All regulatory updates
1479 results found
EPA final rule adds sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS‑Na) to TRI as a PFAS chemical of special concern; first reporting due July 1, 2027
EPA finalized a rule adding sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS‑Na) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) PFAS reporting list as a chemical of special concern. Covered facilities must begin tracking PFHxS‑Na releases and other TRI reportable activities starting with the reporting year that begins January 1, 2026. EPA indicates the TRI reporting threshold is 100 lbs, and the first TRI submissions including PFHxS‑Na are due July 1, 2027. Compliance teams should assess whether operations manufacture, process, or otherwise use PFHxS‑Na and update TRI data collection, recordkeeping, and supplier/customer communication workflows accordingly.
Defra opens consultation on potential amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation 2026
Defra opened a public consultation seeking views on proposals and policy options to amend the UK POPs regulatory regime in upcoming legislation ("POPs Regulation 2026" amendments). This is relevant to Stockholm Convention compliance because the UK POPs regime is the domestic implementing framework for Stockholm Convention obligations. Compliance teams with UK market exposure should review proposed changes during the consultation window and prepare for potential updates to substance controls, waste POPs requirements, and compliance documentation expectations once finalized.
IATA Publishes 2026 Battery Guidance Document for Shippers
The 2026 Battery Guidance Document provides updated guidance for transporting lithium metal, lithium-ion, and sodium-ion batteries by air. Revised for the 2026 Regulations, this document assists shippers, freight forwarders, and ground handlers in understanding classification, packing, marking, labeling, and documentation requirements. It includes guidance on battery-powered cargo tracking devices and data loggers, as well as updated FAQs for complying with the 67th Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Minnesota prohibits PFAS in pesticide registration for 11 product categories
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture may not register or renew registration of pesticide products in the 11 PFAS-prohibited categories (carpets/rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, juvenile products, menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax, upholstered furniture) if they contain intentionally added PFAS, unless the commissioner determines the use is a currently unavoidable use. A broader prohibition applies to all pesticide products effective January 1, 2032, requiring CUU determination for any pesticide containing intentionally added PFAS.
California Privacy Protection Agency outlines Delete Act operational requirements via DROP, including Aug 1, 2026 cadence to process deletion requests every 45 days and annual registration due Jan 31
California’s privacy.ca.gov data brokers page describes operational compliance obligations under the Delete Act, including use of the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). It specifies that data brokers must register annually (registration due Jan 31 via DROP) and, starting Aug 1, 2026, must process DROP deletion requests on a 45-day cycle (e.g., download hashed identifier lists, delete matching personal information, and report status). The guidance also notes pass-through of deletion requests to contractors/service providers and maintaining suppression processes. This is directly relevant to vendor privacy governance where organizations operate as data brokers or contract with data brokers and need contractual/technical mechanisms for deletion request pass-through and periodic processing.
Kentucky HB 196 enacted with January 1, 2027 PFAS reporting deadline
Kentucky has enacted HB 196 establishing mandatory PFAS reporting requirements for manufacturers. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers of products containing intentionally added PFAS sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Kentucky must submit annual reports to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Required information includes product description, PFAS purpose, CAS numbers, and quantities. The law establishes a 21-member PFAS Working Group to study health impacts and develop mitigation strategies, with penalties up to $1,000 per day for non-compliance. First report due January 1, 2027.
New Zealand Publishes Updated Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan 2026
New Zealand has published an updated National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The NIP outlines how New Zealand implements its international obligations to eliminate or restrict persistent organic pollutants, including PFAS substances such as PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS. The document includes regulatory measures, monitoring programs including the 2024 NZ Total Diet Study for PFOS and PFHxS, and strategies for managing PFAS contamination in alignment with Stockholm Convention requirements.
New Zealand Publishes Updated Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan
New Zealand has published its updated National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The updated NIP incorporates New Zealand's implementation commitments for recently listed persistent organic pollutants including PFAS-related substances such as long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), PFHxS, and other PFAS compounds added to the Convention at COP-12. The NIP outlines New Zealand's regulatory approach and timelines for implementing these international obligations.
FEMA revises Buy America Preference policy (Revision 1) and ends STORM/RLF general applicability waiver; BABA applies to STORM/RLF awards starting Jan 10, 2026
FEMA issued Revision 1 of its policy on Buy America Preference in FEMA financial assistance programs for infrastructure. The revised policy explains FEMA’s one-year general applicability waiver for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (STORM/RLF) through Jan 9, 2026, and states that effective Jan 10, 2026, STORM/RLF awards are subject to BABA and FEMA’s policy requirements. Recipients and contractors working on STORM/RLF-funded infrastructure should update procurement controls, contract clauses, and documentation systems to ensure BABA compliance for awards and obligations on/after the applicability date.
