All regulatory updates
1373 results found
Maine Chapter 90 PFAS Rule Amendment Establishes CUU Framework
Maine's amended Chapter 90 rule became effective October 7, 2025, establishing the Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) criteria framework and implementing sales prohibitions for products containing intentionally added PFAS under 38 M.R.S. §1614. The rule details notification requirements, exemptions, and compliance timelines for manufacturers.
Maine Sales Prohibition for HVAC and Refrigeration Equipment Effective January 1, 2040
Maine has established January 1, 2040 as the sales prohibition date for products containing intentionally added PFAS in the following categories: cooling, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, as well as refrigerants, foams, and aerosol propellants. This is the final phase of Maine's comprehensive PFAS in Products law, completing the staged prohibition timeline that began in 2023. Manufacturers in these sectors have significant lead time to reformulate products or seek Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) designations.
Maine requires PFAS Notification Form for CUU-designated products by January 1, 2026
Manufacturers with products covered under approved Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) determinations are required to submit a PFAS Notification Form and pay the associated fee to continue selling, offering for sale, or distributing products in Maine that will be affected by the sales prohibition taking effect January 1, 2026. This reporting requirement creates a mandatory compliance pathway for CUU-designated products that would otherwise be prohibited under Maine's phased PFAS product restrictions. The requirement applies to products in categories including cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, juvenile products, menstruation products, textile articles, ski wax, and upholstered furniture.
Maine establishes statutory exemptions for PFAS sales prohibition
Maine law provides statutory exemptions from PFAS sales prohibitions for: products governed by federal PFAS law, packaging, used products, firefighting foam, FDA-regulated medical devices and drugs, veterinary products, public health testing products, DOT/FAA/NASA/DOD/DHS-required products, motor vehicles and equipment, watercraft, semiconductors and manufacturing equipment, and non-consumer laboratory equipment. These exemptions are codified in Maine's PFAS in Products statute.
EU bans PFAS in firefighting foams under REACH Annex XVII Entry 82
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 adds Entry 82 to Annex XVII, restricting PFAS in firefighting foams. PFAS is defined as any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3) or methylene (CF2) carbon atom. The restriction prohibits PFAS at concentrations ≥1 mg/L. Operational and labeling obligations begin October 23, 2026 - PFAS foams may only be used for Class B fires, with emissions reduction requirements and separate collection of unused stock. Full prohibition takes effect October 23, 2030. PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS covered under the POPs Regulation and certain PFHxA-related substances are exempted from this restriction.
EU restricts PFAS in firefighting foams under REACH Annex XVII
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 of 2 October 2025 restricts per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams under REACH Annex XVII. The regulation sets a concentration limit of 1 mg/L for the sum of all PFAS as recommended by ECHA's RAC and SEAC committees. This restriction implements the Council's 2019 call to eliminate all non-essential uses of PFAS and the 2020 Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
Maine BEP Approves First CUU Determinations for PFAS Products
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection approved two Currently Unavoidable Use (CUU) determinations: (1) cleaning product container internal cartridge valves and (2) cleaning product container vented cap liners. Both determinations are valid until January 1, 2031, allowing continued sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS for these specific applications. Nine other CUU proposals were denied, including cookware/bakeware with PTFE coatings, small kitchen appliances, upholstered furniture, and cosmetic product containers.
ARENA publishes LCA Guidelines for Bioenergy Projects aligned to ISO 14040
ARENA has published comprehensive LCA Guidelines for Bioenergy Projects providing methodology and best practices for conducting life cycle assessments of bioenergy projects. The guidelines are aligned to ISO 14040 and cover life cycle inventory (LCI) compilation, multifunctionality and co-products handling, and environmental impact evaluation for bioenergy systems throughout their life cycle.
CARB settles with ZIM Integrated Shipping for $12.5M
CARB reached a $12,500,000 settlement with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. for violations of CARB's Airborne Toxic Control Measure for vessel fuel requirements. The settlement, processed through ZIM's agent ZIM American Integrated Shipping Services Co. LLC, represents a significant enforcement action for marine vessel fuel compliance in California waters.
NTIA Publishes Updated BABA Compliance and Documentation Requirements
NTIA published updated BABA Compliance and Documentation Requirements guidance for recipients of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD), Middle Mile, and Tribal Broadband Connectivity Programs. The guidance details documentation requirements, procedures for demonstrating compliance with Buy America Preference, and responsibilities for determining whether products are subject to BABA requirements under 2 CFR Part 184.
