All regulatory updates
1479 results found
ECHA December 2025 RAC/SEAC meeting highlights: PFAS restriction evaluation progressing; RAC opinion expected March 2026; SEAC draft opinion to follow
ECHA reported progress by the REACH committees (RAC and SEAC) on the proposed EU-wide PFAS restriction, indicating that RAC was expected to adopt its opinion in March 2026 and that SEAC would move toward agreeing a draft opinion for subsequent consultation. For compliance teams, this is a procedural milestone indicating when the proposal may advance to the next stage (consultation and eventual Commission decision), supporting planning for potential future PFAS restrictions across multiple sectors.
EU adopts Battery Booster Strategy with €1.5B facility for battery cell producers
Commission Communication C(2025) 8950 establishes the Battery Booster Strategy to support the European battery industry. Includes €1.5 billion Battery Booster Facility from the Innovation Fund providing interest-free loans to battery cell producers during ramp-up phase. Reinforces that waste lithium-ion batteries and black mass will be classified as hazardous waste from December 2026, with exports to non-OECD countries prohibited thereafter.
Commission Publishes Life-Cycle GWP Calculation Framework for Construction Materials
The European Commission published a calculation framework for determining life-cycle global warming potential (GWP) of construction materials. This framework supports implementation of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which requires life-cycle GWP to be calculated and disclosed in energy performance certificates for new buildings over 1,000 m² from January 2028, extending to all new buildings from January 2030. The methodology harmonizes life-cycle assessment approaches across the EU, building on ISO 14040/14044 principles to ensure consistent measurement of embodied carbon in construction products.
European Commission publishes First CPR Working Plan 2026–2029 (COM(2025) 772) outlining rollout of harmonised specifications that will operationalise environmental sustainability declarations (EPD/EN 15804-based)
The European Commission published the First CPR Working Plan for 2026–2029 (COM(2025) 772 final). The Working Plan is an implementation roadmap under the revised Construction Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110) describing how harmonised technical specifications will be developed/updated and made mandatory via implementing acts. For EPD/ISO 14025/EN 15804 stakeholders, this is a key compliance-planning signal because it frames how ‘environmental sustainability characteristics’ will be integrated into construction-product documentation and declarations through the CPR acquis process and related standardisation work, which is expected to rely on EN 15804-based methods for environmental performance declaration. Compliance teams should use this to anticipate timing and prioritisation of product-family standard updates that will drive when EPD-derived data becomes required within CPR declarations for specific construction product categories.
UN Depositary Notification communicates amendments to Annex A listing chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and LC‑PFCAs
A UN Depositary Notification (C.N.672.2025.TREATIES-XXVII.15) communicates the COP-12-adopted amendments to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention to list chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and LC‑PFCAs (their salts and related compounds). For compliance teams, this notification is a key procedural milestone for the amendments’ treaty lifecycle (including objection/non-acceptance procedures and entry-into-force mechanics) and should be monitored because national/regional implementing measures may reference the notification date and resulting timelines.
ECHA Member State Committee meeting highlights: n-hexane agreed as SVHC (precursor to Candidate List inclusion)
ECHA published highlights from its Member State Committee (MSC) December meeting noting agreement to identify n-hexane as a substance of very high concern (SVHC). This is a formal step in the SVHC identification process under REACH and signals likely downstream Candidate List inclusion, which is relevant for companies to anticipate future Article 33 communication and related supply-chain compliance impacts once formally listed.
Washington updates PFAS drinking water regulations effective January 15, 2026
The Washington State Board of Health adopted changes to WAC 246-290-315 and WAC 246-290-71006 on December 15, 2025. The updated rules maintain current protections related to PFAS in drinking water until new federal regulations are effective, and align State Action Levels (SALs) with federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The rules are effective January 15, 2026, and establish monitoring requirements transitioning from confirmed detection to running annual average (RAA) methodology.
UK enacts Control of Mercury Amendment Regulations 2025 implementing Minamata COP-4 and COP-5
The UK has enacted the Control of Mercury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1255), implementing decisions from COP-4 and COP-5 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The regulations phase out various mercury-added products including compact fluorescent lamps, linear fluorescent lamps, cold cathode fluorescent lamps, strain gauges, mercury vacuum pumps, and tyre balancers with staggered deadlines through December 31, 2027. The regulations apply to England, Wales, and Scotland, with Northern Ireland following EU Mercury Regulation under the Windsor Framework.
EPA Finalizes 1,3-Butadiene Risk Evaluation under TSCA
EPA completed the final risk evaluation for 1,3-Butadiene (CAS 106-99-0) under TSCA in December 2025. The risk evaluation determines whether the chemical presents unreasonable risk to health or the environment under its conditions of use, which will inform potential risk management actions under TSCA Section 6.
ECHA Member State Committee agrees to identify n-hexane as an SVHC (precursor to Candidate List inclusion)
ECHA reported that its Member State Committee agreed to identify n-hexane as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). This committee agreement is a formal REACH SVHC process milestone that precedes Candidate List inclusion and signals that downstream obligations (e.g., article communication/notification once listed) are expected to follow when ECHA updates the Candidate List accordingly.
