All regulatory updates
894 results found
Maine DEP Issues Guidance on PFAS Notification and CUU Proposal Process
Maine DEP published guidance for manufacturers on submitting PFAS Notification Forms through the Maine Enterprise Licensing System (MELS) and instructions for preparing Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) proposals. Key guidance points include: manufacturers with 100 or fewer employees are exempt from notification requirements; PPE is NOT considered a textile article for purposes of the January 2026 prohibition; and CUU proposals received before May 1, 2026 may be included in late spring 2026 rulemaking.
European Commission publishes Omnibus package communication outlining proposed CSRD simplifications
The European Commission published an ‘Omnibus package’ update describing a simplification initiative that includes proposed changes impacting CSRD (e.g., potential scope recalibration and ESRS simplification). This is an official policy/proposal communication (not the final legal text). Compliance teams should treat this as proposal-stage and monitor the legislative process and subsequent Official Journal publication for any adopted amendments.
USGBC publishes LEED v5 additional guidance for Materials & Resources credit: Building Product Selection & Procurement (criteria areas and achievement levels)
USGBC published an official LEED v5 additional guidance document for the Materials & Resources credit ‘Building Product Selection & Procurement’, describing the criteria areas/achievement levels and how products are evaluated and scored (including multi-attribute considerations and scoring rules). Product compliance/documentation teams supporting LEED v5 projects should align product selection evidence and submittal strategies with this guidance and monitor updates via the LEED v5 addenda process.
Microplastics annual reporting requirement begins May 2027
Under Entry 78 of Annex XVII REACH (microplastics restriction), suppliers who supply synthetic polymer microparticles to professional users or the general public must comply with annual reporting obligations starting 31 May 2027. The first report covers uses and emissions from January to December 2026, with yearly reporting thereafter.
OEHHA adds vinyl acetate to the Proposition 65 list as a chemical known to cause cancer (warnings enforceable starting Jan 3, 2026)
OEHHA listed vinyl acetate under Proposition 65 as a chemical known to cause cancer (listing effective January 3, 2025). The Prop 65 warning requirement for significant exposures becomes enforceable starting January 3, 2026 (one-year grace period typical for new listings). Compliance teams should assess products/operations that may expose California consumers/workers to vinyl acetate and implement compliant Prop 65 warnings and related substantiation/documentation before the enforceability date.
EU updates battery waste codes; black mass and Li-ion batteries classified as hazardous
Commission updates European List of Waste with new battery-related waste codes. Black mass, lithium-based waste batteries, nickel-based waste batteries, and zinc-based waste batteries are now classified as hazardous waste. New codes introduced for waste from battery manufacturing, post-consumer batteries, and intermediate fractions from battery recycling. Classification supports better control of black mass shipments and implements export restrictions to non-OECD countries from December 2026.
European Commission updates EU List of Waste with new battery-related waste codes (including hazardous classification for “black mass”)
The European Commission announced an update to the EU List of Waste introducing new battery-related waste codes spanning manufacturing waste, post-consumer battery waste, and intermediate recycling fractions. The update clarifies/classifies “black mass” as hazardous waste and classifies several battery chemistries (including lithium-, nickel-, zinc-based; sodium sulphur; alkaline waste batteries) as hazardous, including adding a new hazardous code for lithium-based batteries in separately collected municipal waste. This affects waste classification, handling, storage, and cross-border shipment compliance (e.g., documentation and shipment controls) for battery producers, collectors, recyclers, and logistics providers supporting EU Battery Regulation circularity requirements.
FHWA delays effective date of final rule on Buy America requirements for manufactured products
FHWA published a final rule delaying the effective date of its manufactured products Buy America final rule. This action changes the date the amended requirements formally take effect (effective-date delay), which can affect contracting timing, compliance planning, and the applicability of updated regulatory text for recipients and contractors working on FHWA-funded highway projects.
CARB pauses Mobile Source Strategy development
CARB announced it is pausing development of the Mobile Source Strategy and reconsidering the approach. The strategy, required by SB 44 (2019) to be updated every 5 years following the 2016 Strategy, guides mobile source emissions reduction planning. The pause reflects ongoing evaluation of opportunities amid evolving vehicle markets and policy priorities.
Hawaii DOH Updates PFAS Environmental Action Levels Guidance
Hawaii Department of Health updated its interim Environmental Action Levels (EALs) for PFAS, adding HFPO-DA (GenX) to the 'Primary Terminal PFASs' category due to its recalcitrance to breakdown in the environment and TOPs processing. The guidance establishes action levels for over 24 PFAS compounds including PFOA (4 ppt), PFOS (4 ppt), PFHxS (10 ppt), PFNA (10 ppt), HFPO-DA (10 ppt), and others with levels up to 18,000 ppt. Hawaii's EAL guidance is considered one of the most comprehensive PFAS screening frameworks in the United States, incorporating Total Oxidizable Precursors (TOPs) testing, Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) methods, and a Hawaii-specific calculator for cumulative risk assessment from complex PFAS mixtures.
CARB Enforcement Division updates maximum penalty amounts based on 2024 California CPI (effective for violations occurring on/after Feb 21, 2025)
CARB issued an Enforcement Division memo increasing maximum penalty amounts based on the 2024 California Consumer Price Index (CPI). The memo states the updated maximum penalties are effective immediately for settling violations occurring on and after February 21, 2025, and provides updated penalty tables. Compliance and legal teams should use the updated maximum penalty amounts when assessing enforcement exposure and settlement posture for applicable CARB violations.
