on reporting non-material information, phase-in periods for financial effects disclosures, and alignment with global standards for GHG emissions reporting boundaries. The revised standards apply to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2027, with early adoption permitted for FY2026.
Commission Adopts Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Non-Mandatory Reporters
The European Commission adopted Commission Delegated Regulation C(2026) 5011 establishing a voluntary sustainability reporting standard for undertakings not subject to mandatory CSRD requirements. The voluntary standard provides a simplified and standardized framework for undertakings with fewer than 1,000 employees that are protected under the Omnibus I value chain cap, enabling them to report sustainability information voluntarily and access sustainable financing. It includes a Basic Module covering general information, environment, and social metrics, and a Comprehensive Module with additional disclosures for larger undertakings. The standard also defines the information that reporting undertakings may request from value chain partners under the value chain cap provisions.
Commission adopts revised ESRS reducing mandatory datapoints by over 60%
On July 3, 2026, the European Commission adopted revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and a voluntary reporting standard for smaller companies. The revised standards reduce mandatory datapoints by over 60% (from approximately 1,100 to roughly 430) and total datapoints by over 70%, with expected reporting cost reductions of more than 30% per company. The standards introduce a 'value chain cap' limiting information requests from CSRD companies to SMEs with 1,000 or fewer employees. The delegated acts are now under scrutiny by the European Parliament and Council (2-month period, extendable by 2 months) before entering into force. Companies should prepare to apply the simplified standards for FY 2027 reporting.
New Jersey Reaches Historic Settlement with 3M Over PFAS Contamination
New Jersey reached a historic settlement with 3M over PFAS contamination claims. The settlement addresses consumer impacts, penalties, and punitive damages related to PFAS contamination of New Jersey's water supplies and natural resources. A formal notice of the proposed settlement was expected to be published in July. This settlement signals enforcement risk for PFAS manufacturers and users.
NYSDEC Proposes First-in-Nation PFAS Landfill Regulations
NYSDEC proposed first-in-nation regulations designed to prevent PFAS contamination from landfills from entering waterways. The regulations represent a pioneering approach to controlling PFAS emissions from waste management facilities and protecting water resources.
Proposition 65 Omnibus 2026 Pre-Rulemaking Workshop Scheduled
OEHHA will host an in-person and online workshop on July 30, 2026, to discuss potential amendments to the Proposition 65 regulations as part of the Omnibus 2026 pre-rulemaking process. OEHHA will publish potential regulatory amendments on its website prior to the workshop. Stakeholders should monitor for proposed changes that may affect warning requirements, listing procedures, or other compliance obligations.
MPCA releases PRISM 1.3 with expanded processing and storage capacity
The PFAS Reporting Information System for Manufacturers (PRISM) version 1.3 was released in July 2026 with expanded processing and storage capacity. PRISM is the official system used by manufacturers to submit PFAS in product reports and pay related fees as required under Amara's Law.
California textile EPR law requires producer registration by July 1, 2026
California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), the first extended producer responsibility law for textiles in the United States, requires producers to register by July 1, 2026. Companies defined as producers under the law must register with the designated Producer Responsibility Organization. This law marks a major shift for the apparel industry and introduces significant changes to how textile waste is managed in California.
NJDEP Adopts Site Remediation Standards for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS and GenX
New Jersey formally adopted site remediation standards for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, and GenX compounds. These standards establish cleanup requirements for contaminated sites undergoing remediation in New Jersey, providing compliance teams with specific thresholds for these PFAS compounds in site remediation contexts.
Rhode Island DEM Clarifies Cookware Scope for Consumer PFAS Ban
Rhode Island DEM issued guidance clarifying that electric cookware with PFAS-coated food-contact surfaces is subject to the Consumer PFAS Ban, while internal and electronic cookware components, large appliances, and small complex appliances (e.g., electric coffee machines) are not subject to the ban. The guidance also confirms that RIDEM may consider additional items to fall under 'cookware' if used to prepare, dispense, or store food or beverages.
CARB Proposes Deferral of SB 253 GHG Reporting Deadline to November 10, 2026
CARB announced a proposed three-month deferral of the first-year reporting deadline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions under the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253). The original August 10, 2026 deadline would be extended to November 10, 2026. This change is proposed as part of a 15-day modification to the Initial Regulation, which was withdrawn from the Office of Administrative Law to make limited clarifying changes. CARB indicated it will use enforcement discretion for good-faith first-year submissions.
EPA Seeks Information for Asbestos Legacy Uses Risk Management Rule
EPA is seeking public input to develop a durable TSCA regulation for legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos (Part 2 risk management rule). TSCA section 6(c)(1)(C) authorizes EPA to adjust the proposed rule deadline when additional information is necessary. EPA finalized the asbestos Part 2 risk evaluation in December 2024. The agency requests information on activities that disturb asbestos-containing materials, use of legacy products, and air-sampling methods.