All regulatory updates
1479 results found
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.
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.
New Jersey Enacts PFAS Product Restrictions Under Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act
New Jersey enacted the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act (P.L.2025, c.202), which prohibits intentionally added PFAS in carpets, cosmetics, fabric treatments, and food packaging composed of paper, paperboard, or plant fiber-derived materials, effective January 12, 2028. Cookware with PFAS in handles or food-contact surfaces requires bilingual (English/Spanish) labeling stating 'This product contains PFAS.' The law defines 'intentionally added PFAS' to include PFAS deliberately added for specific characteristics and their degradation byproducts, while excluding technically unavoidable trace quantities from impurities or manufacturing processes. Enforcement is through the Division of Consumer Affairs with civil penalties of $1,000-$20,000 per violation.
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.
EU Drinking Water Directive (recast) PFAS parameters: Member State compliance measures due by 12 Jan 2026 (PFAS Total / Sum of PFAS transition)
ECHA’s legislation profile for the recast EU Drinking Water Directive indicates a transitional deadline under which Member States must have measures in place by 12 January 2026 to ensure compliance for parameters including “PFAS Total” and “Sum of PFAS,” and suppliers will be required to monitor those parameters. Compliance teams supporting EU water suppliers, laboratories, and regulated entities should ensure monitoring programs, analytical capability, and documentation are aligned to the PFAS parameter requirements by this date.
EPA publishes Federal Register notice: "Certain New Chemicals or Significant New Uses; Statements of Findings—October 2025"
EPA published a Federal Register notice compiling TSCA Section 5 New Chemicals Program "statements of findings" for October 2025, covering determinations for certain new chemicals or significant new uses. While not a new rulemaking, this notice is operationally relevant for compliance teams tracking EPA’s Section 5 outcomes, potential consent order patterns, and significant new use considerations tied to TSCA notifications (PMNs/SNUNs).
EPA updates Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework page outlining ongoing framework development and stakeholder engagement
EPA updated its official page on the national Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework (developed with the U.S. Department of Energy pursuant to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act direction). The update summarizes framework-development scope (goals, cost structures, reporting, collection models, transportation, design considerations) and lists stakeholder engagement activities such as an upcoming virtual roundtable. While not a binding regulation, this is an official federal guidance/framework-development signal that may influence future federal or state battery EPR program design and harmonization expectations.
EU withdraws proposal to restrict TBBP-A and MCCPs under RoHS
The European Commission has decided not to proceed with proposals to add Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) to the RoHS Directive Annex II restricted substances list. This decision represents a reversal of earlier plans to expand RoHS substance restrictions. Manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment will not face new compliance obligations for these substances under RoHS. The decision affects compliance planning for flame retardant and plasticizer applications in EEE.
EPA updates Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework page describing framework development and stakeholder engagement
EPA updated its Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework webpage (page shows a last updated date of January 8, 2026), describing EPA’s ongoing development of a national battery EPR framework and related stakeholder engagement activities. While not a binding rule, the update is relevant for battery producers and stewardship organizations as it signals federal policy direction that may influence harmonization expectations across state battery EPR/stewardship programs.
JRC publishes methodology for defining Digital Product Passport data requirements under the ESPR framework
The JRC published an official methodology document on defining DPP data requirements under the ESPR framework. This is non-binding technical guidance but is directly relevant for companies designing DPP data models and IT architecture, as it addresses approaches for specifying information requirements and associated implementation concepts referenced in ESPR/DPP planning. (The research text includes timing language within the PDF, but no new binding obligations are established by this document itself.)
Kentucky HB 196 Proposes PFAS Product Reporting Requirements and Working Group
House Bill 196, introduced in the 2026 Regular Session, would establish a 21-member PFAS Working Group under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and require manufacturers to annually report products containing intentionally added PFAS sold or distributed in Kentucky. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers would need to disclose product descriptions with UPC/SKU codes, purpose of PFAS use, and amounts by CAS number. The bill would also require immediate reporting of PFAS releases exceeding 10 pounds in 24 hours, establish wastewater treatment facility monitoring requirements, and impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for noncompliance. The bill died in the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee when the legislative session ended April 15, 2026.
NYSDEC announces virtual public meeting series on PFAS response initiatives
NYSDEC is hosting a virtual meeting series about ongoing actions to protect New York communities from PFAS. The webinars focus on the PFAS Rural Background Study, treatment of landfill leachate, wastewater treatment guidance, sampling of PFAS in biosolids, and drinking water policy. This initiative supports Governor Hochul's State of the State priorities for environmental protection and community education on PFAS risks.
