All regulatory updates
1373 results found
EPA updates OTAQ BABA Implementation Procedures (FAQ memorandum) for OTAQ-administered financial assistance programs
EPA OTAQ updated its BABA implementation procedures/FAQ memorandum for OTAQ-administered financial assistance programs (e.g., Clean School Bus-related infrastructure, Clean Ports, and other OTAQ programs). The update provides implementation guidance affecting applicability determinations, documentation expectations, and waiver handling, and includes example contract language and an example certification letter—items commonly flowed down to contractors/suppliers to demonstrate BABA compliance on funded projects.
EPA OTAQ Issues BABA Implementation Procedures for Transportation Programs
EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) has issued implementation procedures for the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) applicable to OTAQ programs. The guidance addresses key compliance questions including the definition of federal financial assistance, the effective date of BABA requirements, and sunset provisions. This implementation guidance helps recipients of EPA transportation-related federal financial assistance understand their domestic content obligations under BABA.
EPA OTAQ updates BABA Implementation Procedures (memo/FAQs) for OTAQ programs
EPA OTAQ updated its BABA implementation procedures (FAQ-style memorandum) for OTAQ-administered federal financial assistance programs (e.g., DERA, Clean School Bus-related infrastructure, Clean Ports). The updated procedures clarify applicability (including that BABA applies to infrastructure components) and outline documentation and waiver-related expectations for recipients and contractors. Compliance teams supporting EPA-funded infrastructure projects should align procurement documentation, domestic-content substantiation, and waiver request workflows with the revised OTAQ procedures.
BIS streamlines export controls for civil drone exports to trusted allies
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule easing export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to facilitate exports to trusted allies. ECCN 9A012.a.1 UAVs (30-60 minute endurance, stable in winds ≥25 knots) now have reason for control changed from NS Column 1 to NS Column 2, enabling license-free export to Country Group A:1 destinations (Wassenaar states). Missile Technology-controlled UAVs (ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120) are now eligible for License Exception STA to Country Group A:5 destinations, except UAVs capable of delivering ≥500 kg payload to ≥300 km range. Implements Executive Order 14307 'Unleashing American Drone Dominance.'
BIS interim final rule streamlines export controls for certain civil UAVs and expands STA eligibility for specified MT-controlled UAVs
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 740 and 774) to ease export/reexport/transfer requirements for certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Key changes include: (1) for ECCN 9A012.a.1 short-endurance civil UAVs, BIS revised the reason for control from NS Column 1 (NS1) to NS Column 2 (NS2), expanding no-license-required (NLR) eligibility to more destinations (as described in the rule); (2) BIS expanded License Exception STA by adding § 740.20(c)(1)(ii), allowing certain Missile Technology (MT)-controlled UAVs in ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120 to use STA for exports/reexports/transfers to or within Country Group A:5, while maintaining an exclusion for UAVs capable of delivering ≥500 kg payload to a range of ≥300 km; and (3) BIS made conforming/implementing text edits including to § 740.20(b)(2)(iii) and STA carve-outs in § 740.2(a)(5). The rule was effective January 20, 2026, and BIS requested public comments by February 19, 2026. Compliance teams exporting commercial/civil UAVs should reassess classification (ECCN), destination eligibility (Country Group A:1 vs A:5), STA eligibility conditions, and any internal screening/controls tied to MT parameters.
EPA Updates OTAQ BABA Implementation Procedures with New Waiver Guidance
EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality issued updated BABA Implementation Procedures (January 2026) covering DERA, Clean School Bus, Clean Ports, and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles programs. Updates include: new guidance on Cognizant Agency determinations for multi-agency funded projects; clarified Purpose, Time, and Place (PTP) test for project scope; new Appendix 5 on Waiver Request Process; and new Q5.15 on De Minimis Waiver for mobile equipment and fueling infrastructure. Notably clarifies that for the Clean School Bus Program, BABA applies to charging infrastructure but NOT to the school buses themselves.
FEMA Issues Buy America Preference Policy Revision 1
FEMA has issued Revision 1 of Policy #207-22-0001, updating guidance on FEMA's implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act for financial assistance programs for infrastructure. This revision supersedes the April 25, 2024 version. The policy establishes a 55% domestic content threshold for manufactured products and requires all iron/steel to be produced in the US and all construction materials to be manufactured in the US. Infrastructure projects obligated under FEMA awards after one year from the effective date are subject to this policy.
FEMA revises Buy America Preference Policy for infrastructure financial assistance
FEMA issued Policy #207-22-0001, Revision 1 revising its Buy America Preference in FEMA Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure. The revised policy provides updated guidance on FEMA's implementation of BABA requirements for infrastructure projects receiving FEMA financial assistance, superseding the April 25, 2024 version. The policy clarifies applicability to federal awards obligating funds for infrastructure projects after one year from the effective date.
BIS issued an interim final rule easing export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The rule eliminates license requirements for low-risk commercial drones to most Wassenaar Arrangement countries (Country Group A:1) and allows certain UAVs to be exported under License Exception STA to Country Group A:5 partners.
The BIS has issued an interim final rule to streamline export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This update reduces regulatory burden for low-risk commercial drone exports while maintaining national security safeguards.
