All regulatory updates
1254 results found
EPA proposes PFAS indicator monitoring in proposed 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater
EPA released a pre-publication Federal Register notice for the proposed 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater that includes a new provision for PFAS “indicator monitoring” (described as quarterly, report-only analytical monitoring for PFAS for many sectors). This creates a potential new PFAS monitoring expectation for facilities operating under the MSGP in EPA-permitting areas. Compliance teams should identify affected sites/sectors, assess sampling/analytical feasibility and cost, and prepare to submit comments once the proposal is formally published (comment deadline stated as 60 days after Federal Register publication).
EPA proposes 2026 NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) with report-only PFAS indicator monitoring for certain sectors
EPA’s Proposed 2026 NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) fact sheet includes a new provision for certain industrial sectors to conduct quarterly, report-only indicator analytical monitoring for PFAS. The fact sheet references monitoring for a suite of PFAS compounds aligned with EPA Method 1633, with analysis using EPA Method 1633. Facilities that rely on MSGP coverage should evaluate whether their sector would be subject to PFAS monitoring and prepare for potential sampling/lab capacity and internal reporting workflows if finalized.
OEHHA 'Clear and Reasonable Warnings' safe-harbor amendments approved by OAL; effective Jan 1, 2025
OEHHA’s amendments to the Proposition 65 'Clear and Reasonable Warnings' regulations (safe-harbor warning methods and content) were approved by the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on Nov 26, 2024 and became effective Jan 1, 2025. This affects how businesses may satisfy safe-harbor warning requirements for Proposition 65 exposures in California, and compliance programs should align warning language, format, and delivery methods with the amended safe-harbor provisions and transition details described in OEHHA’s rulemaking record.
OEHHA adopts amendments to Proposition 65 ‘clear and reasonable warnings’ regulations (effective Jan 1, 2025)
The Office of Administrative Law approved OEHHA’s rulemaking updating the Proposition 65 ‘clear and reasonable warnings’ regulation (safe harbor warning methods and content). The amendments became effective January 1, 2025, impacting how businesses may structure compliant warnings (including content and format elements) for listed-chemical exposures in California.
Proposition 65 Short-Form Warning Amendments Effective January 2025
OEHHA adopted amendments to Title 27, California Code of Regulations sections 25601, 25602, 25603, and 25607.2, adding new sections 25607.50-25607.53 governing short-form warning statements. The amendments were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on November 26, 2024 and became effective January 1, 2025. A three-year implementation period allows businesses to transition until January 1, 2028, after which the old short-form warning format may no longer be used. The amendments also add new tailored safe harbor warnings for passenger and off-highway motor vehicle parts and recreational marine vessel parts.
European Commission call for evidence seeking views on the future Digital Product Passport
The European Commission opened a call for evidence seeking stakeholder views on the future Digital Product Passport (DPP). This is a preparatory step supporting impact assessment and development of future DPP system rules under the ESPR framework. Compliance teams should monitor and engage because resulting secondary legislation and technical system requirements could influence DPP data governance, access rights, identifiers/carriers, interoperability, and obligations for economic operators and supporting service providers.
MoEFCC Gazette publishes 2024 amendment substituting Rule 23 to reference penalties under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
An official Gazette of India notification hosted on MoEFCC’s website amends the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The amendment substitutes Rule 23 (“Action for contravention”) to clarify that any person failing to comply with/contravening the rules is liable to a penalty under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. For compliance teams, this is a legally binding change clarifying the penalty basis for non-compliance under the E-Waste framework and should be reflected in compliance risk/penalty mappings and internal enforcement escalation procedures.
ISO publishes 14075:2024 Social Life Cycle Assessment standard
ISO published ISO 14075:2024 'Environmental management — Principles and framework for social life cycle assessment' — the first international standard for Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). The standard establishes principles, framework, requirements, and guidance for assessing social impacts of products throughout their life cycle. It supports addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by identifying enabling and inhibiting aspects. The framework covers goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, interpretation, and reporting for S-LCA. This represents a major expansion of the ISO 14000 LCA series, integrating social sustainability alongside environmental assessment.
Maryland MDE establishes PFAS action levels and monitoring requirements for Significant Industrial Users
Pursuant to Maryland SB 0956 (2024), MDE has identified Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) that currently and intentionally use PFAS chemicals and established PFAS monitoring and testing protocols for identified SIUs, effective January 1, 2025. The document details PFAS action levels for SIUs operating under pretreatment permits that discharge wastewater into sanitary sewer systems. MDE's Pretreatment Program has established monitoring requirements and testing protocols for facilities using PFAS chemicals.
ISO 14071:2024 Published for LCA Critical Review Processes and Reviewer Competencies
ISO has published ISO 14071:2024, a new international standard specifying requirements and providing guidance for critical review processes and reviewer competencies in life cycle assessment (LCA). This standard establishes procedures for conducting critical reviews of LCA studies in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, ensuring quality, consistency, and credibility of LCA results. Organizations commissioning or conducting LCAs should ensure critical reviews comply with the new competency and process requirements.
