All regulatory updates
894 results found
OEHHA opens public comment on Notice of Intent to List hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole, and tacrolimus as carcinogens (Labor Code mechanism)
OEHHA published a Notice of Intent to List (NOIL) indicating it intends to add hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole, and tacrolimus to the Proposition 65 list as chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, using the Labor Code (IARC-based) listing mechanism. OEHHA opened a written public comment period limited to whether IARC sufficiently identified the specific chemicals as human/animal carcinogens. Compliance teams should monitor this action because a final listing would trigger downstream Proposition 65 evaluation and, where applicable, warning/notification obligations for products or exposures involving these substances once listed.
OEHHA Notice of Intent to list “welding fumes” as a carcinogen under the Labor Code mechanism; public comment open May 8–June 8, 2026
OEHHA issued a Notice of Intent to list “welding fumes” as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer under Proposition 65, using the Labor Code listing mechanism (ministerial listing pathway). OEHHA opened a public comment period running from May 8, 2026 through June 8, 2026. If finalized, the listing would require companies with relevant products/operations (e.g., welding processes, fabricated metal products, equipment, workplace exposures) to assess whether exposures are “significant” and whether Proposition 65 warnings or other risk management actions are needed.
COP-6 outcomes package published in all six UN languages (decisions now accessible)
The Minamata Convention Secretariat published the COP-6 outcomes/decisions package in all six UN languages. While this does not itself create new obligations, it provides the authoritative decision texts that Parties and compliance/legal teams use for interpreting COP-6 outcomes and planning domestic follow-up/implementation work.
European Commission publishes explanatory Q&A on the CSRD 'value chain cap' linked to the draft voluntary standard
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission published additional explanatory information (Q&A) clarifying how the CSRD ‘value chain cap’ is intended to function. The Q&A explains that CSRD in-scope companies cannot require value-chain partners with ≤1,000 employees to provide more sustainability information for CSRD purposes than what would be allowed under the Commission’s voluntary sustainability reporting standard (to be adopted via delegated act). This guidance is operationally important for supplier due diligence and data-request governance, as it frames what information can be demanded from smaller suppliers/partners and how to handle requests that exceed the cap.
European Commission opens feedback on draft revised ESRS and draft voluntary sustainability reporting standard (value chain cap operationalisation)
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission launched a ‘Have Your Say’ feedback period on (1) draft revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) under CSRD and (2) a draft sustainability reporting standard for voluntary use (intended for companies outside mandatory CSRD scope). The consultation is positioned as part of CSRD/Omnibus simplification, including operationalising the ‘value chain cap’ concept that limits what in-scope CSRD companies can require from smaller value-chain partners. Compliance teams should monitor and, where relevant, submit feedback, because the delegated acts would materially change ESRS datapoints and introduce a Commission-level voluntary standard that may become the ceiling for supplier data requests under the value chain cap mechanism.
European Commission opens feedback on draft revised ESRS and draft voluntary sustainability reporting standard (value chain cap)
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission launched a Have-Your-Say feedback process on draft final versions of (1) revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) under CSRD and (2) a sustainability reporting standard for voluntary use, intended in part to operationalize the CSRD “value chain cap” (limiting information requests from value-chain partners with ≤1,000 employees). Compliance teams should monitor and consider submitting feedback because the revised ESRS could materially change future required datapoints and reduce reporting burden, and the voluntary standard may become the reference point for supplier data requests and value-chain information collection expectations once adopted via delegated acts.
USGBC publishes LEED v4/v4.1 transition deadlines: registration closes June 30, 2026 (most systems) and certification sunset June 30, 2032; specific exceptions extend registration windows
USGBC’s LEED certification deadlines table specifies transition dates for LEED v4 and v4.1. For most LEED v4/v4.1 commercial rating systems (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), new registrations close on 2026-06-30 and certification submissions sunset on 2032-06-30. The table also documents exceptions (e.g., some O+M recertification/interiors pathways and certain campus/volume scenarios) that allow registration beyond 2026-06-30 while retaining the 2032-06-30 sunset. This impacts project pipeline planning (which rating system a project can register under) and internal controls to ensure teams register before the applicable close date and plan submissions ahead of the sunset.
USGBC: LEED v5 becomes the only option for new commercial project registrations starting July 1, 2026 (BD+C, ID+C, O+M)
USGBC Help Center guidance states that beginning 2026-07-01, LEED v5 will be the only version available for new registrations for commercial BD+C, ID+C, and O+M (with limited exceptions referenced in the official deadlines table). This affects project registration decisions and contract/scoping language for projects intending to pursue LEED certification around mid-2026.
European Commission confirms first version of the DPP registry planned to be operational in July 2026; reports progress on cross-sector DPP harmonised standards (CEN/CENELEC JTC24)
In a published parliamentary answer dated 4 May 2026, the European Commission confirms an implementation milestone for the EU-side Digital Product Passport (DPP) infrastructure: a first version of the DPP registry (to comply with the Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and aligned with ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 concepts) is planned to be operational in July 2026. The same answer also provides an official status update on cross-sector DPP standardisation: CEN/CENELEC JTC24 reported a positive vote (2 April 2026) on a set of requested harmonised standards covering unique identifiers, data carriers/physical-digital link, interoperability, data exchange formats, storage/archiving/persistence, and APIs for passport lifecycle management and searchability, with remaining votes planned in Q2 2026. For compliance teams, this is actionable for DPP program planning because it signals timing for registry connectivity readiness and indicates the technical standardisation deliverables expected to underpin DPP interoperability, identifiers, data carriers, and system interfaces across product groups.