Sixth National Report due 31 August 2026; Stockholm Convention Electronic Reporting System updated for 6th report
The Stockholm Convention Electronic Reporting System (SC-ERS) has been updated to support Parties’ 6th national report submissions under Article 15. The compliance-relevant deadline for submission of the Sixth National Report is stated as 31 August 2026; the page also notes system availability in all UN languages by 15 January 2026. Compliance teams supporting Party reporting should plan data collection, validation and internal approvals against the stated submission deadline and ensure teams can access the updated questionnaire in the SC-ERS.
BIS revises license review policy for advanced computing commodities to China and Macau
BIS changed the license review policy from presumption of denial to case-by-case review for exports of certain advanced computing commodities to China and Macau. The policy applies to semiconductors including Nvidia H200 and AMD MI325X that are commercially available in the U.S. with Total Processing Performance (TPP) below 21,000 and total DRAM bandwidth below 6,500 GB/s. Exporters must certify sufficient U.S. supply, non-diversion of foundry capacity, recipient security procedures, and undergo independent third-party testing in the United States to verify performance specifications. Presumption of denial remains for exports to entities headquartered or with parent companies in Macau or Country Group D:5.
Budget/programme of work for the 2026–2027 biennium published (Convention governance output)
The Minamata Convention Secretariat published the budget/programme of work for the 2026–2027 biennium, including planned activities supporting implementation (e.g., COP-7 resourcing, Implementation and Compliance Committee work, capacity-building/technical assistance, effectiveness evaluation activities, and national reporting support). While not a new binding requirement for regulated entities, this official programme-of-work publication can influence timing/availability of future guidance, reporting support, and implementation/enforcement capacity across Parties.
BIS final rule revises license review policy for certain advanced computing commodities to China and Macau
BIS amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the license review policy for exports of certain advanced computing commodities to China and Macau. The change shifts review from a “presumption of denial” to “case-by-case” for specified items when stated conditions are met (e.g., exporter certifications and supporting data/assurances referenced in the rule). Compliance teams should reassess licensing strategy, internal documentation/certification workflows, and transaction screening for applicable ECCNs/transactions involving China and Macau under the updated review policy.
Kentucky HB 196 proposes PFAS manufacturer reporting requirements
Kentucky House Bill 196 would establish a 21-member PFAS Working Group attached to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and create mandatory reporting requirements for manufacturers that intentionally add PFAS in products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Kentucky. The bill would require annual reporting including product description with UPC/SKU codes, purpose of PFAS use, amount of PFAS by CAS number, and manufacturer contact information. The bill also establishes penalties for noncompliance with reporting requirements. HB 196 has been referred to the Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
Illinois EPA notifies Dupo water systems of PFAS detections above state standards
Illinois EPA notified the Village of Dupo and connected water systems that PFAS compounds were detected in water sampling at levels exceeding the state's newly established groundwater quality standards. This action triggers mandatory Right-to-Know notification requirements under Illinois law, requiring water systems to notify customers within 5 business days. This demonstrates ongoing enforcement of Illinois' state-level PFAS standards independent of federal regulatory actions.
ESMA publishes Sustainable Finance implementation timeline document referencing CSRD timing
ESMA published/updated a ‘Sustainable Finance’ implementation timeline document (last updated 13 January 2026) that includes CSRD-related timing references. This document functions as operational guidance/coordination material for stakeholders tracking CSRD milestones and should be used as a reference aid (while the underlying legal acts remain controlling).
New Jersey Enacts PFAS Restrictions in Firefighting Turnout Gear
New Jersey enacted legislation (S3946/A5195) establishing PFAS restrictions for firefighting turnout gear. Upon passage, producers must provide written notice to purchasers alerting them of PFAS in their equipment. Two years after the effective date, all turnout gear classified as clothing must be certified "Forever Chemical Free" through testing by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Non-clothing apparatuses including masks and communication technology will be subject to the ban beginning January 1, 2032.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/76 updates authorised ODS process-agent uses and repeals Decision 2010/372/EU
The European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/76 (12 Jan 2026; published 14 Jan 2026) under Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/590. The decision updates the list of undertakings/installations authorised to use ozone-depleting substances (ODS) as process agents, and sets/updates the annual maximum “make-up” quantities and annual maximum emission thresholds per undertaking (in Annex I, which is treated as commercially sensitive and not reproduced in the published PDF text). It also requires undertakings to notify the Commission and the relevant Member State competent authority within 3 months if an installation is decommissioned, and it repeals Commission Decision 2010/372/EU. Compliance teams using ODS as process agents should verify whether their installation remains listed/authorised, align internal controls with any updated maxima/thresholds, and ensure decommissioning-notification procedures meet the 3-month requirement.
EU Drinking Water Directive (recast) PFAS parameters: Member State compliance measures due by 12 Jan 2026
ECHA’s legislation profile for the recast EU Drinking Water Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/2184) highlights a transitional milestone for PFAS parameters (including “PFAS Total” and “Sum of PFAS”): by 12 January 2026, EU Member States must take the measures necessary to ensure compliance. This drives downstream monitoring and compliance readiness obligations for drinking water suppliers and competent authorities implementing the directive at national level.
New Jersey Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act Prohibits PFAS in Products
The Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act (P.L.2025, c.202), approved January 12, 2026, prohibits intentionally added PFAS in certain products effective January 2028. The Act also requires cookware containing PFAS to carry labeling disclosures. Unlike other state PFAS laws, it does not include registration or reporting requirements and does not establish a framework to exempt currently unavoidable uses of PFAS.