FHWA approves project-specific BABA waiver for IDOT Pump Station 37
FHWA published a Buy America waiver notification for the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Pump Station 37 Project. The waiver is limited to applicable purchases by IDOT, IDOT's contractors, or subcontractors of the waiver items (submersible pumps). The waiver does not apply to purchases made for any other products or projects. The waiver is effective from the effective date of the final waiver through the period of performance and closeout of FHWA's financial assistance for the project, estimated to be October 2028.
California enacts AB 2515 banning PFAS in menstrual products
AB 2515 (Chapter 1008, Statutes of 2024) prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale in California of menstrual products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Expands California's comprehensive PFAS product restrictions beyond existing categories (textiles, cosmetics, juvenile products, food packaging).
California enacts AB 347 establishing PFAS enforcement framework
AB 347 (Chapter 932, Statutes of 2024) creates California's first comprehensive enforcement mechanism for PFAS product prohibitions under AB 1817 (textiles), AB 1200 (food packaging), and AB 652 (juvenile products). DTSC must adopt regulations and publish testing methods by January 1, 2029. Manufacturers must register and provide compliance statements by July 1, 2029. Enforcement with penalty authority begins July 1, 2030.
California AB 347 Enacts Household Product PFAS Testing Framework
AB 347 was chaptered on September 29, 2024 (Chapter 932, Statutes of 2024), establishing testing and enforcement provisions for household products containing regulated PFAS. The law defines regulated PFAS to include intentionally added PFAS or PFAS presence at or above 100 ppm in products or product components. Compliance teams placing household products in California should prepare for testing requirements and enforcement mechanisms under this framework.
European Commission infringement action for failure to transpose Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/232 (exemption for cadmium/lead in recovered rigid PVC profiles)
The European Commission adopted an infringements package that includes letters of formal notice to Portugal and Slovakia for failing to transpose Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/232 amending Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS). The delegated directive introduces a RoHS exemption for certain applications involving cadmium and lead in plastic profiles in electrical and electronic windows and doors containing recovered rigid PVC. Compliance teams placing such products on the EU market should monitor national transposition/implementation in the cited Member States, as lack of transposition can create market-access uncertainty for products relying on the exemption despite EU-level adoption.
Commission opens infringement procedures against Portugal and Slovakia for failure to transpose RoHS Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/232 (recovered rigid PVC profiles exemption conditions)
The European Commission opened infringement procedures (letters of formal notice) against Portugal and Slovakia for failure to communicate national transposition measures for Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2024/232 by the required deadline stated in the research text (31 July 2024). The delegated directive amends RoHS to enable certain uses of recovered rigid PVC in plastic profiles for electrical/electronic windows and doors under specified conditions (including cadmium and lead concentration limits and marking/traceability requirements as described in the research text). This enforcement action is relevant for companies relying on Member State implementation of the exemption and indicates increased Commission scrutiny on timely transposition of RoHS delegated directives.
EU restricts PFHxA, its salts and related substances under REACH Annex XVII
Commission Regulation restricts undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances under REACH Annex XVII, with phased restrictions beginning April 2026. This targeted PFAS restriction, based on a German proposal, addresses short-chain PFAS used in textiles, food contact materials, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and other applications. Separate from the broader Universal PFAS restriction proposal still under evaluation.
RMI announces upcoming EMRT 2.0 (planned April 2025) with scope expansion to copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel and an optional mine-level facility tab
RMI announced its plan to release EMRT 2.0 in April 2025, expanding EMRT mineral scope to include copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel (in addition to the pre-existing EMRT minerals), and introducing an optional mine-level facility tab. For organizations that use EMRT to meet downstream customer due diligence expectations, this signals expanded supplier data needs and potential system/template changes ahead of the planned release.
RMI announces upcoming EMRT 2.0 release and expands EMRT mineral scope to copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel
RMI published an official announcement that the next major EMRT release (EMRT 2.0) is planned for April 2025 and will expand EMRT reporting scope by adding four minerals: copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel (in addition to existing EMRT minerals). This is directly relevant to EMRT users because supplier surveys, internal scoping logic, and downstream customer requirements must be updated to collect and validate sourcing/processor information for the expanded mineral set once EMRT 2.0 is adopted.
RMI announces upcoming EMRT 2.0 scope expansion to add copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel
RMI announced that the upcoming EMRT 2.0 release would expand the EMRT reporting scope by adding four minerals—copper, natural graphite, lithium, and nickel—alongside existing EMRT minerals (cobalt and mica). This scope expansion is relevant for compliance teams because it increases supplier data-collection requirements and due-diligence coverage for energy-transition and battery-related minerals.