CalRecycle updates SB 54 Producer Guidance with compliance pathway and June 1, 2026 action deadline (following May 1, 2026 regulations effective date)
CalRecycle’s SB 54 Producer Guidance communicates the producer compliance pathway and reiterates near-term timing tied to SB 54 regulations becoming effective May 1, 2026. The guidance indicates producers have until June 1, 2026 to take one of the required compliance actions (e.g., join a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or claim a small producer exemption) and references use of CalRecycle’s portal (PEPRS) for submissions (e.g., baseline/annual reporting and related program deliverables). Compliance teams should treat this as regulator guidance for immediate onboarding and submission readiness under SB 54.
EPA issues project-specific nonavailability waiver for Towanda Municipal Authority (PA) jet motive pumps (CWSRF)
EPA issued a project-specific nonavailability waiver under BABA manufactured product requirements for Towanda Municipal Authority (Pennsylvania) to permit use of jet motive pumps for a CWSRF-funded wastewater project due to lack of BABA-compliant alternatives meeting technical specifications. The waiver affects documentation and procurement decisions for the covered project by allowing the specified noncompliant manufactured products to be used under the waiver’s terms.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has amended its Part 620 Groundwater Quality Regulations to establish state-specific Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The amendments are designed to protect public health by limiting PFAS exposure through drinking water sources and strengthening groundwater quality protections across the state. Under the regulation, community water supplies must conduct monitoring for regulated PFAS compounds and demonstrate compliance with the established MCLs according to the phased implementation schedule.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has amended its Part 620 Groundwater Quality Regulations to establish state-specific Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The amendments are designed to protect public health by limiting PFAS exposure through drinking water sources and strengthening groundwater quality protections across the state. Under the regulation, community water supplies must conduct monitoring for regulated PFAS compounds and demonstrate compliance with the established MCLs according to the phased implementation schedule.
CalRecycle producer guidance reiterates May 1, 2026 regulations effective date and June 1, 2026 producer action deadline
CalRecycle updated/maintains producer-facing guidance for California’s SB 54 packaging EPR program stating that SB 54 regulations are effective May 1, 2026, and that producers must take a required compliance action by June 1, 2026 (e.g., apply for participation in a PRO plan, submit an independent producer application, or seek a small-producer exemption, as described on the guidance page). Compliance teams selling covered packaging/single-use food service ware into California should align internal readiness and submissions to the May 1, 2026 effective date and the June 1, 2026 action deadline outlined by CalRecycle.
Illinois has enacted new legislation requiring wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities holding Clean Water Act discharge permits to conduct ongoing monitoring for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharges, biosolids, and sewage sludge. The law is intended to identify and control major sources of PFAS contamination entering Illinois waterways and the environment.
Illinois has enacted new legislation requiring wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities holding Clean Water Act discharge permits to conduct ongoing monitoring for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharges, biosolids, and sewage sludge. The law is intended to identify and control major sources of PFAS contamination entering Illinois waterways and the environment.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has established reporting requirements for products containing intentionally added PFAS under Minnesota’s Amara’s Law. Manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Minnesota that contain intentionally added PFAS must submit detailed product and chemical information to the state.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has established reporting requirements for products containing intentionally added PFAS under Minnesota’s Amara’s Law. Manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Minnesota that contain intentionally added PFAS must submit detailed product and chemical information to the state. Initial reports are due by: September 15, 2026
EPA issues project-specific nonavailability waiver for Lexington-Fayette (KY) optical sorter and robotic sorting equipment (SWIFR)
EPA issued a project-specific nonavailability waiver under BABA manufactured product requirements for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (Kentucky) to allow procurement/use of an optical sorter and robotic sorting equipment because domestic products meeting BABA and the project’s technical specifications were not available. The waiver applies to the identified project and authorizes recipients/contractors to treat the covered items as compliant for the award/project when documenting BABA compliance.
European Parliament resolution urges the Commission to accelerate DPP secondary legislation (notably for textiles, footwear, children's products, cosmetics, electronics)
The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution emphasizing that swift implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is essential for stronger enforcement and urging the European Commission to adopt the necessary secondary (delegated/implementing) legislation without delay, explicitly calling out several high-risk/high non-compliance sectors (e.g., textiles, footwear, children’s products, cosmetics, electronics). While this does not itself change DPP legal obligations, it is an official policy signal that can foreshadow prioritization and timing of upcoming DPP secondary legislation under the ESPR framework.
Commission proposes implementing regulation for Digital Product Passport registry operation
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation establishes operational rules for the EU Central Digital Product Passport Registry under ESPR Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The regulation sets registry launch provisions, introduces 'verified economic operator' status requirements, and mandates secure electronic identification aligned with EU eIDAS rules. Once adopted, products cannot be placed on the EU market without valid DPP registration. Non-EU manufacturers must ensure systems align with EU importer obligations.
Commission opens public consultation on delegated act to expand exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on draft delegated rules that would add additional product categories to the exemption list from the EU Battery Regulation’s general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. Where exempted, batteries would generally need to be removable/replaceable by independent professionals instead. The consultation is relevant for product design, repairability, and technical documentation strategies for affected product categories (e.g., wearables, electric toys, ATEX-scope equipment). Stakeholders should review whether their products may fall within the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback via the Commission consultation portal before the consultation closes (deadline referenced in the Commission materials: 26 May 2026).
European Commission opens consultation on delegated act to add additional product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission opened a public consultation on draft rules (planned as a delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) to add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. The Commission also signaled it intends to update existing removability/replaceability guidelines to reflect the new derogations. Compliance teams should assess whether their product portfolio may qualify for (or be affected by) the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback during the consultation period.