All regulatory updates
1254 results found
Clean Truck Check compliance fee increases to $32.13 effective January 1, 2026
CARB updated the Clean Truck Check compliance fee to $32.13, reflecting a CPI adjustment, effective January 1, 2026. The fee applies to almost all non-gasoline heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000 pounds operating in California. This replaces the previous fee of $31.18.
Connecticut enacts battery EPR law (Public Act 25-34)
Connecticut enacted Public Act No. 25-34 establishing Extended Producer Responsibility for consumer batteries. The law defines 'covered battery' as portable or medium format batteries, with specific exclusions for medical device batteries, batteries with free liquid electrolyte, lead acid batteries over 11 pounds, and motor vehicle batteries. Producers of covered batteries will be responsible for end-of-life management.
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.
EU Environmental Footprint Transition Phase Concludes in 2025
The Environmental Footprint Transition phase, initiated in 2019, is expected to conclude in 2025. This phase aimed to monitor implementation of existing PEFCRs (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules) and OEFSRs (Organisation Environmental Footprint Sector Rules), develop new ones, and advance methodological developments integrating latest scientific findings. After the transition phase, the EF methods are expected to enter a phase of more stability and gradually wider application. Organizations using LCA-based Environmental Footprint methods should prepare for post-transition methodological stability and broader regulatory application.
ISO 14075 Published as International Standard for Social Life Cycle Assessment
ISO has published ISO 14075, establishing the first international standard for social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). This standard extends the LCA framework defined in ISO 14040/14044 to include social and socio-economic impacts throughout a product's life cycle, addressing aspects such as worker rights, health and safety, local community impacts, and consumer issues. Organizations conducting comprehensive sustainability assessments should incorporate S-LCA methodology alongside traditional environmental LCA to address the full scope of sustainability impacts.
Minnesota PFAS use prohibitions take effect starting Jan 1, 2025
Minnesota’s first phase of statutory PFAS use prohibitions takes effect starting January 1, 2025 (as summarized by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). Compliance teams supplying into Minnesota should confirm whether any products/uses they place on the market fall into the prohibited categories effective on this date and update product stewardship, material declarations, and procurement controls accordingly.
Singapore announces phase-out of 6 mercury-added products aligned to Minamata deadlines
Singapore NEA will prohibit the manufacture, import and export of 6 mercury-added products including compact fluorescent lamps (>30 watts), non-integrated ballast CFLs, linear halophosphate lamps, non-linear fluorescent lamps, cold cathode fluorescent lamps, and external electrode fluorescent lamps. Four products have phase-out date of 1 January 2027, with remaining products phased out per Minamata Convention timelines.
Hawaii PFAS Food Packaging Ban Takes Effect
Act 152 (2022) prohibition on PFAS in food packaging became effective December 31, 2024. The regulation bans the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of paper food packaging with intentionally added PFAS, including wraps, liners, plates, food boats, pizza boxes, and other paper-based food packaging. Applies to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, and food establishments. Businesses must transition to PFAS-free packaging alternatives.
EPA final rule updates TSCA New Chemicals Regulations (40 CFR Parts 720, 721, 723, 725)
EPA finalized amendments to the TSCA New Chemicals Program regulations (including 40 CFR parts 720, 721, 723, and 725). The update includes substantive procedural and eligibility changes affecting PMNs/SNUNs and exemptions—highlighted in the research as making new PFAS categorically ineligible for Low Volume Exemptions (LVE) and Low Release and Exposure Exemptions (LoREX), and requiring EPA approval of LVE/LoREX notices prior to commencing manufacture. Compliance teams should review internal new-chemical submission workflows, exemption screening logic (including PFAS), and timing assumptions for starting manufacture/import after submissions.
EPA Proposes Changes to TSCA PFAS Reporting Exemptions
EPA proposed changes to the scope of TSCA 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting regulations. The proposed exemptions apply to: PFAS manufactured (including imported) in mixtures or products at concentrations 0.1% or lower; imported articles; certain byproducts; impurities; research and development chemicals; and non-isolated intermediates. These changes are intended to reduce unnecessary or duplicative reporting requirements for manufacturers.
EPA final rule updates TSCA New Chemicals Regulations (40 CFR Parts 720, 721, 723, 725), including PFAS/PBT ineligibility for certain exemptions and strengthened premanufacture determination requirements
EPA finalized amendments to the TSCA New Chemicals Regulations (40 CFR Parts 720, 721, 723, and 725). As highlighted by EPA, the changes remove eligibility for certain exemptions (e.g., LVE/LoREX) for PFAS and other PBT chemicals and require EPA to make one of the five statutory determinations for PMNs/SNUNs/MCANs before manufacture/processing begins. Compliance teams submitting PMNs/SNUNs or relying on exemptions should reassess exemption strategies, timelines, and documentation in light of the updated rules.