Oregon DEQ approves Circular Action Alliance (CAA) program plan as Oregon’s Producer Responsibility Organization; implementation begins July 1, 2025
Oregon DEQ announced approval of Circular Action Alliance’s (CAA) Producer Responsibility Organization program plan under Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act/packaging EPR framework. The approved plan governs operational details producers must follow (e.g., how the PRO will implement collection/recycling modernization requirements), with implementation described as beginning July 1, 2025. For compliance teams, this is an official milestone confirming the approved PRO and the operative plan document that underpins producer participation, fees, and reporting/operational expectations during the plan period.
Council/Commission proposal sets EU position supporting listing of chlorpyrifos, MCCPs and LC‑PFCAs in Stockholm Convention Annex A
The Council of the European Union published an official proposal package for a Council Decision establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the EU at Stockholm Convention COP‑12, including support for listing chlorpyrifos, MCCPs (C14–C17, ≥45% Cl by weight) and long‑chain PFCAs in Annex A (elimination). The document discusses potential needs for specific exemptions (e.g., certain defence/aerospace uses for MCCPs). While not itself a binding market restriction, it is an official policy step indicating the EU’s stance in the treaty process and foreshadowing subsequent EU POPs Regulation alignment measures relevant to compliance planning.
EPA releases updated Quick Reference Guides for PFAS NPDWR implementation
EPA published updated Quick Reference Guides for PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) implementation in February 2025. The guides cover Control of PFAS Overview, Initial Monitoring, Hazard Index, Significant Figures and Rounding Requirements, and Compliance Monitoring. Updates include the addition of EPA method 537.1, version 1.0 as an approved analytical method for the initial monitoring period. These guides assist Nevada water systems in understanding and complying with the April 2024 PFAS NPDWR requirements.
EPA February 2025 update: nine PFAS automatically added to TRI (effective Jan 3, 2025) and related supplier-notification clarification proposed
EPA’s EPCRA/TRI communications describe (1) an automatic addition of nine PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) as of January 3, 2025 under the FY2020 NDAA mechanism, expanding the set of PFAS subject to TRI reporting, and (2) an associated EPA proposal (referenced in the update) intended to clarify when supplier notifications must begin for PFAS automatically added to TRI. Compliance teams at TRI-covered facilities and upstream suppliers should reassess TRI applicability for newly added PFAS, update chemical inventories, and plan for applicable reporting/supplier-notification timing (including Reporting Year 2025 forms due July 1, 2026 as referenced).
EPA announces automatic addition of nine PFAS to the TRI list effective Jan 3, 2025 (Reporting Year 2025)
EPA (via EPCRA SERC/TERC Update) announced the automatic addition of nine PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list effective January 3, 2025. This expands the PFAS subject to TRI reporting and impacts covered facilities’ chemical tracking and TRI Form R/Form A reporting for Reporting Year 2025 (with forms due July 1, 2026, as stated in the update). Compliance teams at TRI-covered facilities should update chemical inventories, supplier declarations, and reporting systems to ensure these PFAS are captured for applicable release and waste management reporting.
EU aviation milestone: in-service EU aircraft must use halon-free portable fire extinguishers by 31 Dec 2025 (EASA communication/guidance)
EASA published/communicated guidance and an end-of-year milestone reminder tied to Regulation (EU) 2024/590 (Ozone Regulation) that drives a halogen-free outcome: portable fire extinguishers used for aircraft cabins/crew compartments on in-service aircraft registered in the EU or operated by an EU operator must be halon-free by 31 December 2025. This is directly relevant to Halogen Free compliance programs for aviation safety equipment supply chains (specification changes, retrofit planning, and conformity documentation).
USGBC issues LEED addenda update (February 2025) including updated/new LEED Interpretations, pilot credit updates/closures, and updated calculators/workbooks
USGBC’s February 2025 LEED addenda update communicates changes that affect project compliance paths and documentation, including updated/new LEED Interpretations (LIs), pilot credit lifecycle updates (including closures), and updates to calculators/workbooks used for submissions. Compliance teams should verify whether targeted credits, LIs, pilots, and tools referenced in project documentation remain current and adjust internal checklists and templates to align with the addenda cycle.
Rhode Island PFAS Drinking Water Regulations Fact Sheet
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Center for Drinking Water Quality published a fact sheet providing general information about recently promulgated state drinking water regulations concerning PFAS. The document also highlights available funding through the EPA Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program to address PFAS in drinking water. This guidance helps public water systems understand their compliance obligations under the new PFAS standards.
EPA SERC/TERC update confirms automatic addition of nine PFAS to TRI effective Jan 3, 2025; notes proposed supplier-notification clarification
EPA reported that nine PFAS were automatically added to the EPCRA §313 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) effective January 3, 2025, increasing the total number of PFAS subject to TRI reporting. EPA also referenced a proposed rule to clarify supplier notification timing related to these automatic PFAS additions. Compliance teams subject to TRI should ensure TRI applicability screening and supplier notification workflows reflect the expanded PFAS list for the relevant reporting year and monitor the proposed supplier-notification clarification.