Kentucky HB 196: PFAS Working Group and Manufacturer Reporting Requirements
Under HB 196, Kentucky is establishing a PFAS Working Group to study health impacts and develop mitigation strategies. The law requires manufacturers of products containing intentionally added PFAS to submit chemical and usage information to the state to ensure public transparency and environmental safety. An initial PFAS report is due by January 1, 2027, with subsequent reporting required annually each January 1; the PFAS Working Group is required to convene its first meeting by September 1, 2026, submit its first annual mitigation report by December 1, 2026, and reporting obligations apply to manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the Commonwealth that contain intentionally added PFAS.
EPA publishes process update and Federal Register notice on expiring TSCA CBI claims beginning June 2026 (extensions via CDX required)
EPA announced (and published a Federal Register notice describing) the process it will use to notify submitters of upcoming TSCA confidential business information (CBI) claim expirations (generally 10 years after submission, under the 2016 TSCA amendments). EPA states the first expirations will begin in June 2026 and that it will post public lists of TSCA submissions with expiring claims (starting in spring 2026) and send direct notices via EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). To maintain confidentiality, companies must submit an extension request through CDX with required substantiation no later than 30 days before the claim’s expiration date. Compliance teams should inventory TSCA submissions with CBI claims, ensure CDX access/roles are in place, and prepare substantiation workflows ahead of the spring 2026 public list postings.
EPA Federal Register notice details process for TSCA CBI claims expiring starting June 2026 (CDX notices, public lists, and extension requests)
EPA published a Federal Register notice and supporting EPA webpage describing the process for upcoming expirations of TSCA Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims beginning in June 2026. EPA indicates it will (1) post the first public list of TSCA submissions with CBI claims expiring starting in June 2026 (planned for early spring 2026) and (2) send direct notifications to affected submitters via CDX. To maintain protection, submitters must file an extension request via CDX with required substantiation no later than 30 days prior to the claim’s expiration date. EPA also states it is developing a new CDX tool to collect extension requests and expects it to be available before June 2026; if delayed, EPA will post an update on the TSCA CBI website. Compliance teams should inventory affected TSCA submissions, monitor EPA’s posted lists/notifications, and prepare substantiation packages to meet the 30‑day pre-expiration submission timing.
EPA issues Federal Register notice and EPA webpage update detailing process for expiring TSCA CBI claims beginning June 2026 (CDX extension requests required)
EPA published an official process/timeline update for confidential business information (CBI) claims under TSCA that will begin expiring starting June 2026 (generally 10 years after submission). EPA explains it will post (in early spring) a first public list of submissions with expiring CBI claims, and will send direct notices via EPA’s CDX system. Companies seeking to maintain confidentiality must submit extension requests electronically via CDX no later than 30 days before the specific claim expiration date, including substantiation. This is operationally significant for TSCA compliance teams managing CBI portfolios and ensuring timely substantiation/extension workflows.
EPA publishes new default values/assumptions used in TSCA new chemical risk assessments (New Chemicals Division reference library)
EPA released technical resources describing common/default values used in TSCA new chemical risk assessments (e.g., occupational exposure and environmental release assumptions). While not a binding rule, the defaults are operationally important for PMN/SNUN submitters because they can affect EPA’s exposure estimates and risk determinations and therefore the quality and predictability of submissions and any resulting risk management measures.
EPA provides update and Federal Register notice on expiration/extension process for TSCA Confidential Business Information (CBI) claims expiring starting June 2026
EPA published an update and accompanying Federal Register notice describing how it will implement expiration and extension procedures for TSCA CBI claims. EPA stated it will post lists of submissions with expiring CBI claims (first list in early spring 2026) and notify submitters via CDX; companies seeking to extend CBI protection must submit extension requests through CDX no later than 30 days before the claim expiration date with required substantiation. If no timely extension request is received, EPA may no longer be required to safeguard the information. Compliance teams should inventory TSCA submissions with CBI claims approaching the 10-year expiration window and prepare substantiations and CDX processes to file extension requests on time.
EPA publishes updated TSCA Inventory (latest non-confidential Inventory update available)
EPA posted an updated biannual public (non-confidential) TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory update. While not a rule change, the Inventory refresh affects substance status screening (existing vs. new chemicals), and may change operational compliance signals via updated commercial activity data (active/inactive), unique identifier data, and regulatory flags (e.g., SNUR/test order indicators). Compliance teams should refresh internal substance lists, re-run regulatory flag screening, and note any identities moved from confidential to public portions of the Inventory as part of EPA’s ongoing CBI reviews.