EPA Finalizes New Chemicals Procedural Regulations Updates
EPA finalized amendments to the new chemicals procedural regulations under TSCA. These amendments align the regulatory text with the amendments to TSCA's new chemicals review provisions contained in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, enacted on June 22, 2016. The rule improves the efficiency of EPA's review processes and updates the regulations based on existing policies and experience implementing the New Chemicals Program.
EPA final rule updates TSCA New Chemicals regulations (including PFAS/PBT ineligibility for LVE/LoREX and updated determination requirements)
EPA finalized amendments to the TSCA new chemicals regulations governing EPA’s review of Premanufacture Notices (PMNs) and Significant New Use Notices (SNUNs). The research summary highlights changes that (a) make PFAS and other PBT chemicals ineligible for certain exemptions (e.g., Low Volume Exemption (LVE) / LoREX) and (b) require EPA to make one of the statutory determinations before manufacture/processing may begin. Compliance teams should review impacts on new chemical submissions, exemption strategies, and any PFAS/PBT-related R&D/manufacturing plans, and update internal submission workflows accordingly.
EPA final rule updates TSCA New Chemicals regulations (PFAS ineligible for LVE/LoREX; approvals required before manufacture)
EPA finalized updates to TSCA New Chemicals Program regulations (40 CFR parts 720, 721, 723, 725). Key compliance impacts include making PFAS categorically ineligible for Low Volume Exemptions (LVE) and Low Release and Exposure Exemptions (LoREX), and requiring EPA approval of LVE/LoREX before manufacture can commence, along with broader procedural updates aligning with Lautenberg amendments. Companies submitting PMNs/SNUNs/MCANs or relying on exemptions should update internal review timelines, exemption eligibility screening (including PFAS determination), and submission completeness processes.
DOT seeks comment on proposed BABA waiver for Pacific Island Territories
The Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on a proposed general applicability public interest waiver of Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements for federal financial assistance awarded for infrastructure projects located in the Pacific Island territories (Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) and the Freely Associated States (Republic of Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia). The proposed waiver would relieve recipients from domestic preference requirements under BABA section 70914(a) for infrastructure projects in these jurisdictions.
TSCA 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Required for 16 Chemicals
EPA finalized a rule under TSCA Section 8(d) requiring manufacturers (including importers) of 16 chemical substances to submit unpublished studies on environmental effects and occupational, general population, and consumer exposure. The 16 chemicals include: 4,4-Methylene bis(2-chloraniline) (CASRN 101-14-4), 4-tert-octylphenol (CASRN 140-66-9), Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0), Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1), Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3), Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2), Bisphenol A (CASRN 80-05-7), Ethylbenzene (CASRN 100-41-4), Hydrogen fluoride, and others.
China MIIT issues SJ/T 11364-2024 updating RoHS labeling requirements effective April 1, 2025
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued Announcement No. 39 of 2024 on December 10, 2024, adopting SJ/T 11364-2024, an updated electronic industry standard for labeling requirements for hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. The standard takes effect April 1, 2025. Key amendments include adding four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) as restricted substances, increasing the total from six to ten to align with EU RoHS, and removing regulations regarding the display method of production dates. Manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products in China must update their labeling practices to comply with the new requirements.
OEHHA adopts amendments to Proposition 65 'clear and reasonable warnings' regulations (short-form warnings changes effective Jan 1, 2025)
OEHHA adopted amendments to the Proposition 65 'clear and reasonable warnings' safe-harbor regulations, including updates impacting use and content of short-form warnings (e.g., requiring identification of at least one listed chemical). The amendments are effective January 1, 2025. Compliance teams should update labeling/artwork, online warnings, and related procedures to meet the amended safe-harbor content requirements and transition provisions.
BIS adds foreign-produced direct product rules for advanced computing
BIS added foreign-produced direct product rule additions and refinements to controls for advanced computing commodities and related items. The rule expands controls on items produced abroad using U.S. technology, targeting advanced computing ICs and related technology with new FDP rule provisions.
EPA releases proposed 2026 NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) fact sheet describing quarterly 'report-only' PFAS indicator monitoring
EPA published a fact sheet for the proposed 2026 NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) describing 'report-only' indicator analytical monitoring for PFAS on a quarterly basis (as described in the fact sheet). This signals potential new monitoring and reporting expectations for MSGP-covered industrial sectors if finalized; environmental compliance teams should review whether their facilities would be covered and plan for sampling, lab capacity, and data management impacts pending final permit issuance.