NYSDEC proposes biosolids soil products PFAS sampling and reporting expansion
NYSDEC proposed expanding DMM-7 guidance to extend current sampling and reporting requirements to soil products produced from biosolids, such as compost and heat-dried products. Facilities that accept biosolids would be required to sample biosolid sources for PFAS and report results. The expanded data collection will inform development of biosolid analytical and operating limits. Public comments were due January 9, 2026.
ECHA Decision D(2025)7771-DC (11-Dec-2025) publishes Candidate List inclusion effective 04-Feb-2026 for n-hexane and BPAF (and salts)
ECHA issued Decision D(2025)7771-DC dated 11-Dec-2025 to include substances of very high concern in the REACH Candidate List, with publication/update and decision effect stated as 04-Feb-2026. The decision supports the Candidate List update adding n-hexane (Article 57(f)) and 4,4'-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts (Article 57(c)). Compliance teams should treat the Candidate List inclusion date as the point at which article/SDS and supply-chain communication controls must reflect the updated SVHC status.
NYSDEC Issues Final Wastewater Treatment Plant PFAS Guidance and Draft Policies
NYSDEC released a suite of PFAS response actions including finalized wastewater treatment plant guidance designed to protect drinking water and surface waters, and proposed new policies directing facilities that handle biosolids to sample for PFAS and report results. The draft policies would extend current sampling and reporting requirements to soil products produced from biosolids, such as compost and heat-dried products. The expanded data collection will inform development of biosolid analytical and operating limits.
NYSDEC issues final wastewater treatment plant guidance for PFAS protection
NYSDEC issued final wastewater treatment plant guidance to protect drinking water and other surface waters from PFAS contamination. The guidance is part of a comprehensive suite of PFAS response actions intended to protect communities. This complements the TOGS 1.3.14 permitting strategy for Publicly Owned Treatment Works implementing guidance values for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane.
European Commission publishes proposal COM(2025) 982 to suspend authorised representative requirement for batteries EPR (Article 56(3)) until January 2035
The European Commission published a legislative proposal (COM(2025) 982) to suspend the application of Article 56(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (authorised representative requirement linked to extended producer responsibility for batteries) until January 2035. If adopted, the change would reduce administrative burden for certain cross-border sales scenarios by altering when/where an authorised representative must be appointed for EPR purposes. This is a proposal (not yet adopted), and should be tracked for potential downstream impacts on EPR registration strategy and representation arrangements across Member States.
Commission proposes cross-border EPR participation rules for batteries
The European Commission published proposal COM(2025) 982 to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries regarding cross-border participation in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. The proposal aims to simplify obligations for producers selling products in other Member States by clarifying participation requirements in EPR schemes established in those Member States. This reduces administrative burden while ensuring producer responsibility obligations are properly fulfilled. The proposal also amends Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste with similar cross-border EPR provisions.
European Commission publishes COM(2025) 981 proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to simplify/clarify requirements (administrative burden reduction package)
The European Commission published COM(2025) 981 final (proposal) to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (and also references amendments involving Regulation (EU) 2024/1244) aiming to simplify and clarify certain requirements and reduce administrative burden. The research notes examples including clarifications to the producer definition for cross-border selling, refinements to SVHC labelling scope, adjustments related to LMT battery removability/replaceability approach, and removal of certain redundant Commission reporting. Compliance teams should monitor this proposal because it may change how obligations are interpreted or applied if adopted.
Commission publishes ‘environmental omnibus’ proposal (COM(2025) 981) to amend Battery Regulation (producer definition, labelling/substances of concern scope, and LMT battery removability/replaceability)
The European Commission issued COM(2025) 981, a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The research summary indicates the proposal would clarify the definition of “producer” (including non-established sellers regardless of sales technique), adjust the approach for removability/replaceability for LMT battery packs (module vs. cell-level), and clarify/simplify aspects of hazardous substance / substances-of-concern labelling (including reference to SVHCs). If adopted, these changes could affect producer responsibility determinations, product design/serviceability expectations for certain battery types, and compliance documentation/label content requirements.
Commission proposes omnibus amendments to Battery Regulation (COM(2025) 981)
The European Commission adopted proposal COM(2025) 981 on 10 December 2025 to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 as part of an omnibus legislative package addressing circular economy legislation. The proposal seeks to modify certain requirements under the Battery Regulation following the Commission's stress-testing exercise and stakeholder engagement, as part of the simplification and competitiveness agenda. The omnibus package addresses legislation related to the circular economy, industrial installations, geospatial data management, and environmental permitting.
European Commission publishes proposal COM(2025) 981 to amend Battery Regulation (producer definition, hazardous substance labelling scope, LMT removability/replaceability, reporting simplification)
The European Commission published a legislative proposal (COM(2025) 981) to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The proposal would (among other changes) clarify the producer definition to cover sellers established outside a Member State irrespective of selling technique, add precision to hazardous-substance labelling scope by referencing SVHC concepts under REACH/CLP, adjust removability/replaceability expectations for LMT battery packs to module level (rather than cell level) for safety/repairability balance, and streamline certain Commission reporting obligations related to Member State waste-battery data quality. This is not yet adopted; compliance teams should track the legislative process because the amendments could change producer/EPR scoping, labelling interpretation, and design-for-removal obligations for LMT batteries.