New York PFAS Carpet Ban Effective December 31, 2026
New York's prohibition on the sale of carpet containing intentionally added PFAS takes effect December 31, 2026. Originally scheduled for 2024, the implementation was postponed by lawmakers in 2023. The prohibition is part of New York's broader carpet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Manufacturers and retailers should prepare for compliance with the PFAS restriction alongside EPR program requirements.
JRC publishes methodology for defining DPP data requirements under ESPR framework
The Joint Research Centre published a methodology document (JRC145830) for defining data requirements for the Digital Product Passport under the ESPR framework. The methodology provides step-by-step guidance for translating policy objectives and use cases into structured data needs, criteria for distinguishing essential, strongly recommended, and voluntary data elements, and guidance on granularity, access rights, lifecycle management, and interoperability. The document includes indicative timelines for product groups: Iron and steel (2026), Textiles and Tyres (2027), Aluminium (2027), Furniture (2028), Mattresses (2029), and ICT (2029).
POPRC-22 meeting scheduled for October 2026 in Rome
The 22nd meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-22) will take place in Rome, Italy, from October 21, 2026. POPRC is the scientific subsidiary body that reviews proposals for listing new POPs and makes recommendations to the Conference of the Parties. The committee will review pending chemical nominations and develop draft risk profiles and risk management evaluations.
UK Seeks Comments on PBDD/PBDFs POP Risk Profile
The UK government is calling for comments on a revised draft risk profile for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and mixed polybrominated/chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs), excluding polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans. This risk profile is being developed as part of the Stockholm Convention Article 8 process for potential listing in Annex E (release reduction provisions). Stakeholders can provide input on the scientific assessment of these substances as POPs.
EPA New Zealand Announces Phased PFAS Ban to Protect Health and Environment
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has introduced a phased ban to protect people and the environment from the risks of PFAS, which are used in cosmetics for skin smoothing and water resistance. The regulation bans the intentional use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in all cosmetic products. The updated standard enters into force on January 1, 2026; the import or manufacture of PFAS-containing cosmetics is prohibited as of December 31, 2026; the sale or supply of such products is prohibited from December 31, 2027; and all remaining PFAS-containing cosmetics must be disposed of by June 30, 2028.
Stockholm Convention publishes 2026 guidance on POPs sampling, screening, and analysis
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat has published new guidance on sampling, screening, and analysis for persistent organic pollutants. This guidance supports Parties in developing national implementation plans and conducting POPs inventories, complementing the 2020 General guidance on POPs inventory.
Connecticut PFAS outdoor apparel and turnout gear disclosure requirements take effect
Effective January 1, 2026, Connecticut requires outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions containing intentionally added PFAS to bear a legible disclosure stating 'Made with PFAS chemicals' on the product and any online listings. Additionally, turnout gear manufacturers and sellers must provide written notice at time of sale indicating the gear contains intentionally added PFAS and the reason PFAS was added. These requirements are established under Public Act No. 24-59.
Hawaii DOH issues January 2026 PFAS EALs guidance update
The Hawaii Department of Health issued an updated interim guidance document for PFAS Environmental Action Levels (EALs) in January 2026. This guidance provides screening criteria for assessing PFAS contamination in soil and water at environmental sites. The document includes specific action levels for over 24 PFAS compounds and is used to quickly identify low-risk sites and determine when additional investigation or remediation is warranted. This supersedes previous versions of the PFAS EALs guidance.
JRC publishes methodology for defining Digital Product Passport data requirements under the ESPR framework (technical guidance)
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre published a technical methodology describing how Digital Product Passport (DPP) data requirements can be defined under the ESPR framework (e.g., translating policy objectives and use cases into structured data requirements, including prioritisation such as essential/recommended/voluntary and considerations like governance and access rights). This is not itself a binding legal change, but it is an official implementation-support reference that compliance teams can use to anticipate how upcoming ESPR delegated acts may structure DPP information requirements and to inform internal data-model, governance, and system-readiness planning.
IATA publishes revised Battery Guidance Document for 2026 Regulations
IATA released an updated Battery Guidance Document for the transport of lithium metal, lithium ion, and sodium ion batteries. The document is aligned with the 2025-2026 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions and the 67th Edition (2026) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, providing practical implementation guidance for battery shipping compliance.
IATA DGR 67th Edition (2026) Takes Effect
The 67th edition of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations takes effect January 1, 2026. This edition incorporates amendments from the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel for the 2025-2026 Technical Instructions and changes adopted by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board. Key battery-related changes include extended state of charge requirements for batteries packed with equipment, revised packing instructions for data loggers and cargo tracking devices, and updated operator variations for spare lithium batteries.