All regulatory updates
1373 results found
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.
New Jersey A3125 proposes PFAS ban in menstrual products
Assembly Bill 3125, as amended and reported by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee on February 12, 2026, would prohibit the sale or distribution of menstrual products containing intentionally added PFAS. The bill defines menstrual products as those manufactured for catching menstruation and vaginal discharge, including tampons, sanitary pads, discs, menstrual cups, and underwear, covering both disposable and reusable products. Intentionally added PFAS is defined to include PFAS added to provide specific characteristics or perform specific functions.
FHWA Proposes EV Charger Domestic Content Threshold Increase to 100%
FHWA issued a notice proposing to modify the February 2023 EV Charger Waiver by increasing the domestic component cost threshold from 55% to potentially up to 100%. The proposal cites national security concerns regarding foreign-produced electronic components and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The comment period closed on March 16, 2026, with 290 comments received. If finalized, EV charger manufacturers would need to significantly increase domestic component sourcing for FHWA-funded projects.
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.
Applied Materials pays $252M penalty for illegal semiconductor equipment exports to China
BIS imposed a $252 million penalty on Applied Materials—the second-highest penalty ever assessed by BIS—for illegally exporting semiconductor manufacturing equipment to an Entity List company in China. The company routed shipments through Korea to evade license requirements. The case demonstrates BIS's aggressive enforcement posture toward semiconductor-related export violations and efforts to circumvent Entity List restrictions.
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.
Illinois State Fire Marshal submits 2025 PFAS firefighting foam survey report
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal submitted its 2025 report on Intentionally Added PFAS in Illinois Firefighting Foam on February 11, 2026, as required under the PFAS Reduction Act (415 ILCS 170), established by Public Act 102-0290. The report summarizes the OSFM survey of the Illinois fire service to determine the prevalence and use of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS. Fire departments and municipalities should review this report for current PFAS foam inventory status and compliance planning under the Act's restrictions on PFAS-containing foam manufacture, sale, and use.
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.
ESPR Implementing Regulation 2026/2 sets disclosure format for discarded unsold products
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2 establishes a standardized format for disclosing information on discarded unsold consumer products under ESPR. Large enterprises must report the number, weight, and reasons for discarding products categorized by Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes, the proportion delivered to waste treatment operations, and measures taken to prevent destruction. A 5-year record-keeping requirement applies. Applies from March 2, 2027 for large enterprises; medium-sized enterprises from July 19, 2030; micro and small enterprises are exempt.
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.
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.
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 Delegated Regulation defining ESPR destruction ban derogations
The European Commission adopted Commission Delegated Regulation C(2026) 659 final establishing six specific derogations from the prohibition on destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear under ESPR. Companies may destroy unsold products only under defined circumstances: health/hygiene/safety reasons, irreparable damage during handling or detected after return, non-acceptance of products offered for donation, unsuitability for preparing for reuse or remanufacturing, unsaleability due to intellectual property rights infringement, or when destruction represents the option with least negative environmental impacts. Documentation requirements apply. The regulation takes effect alongside the destruction ban on July 19, 2026 for large enterprises and extends to medium enterprises from July 19, 2030.
ESPR destruction ban takes effect for large enterprises July 2026
Under ESPR Article 20, the prohibition on destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear takes effect on July 19, 2026 for large enterprises. Medium-sized enterprises must comply from July 19, 2030. The ban covers products under CN codes 4203, 61, 62, 6504, 6505 (apparel and clothing accessories) and 6401, 6402, 6403, 6404, 6405 (footwear). Companies must implement alternative practices such as resale, donation to social economy entities, reuse, repair, refurbishment, or recycling instead of destruction. The February 2026 delegated regulation defines specific derogations under which destruction may still be permitted.
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.
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.