All regulatory updates
894 results found
FHWA final rule rescinds Manufactured Products General Waiver and phases in manufactured-products domestic content requirements (final assembly 2025; 55% components 2026)
FHWA published a final rule amending its Buy America regulation for Federal-aid highway projects (23 CFR 635.410) to terminate the longstanding general waiver for manufactured products and establish standards for when manufactured products are considered produced in the United States. The rule provides a phased approach tied to project obligation dates (including a U.S. final assembly requirement starting for projects obligated on/after October 1, 2025, and a 55% domestic component cost requirement for projects obligated on/after October 1, 2026). This change is directly relevant to BABA-aligned domestic preference compliance for highway construction supply chains and contract specifications.
FHWA final rule rescinds Manufactured Products General Waiver and phases in manufactured-products domestic content requirements
FHWA issued a final rule updating its Buy America requirements for Federal-aid highway projects by terminating the long-standing Manufactured Products General Waiver and establishing phased-in compliance criteria for manufactured products. Per the rule/agency announcement, projects with FHWA funds obligated on/after 2025-10-01 require U.S. final assembly/manufacturing for manufactured products, and projects obligated on/after 2026-10-01 additionally require that more than 55% of the cost of components be domestically produced. Compliance teams supporting highway infrastructure supply chains should update sourcing/BoM cost roll-ups and supplier certifications to meet the phased obligation-date thresholds.
HUD CPD issues Notice CPD-2025-01 implementing guidance for BABA Buy America Preference (BAP) and supersedes CPD-2023-12
HUD CPD issued Notice CPD-2025-01 providing updated implementation guidance for BABA’s Buy America Preference (BAP) requirements for CPD programs and superseding CPD-2023-12. The notice includes key applicability clarifications for housing/infrastructure determinations (e.g., treatment of 1–4 unit versus 5+ unit housing in relation to BAP applicability), as well as guidance on project scope, recordkeeping, and waiver processes. CPD grantees and contractors should review and align project scoping decisions, procurement documentation, and waiver requests to the updated CPD guidance.
HUD CPD issues Notice CPD-2025-01 implementation guidance for BABA Buy America Preference (supersedes CPD-2023-12)
HUD CPD published Notice CPD-2025-01 providing updated implementation guidance for BABA’s Buy America Preference for CPD-funded programs and superseding prior CPD guidance. The notice addresses applicability determinations and administrative expectations (e.g., how certain housing/infrastructure activities should be classified for BAP applicability, and related documentation/recordkeeping and waiver processes). Recipients and contractors using CPD funds should apply the updated CPD framework when scoping projects and documenting domestic preference compliance or waiver use.
DOE Issues Nonavailability Waiver for Domestically Assembled Solar PV
DOE issued Waiver Number 2025-07, a nonavailability waiver for domestically assembled Solar Photovoltaics (PV) panels (Solar Modules) under BABA manufactured product provisions. The waiver applies to recipients of DOE federal financial assistance under the Industrial Emissions Demonstrations and Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Programs. Waiver issued January 10, 2025 and expires December 31, 2025.
WTO TBT notification opened comment period on draft EU delegated directive renewing RoHS Annex III lead alloy exemptions (steel, aluminium, copper)
A WTO TBT notification indicates the EU notified a draft Commission Delegated Directive proposing renewal/continuation of RoHS Annex III exemptions for lead as an alloying element in steel, aluminium, and copper. The notification includes a formal public comment deadline. Compliance teams relying on these lead-alloy exemptions should monitor the final delegated directive publication and confirm any revised scope/conditions/validity dates once adopted.
EPA final rule implements statutory addition of certain PFAS to TRI beginning with Reporting Year 2025 (Federal Register publication)
EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register implementing the statutory addition of certain PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) starting with Reporting Year 2025. Compliance teams subject to EPCRA Section 313 TRI reporting should validate whether any newly added PFAS are manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above TRI thresholds and ensure TRI systems, supplier declarations, and chemical inventories are updated for the new reporting year scope.
Bisphenol S (BPS) Listed Under Proposition 65 for Reproductive Toxicity
OEHHA has added Bisphenol S (BPS) to the Proposition 65 list for reproductive toxicity (male and female endpoints). Products containing BPS that may cause significant exposures require Proposition 65 warnings when sold in California. BPS is commonly used as a BPA replacement in thermal paper, plastics, and other consumer products.
OEHHA adds vinyl acetate to Proposition 65 list as a carcinogen; warnings required for significant exposures starting Jan 3, 2026
OEHHA has added vinyl acetate to the Proposition 65 list as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. For compliance teams, this triggers the one-year lead time before consumer-product/occupational exposure warnings are required for significant exposures. Businesses selling products into California should evaluate potential exposures to vinyl acetate and update Proposition 65 warning determinations and labeling/online warning content by the stated warning-effective date.