DOI publishes updated BABA FAQs guidance document
The Department of the Interior published an updated Build America Buy America Act FAQs document providing guidance on BABA domestic sourcing requirements for infrastructure projects receiving federal financial assistance. The FAQs address common questions about applicability, product coverage, and compliance obligations for DOI-administered programs.
USGBC Publishes LEED v5 Recertification Guidance
USGBC has published comprehensive LEED v5 Recertification Guidance for buildings renewing their existing LEED certification. Key changes include: reduced performance reporting requirements with a minimum of 12 months of performance data for energy and water use, prerequisite-level performance requirements limited to energy efficiency only, and all previously certified projects automatically achieving 5 points under the LEED Recertification Project Priorities credit. The guidance aligns recertification with LEED v5's focus on decarbonization, resilience, human well-being, and transparency through performance-based metrics.
BIS revises firearms license requirements for civilian exports
BIS issued a final rule revising firearms export license requirements under the EAR. The rule includes provisions for Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in the Automated Export System (AES), enabling BIS to fulfill conventional arms reporting requirements without separate submissions from exporters. The changes include paragraph restructuring, clarifying edits, and conforming changes related to new ECCNs added by the Firearms Interim Final Rule, improving regulatory clarity for firearms exporters.
EPA releases primacy extension templates and draft PFAS abbreviated data reporting instructions for PFAS NPDWR implementation
EPA posted new implementation tools for the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), including (1) primacy extension request templates for primacy agencies seeking additional time to revise drinking water programs and (2) draft PFAS Abbreviated Data Reporting Instructions. These materials are intended to support state primacy agencies and public water systems in implementing program revisions and data reporting associated with the PFAS NPDWR.
EPA issues Sept 30, 2025 primacy extension request templates for state adoption of the 2024 PFAS NPDWR
EPA published primacy extension request documents (memo/templates) to support states, territories, and tribes in requesting additional time to adopt the 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) into their primacy programs. This is an implementation support update for drinking-water regulators and utilities; compliance teams should monitor primacy adoption timelines and any associated state-level implementation schedules tied to the NPDWR.
September 2025 Prop 65 Enforcement Targets PFAS in Consumer Products
In September 2025, 509 Proposition 65 Notices of Violation were issued in California. PFOA and PFOS were specifically cited in enforcement actions targeting waterproof cosmetics, coated fabrics, and packaging materials, demonstrating heightened Prop 65 enforcement activity against PFAS-containing consumer products. Products cited include outerwear, rain jackets, baby bibs, shower curtains, umbrellas, bags, cosmetics, and paper straws. This enforcement trend underscores the need for manufacturers to ensure compliance with Prop 65 warning requirements for products containing listed PFAS chemicals.
EPA releases draft PFAS Abbreviated Data Reporting instructions and UCMR 5 PFAS data reprocessing notice to support PFAS NPDWR implementation
As part of PFAS NPDWR implementation support, EPA posted implementation updates including (1) a draft document for PFAS Abbreviated Data Reporting instructions and (2) a notice regarding release/reprocessing of UCMR 5 PFAS data and the SDWIS state upload process. These materials are relevant for public water systems and primacy agencies preparing monitoring/data submission and leveraging UCMR 5 data for compliance planning and administration under the PFAS drinking water rule.
EPA publishes primacy/implementation timeline and extension request materials for the PFAS NPDWR
EPA posted primacy extension request documents and related implementation materials for the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). The materials summarize key primacy/implementation milestones for states (including primacy revision package due dates and extension pathways) and provide templates/supporting documents to request primacy extensions. Compliance teams at water utilities and state primacy agencies should use these materials to plan regulatory adoption schedules, monitoring program build-out, and capital planning aligned to the NPDWR implementation timeline.
EPA publishes primacy extension request templates to support PFAS NPDWR state implementation
EPA published implementation resources for the PFAS NPDWR, including templates intended to help primacy agencies request extensions for primacy revision actions. State primacy agencies and regulated water systems should use these materials to plan state adoption/primacy timelines and coordinate implementation planning.
BIS expands end-user controls to cover 50%-owned affiliates of listed entities
BIS expanded end-user controls to automatically extend Entity List, MEU List, and SDN List license requirements to non-U.S. entities owned 50% or more by listed parties. The 'Affiliates Rule' significantly expands the scope of restricted parties beyond explicitly named entities. IMPORTANT: This rule was suspended for one year effective November 10, 2025, with automatic snap-back scheduled for November 10, 2026.