2025 consolidated text of the Stockholm Convention (updated compilation) published
An updated consolidated compilation of the Stockholm Convention text and annexes (2025 version) is available as an official PDF. While this is not itself a new listing decision, it is compliance-relevant as a current reference of the treaty text incorporating adopted amendments up to the compilation date.
COP-12 decision SC-12/12 lists long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/12 amending Annex A to add long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds, with specific exemptions. This treaty listing supports elimination controls (subject to registered exemptions) and can drive implementing measures and downstream restrictions for PFAS-like substances in multiple jurisdictions. Compliance teams should identify LC‑PFCA-related substances in materials and evaluate impacts on manufacturing, import/export, and waste management obligations in implementing markets.
NY PFAS apparel ban in effect; outdoor apparel ban effective 2028
New York's prohibition on apparel containing intentionally added PFAS took effect January 1, 2025. NYSDEC must establish PFAS threshold levels in apparel by regulation by January 1, 2027. A separate ban on outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions containing PFAS takes effect January 1, 2028. The law covers stain resistance, water and oil repellency applications of PFAS in textile products.
BAT/BEP guidance for UV-328 published (January 2025)
The Secretariat published a BAT/BEP guidance document specific to UV-328 (listed under the Stockholm Convention), providing implementation-oriented recommendations to prevent/minimize exposure and releases and addressing waste/stockpile considerations. This is relevant for manufacturers and waste handlers dealing with UV-328 in articles or wastes, particularly where exemptions apply and where destruction/irreversible transformation expectations for POP wastes are discussed.
PFAS Regulation in Massachusetts: TURA Reporting and Phased Elimination
Massachusetts manages PFAS through a dual-track system. Under TURA, industrial facilities exceeding specific thresholds must track and report their use of listed PFAS categories. Concurrently, new state legislation has established a phased approach to eliminating intentionally added PFAS from consumer goods and industrial discharges to protect environmental justice populations and municipal water systems. The employee notification deadline is January 1, 2026; TURA reporting and planning are due by July 1, 2026; intentionally added PFAS in specified product categories were subject to elimination as of January 1, 2026; and sales of firefighter turnout gear containing PFAS are prohibited beginning in 2027.
Minnesota: MPCA confirms first Amara’s Law product prohibitions for intentionally added PFAS effective Jan 1, 2025
Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency compliance page confirms that, starting January 1, 2025, the first product prohibitions under Amara’s Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) apply: products in specified categories may not be sold/distributed in Minnesota if they contain intentionally added PFAS. For compliance teams, this is a binding sales/distribution restriction that requires product-content diligence (PFAS intentional addition) and market access controls for Minnesota.
Maryland enacts SB 901 establishing Packaging EPR program
Maryland enacted Senate Bill 901 establishing a Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program. The law requires certain producers of packaging materials, individually or as part of a producer responsibility organization (PRO), to finance and manage the collection, recycling, and disposal of packaging waste. The program shifts packaging recovery costs from taxpayers to manufacturers.
COP-12 decision SC-12/14 amends UV-328 Annex A listing by adding an additional specific exemption (aviation uses; expiry end of 2030)
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/14 amending the Annex A listing for UV-328 to add an additional specific exemption for certain aviation-related uses, with the decision text indicating expiry by the end of 2030. Compliance teams should assess whether UV-328 is used in aircraft-related products or supply chains and, where relevant, confirm whether any continued use is reliant on this specific exemption and whether the Party/jurisdiction has properly registered the exemption and its conditions/expiry are managed.
COP-12 decision SC-12/10 lists medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/10 amending Annex A to add medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) with specific exemptions. This establishes global treaty-level elimination obligations (subject to registered exemptions) that are typically mirrored into national/regional POPs implementing laws. Compliance teams should review MCCP use in articles and mixtures (e.g., plastics, sealants, industrial applications) and monitor downstream implementing restrictions and any time-limited exemptions in relevant markets.
COP-12 decision SC-12/9 lists chlorpyrifos in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/9 amending Annex A to add chlorpyrifos (CAS 2921-88-2). The decision establishes the Annex A listing entry and specifies that production/use is to be eliminated except where a Party has registered applicable specific exemptions in the Register. Compliance teams should evaluate whether chlorpyrifos is present in products, formulations, or supply chains and determine whether any activities rely on uses that would only be permissible under registered exemptions in implementing jurisdictions.
Stockholm Convention consolidated 'Text and Annexes' revised in 2025 incorporates COP-12 amendments (chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, LC‑PFCAs listed; UV‑328 amended)
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat published an updated consolidated version of the Convention text and annexes ("revised in 2025") reflecting COP-12 amendments. The consolidated text incorporates COP-12 decisions to add chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds to Annex A (elimination) and to amend the Annex A listing for UV‑328 (specific exemption adjustments). For compliance teams, this consolidated treaty text is an authoritative reference for current Annex scope, supporting screening of products/materials and assessing whether any specific exemptions may apply in relevant jurisdictions implementing the Convention.