All regulatory updates
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ECHA adds 5 substances to SVHC Candidate List in January 2025 update
ECHA published the 32nd update of the REACH Candidate List on 21 January 2025, adding 5 new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). The added substances include: Perfluamine (EC 206-420-2, CAS 338-83-0) - vPvB; O,O,O-triphenyl phosphorothioate (EC 209-909-9, CAS 597-82-0) - PBT; Octamethyltrisiloxane (EC 203-497-4, CAS 107-51-7) - vPvB; Reaction mass of triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives (EC 421-820-9, CAS 192268-65-8) - PBT; and 6-[(C10-C13)-alkyl-(branched, unsaturated)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl]hexanoic acid (EC 701-118-1, CAS 2156592-54-8) - Toxic for reproduction. The Candidate List now includes 247 SVHCs. Companies have immediate communication obligations under Article 33 of REACH for articles containing these substances above 0.1% w/w.
ECHA adds five substances to the REACH SVHC Candidate List and updates one existing entry (total 247 entries)
ECHA updated the REACH Candidate List on 21 January 2025 by adding five new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) and updating one existing Candidate List entry. This Candidate List update triggers downstream REACH SVHC obligations for supply chains, including Article 33 communication duties for SVHCs in articles above 0.1% w/w, potential Article 7(2) notifications for EU producers/importers of articles (where applicable), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) update expectations for suppliers of listed substances/mixtures. Companies placing articles on the EU market should reassess SVHC content, update customer/consumer communications, and review SCIP-related obligations where relevant.
PHMSA issues nonavailability waiver of BABA requirements for specified gas distribution products under NGDISM program
PHMSA issued a nonavailability waiver under BABA for certain products used in the NGDISM grant program (as described in the Federal Register notice). This waiver provides compliance relief where domestic products are not reasonably available, affecting procurement decisions for covered natural gas distribution modernization work funded under the program. Compliance teams should assess whether procurements fall within the waiver’s scope and conditions and document eligibility accordingly.
PHMSA grants project-specific BABA waiver for City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri (NGDISM grant program)
PHMSA granted a project-specific waiver under BABA for City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri, for certain products used under the NGDISM grant program. The waiver applies only to the identified project and products described in the Federal Register notice. Compliance teams supporting this project (and similarly situated grantees) should ensure waiver scope controls are implemented (product list, project limitation, and recordkeeping) to avoid misapplication to other procurements.
ECHA updates REACH SVHC Candidate List: five substances added and one existing entry updated (total 247 entries)
On 21 January 2025, ECHA updated the REACH SVHC Candidate List by adding five hazardous chemicals and updating one existing entry, bringing the Candidate List total to 247 entries. This update is relevant for REACH SVHC compliance because Candidate List additions/entry updates can affect Article 33 communication requirements for SVHCs in articles above 0.1% w/w, associated supply-chain information flows, and other Candidate List-related obligations referenced by ECHA. Compliance teams should review the specific substances/entry update in the ECHA notice and validate substance identifiers and any revised concern information against the authoritative Candidate List table.
EPA posts latest non-confidential TSCA Inventory update (#7)
EPA announced availability of the latest update to the non-confidential TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Update #7). Inventory updates support determinations of whether a substance is listed as an existing chemical and provide updated activity status and regulatory flags used for compliance screening. Companies should refresh internal Inventory datasets and screening tools used for TSCA Section 5 and import/manufacture compliance checks.
SB0167 proposes PFAS ban in juvenile products
Senate Bill 0167 proposes to amend the PFAS Reduction Act to prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of juvenile products containing intentionally added PFAS beginning January 1, 2026. The bill includes exemptions for federally preempted products, used products, prosthetic/orthotic devices, and FDA-regulated medical devices. Juvenile products are defined as products designed or marketed for children under 12 years of age.
EPA Releases 2025 Annual Plan for Chemical Risk Evaluations Under TSCA
EPA released its 2025 Annual Plan for Chemical Risk Evaluations under TSCA, providing transparency on upcoming regulatory activities. The plan confirms completion of final risk evaluations for DIDP and DINP by December 31, 2024, and documents the designation of five chemical substances as High-Priority for risk evaluation. Compliance teams should use this planning document to anticipate upcoming risk management actions and regulatory timelines for chemicals in their supply chains.
HUD Issues CPD Implementation Guidance for BABA Buy America Preference
HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) issued Notice CPD-2025-01 providing implementation guidance for the Build America, Buy America Act's Buy America Preference (BAP) requirements. The notice provides detailed guidance for CPD programs on implementing domestic content requirements for infrastructure projects receiving federal financial assistance. This guidance helps CPD grantees understand compliance obligations, documentation requirements, and waiver processes for HUD-funded infrastructure projects.
OEHHA lists vinyl acetate as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65 (effective Jan 3, 2025)
OEHHA issued an official notice listing vinyl acetate on the Proposition 65 list as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. Businesses whose products or operations may result in consumer or occupational exposures to vinyl acetate in California should evaluate whether warnings are required and update compliance documentation and supplier inquiries accordingly.
U.S. Department of Energy publishes BiCRS LCA best-practices guidance aligned to ISO 14040/14044
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a guidance document, "Best Practices for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Technologies" (dated January 17, 2025). The document is positioned as a best-practices companion to ISO 14040 (principles/framework) and ISO 14044 (requirements/guidelines), providing more specific recommendations for subjective methodological choices to support more consistent and comparable LCAs for BiCRS/carbon dioxide removal contexts. While DOE notes the document is not a legal instrument and does not establish a specific reporting template/requirement, it is directly relevant for compliance teams supporting DOE-funded projects, procurement, or program participation where DOE expects or recommends ISO 14040/14044-aligned LCA methods and consistent accounting of life-cycle GHG emissions.
DOE publishes BiCRS LCA Best Practices aligned to ISO 14040/14044
The U.S. Department of Energy published 'Best Practices for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Technologies' — an official guidance document explicitly positioned as a companion to ISO 14040 (principles/framework) and ISO 14044 (requirements/guidelines). The document provides specific methodological recommendations for conducting LCAs on carbon dioxide removal technologies, including cradle-to-grave system boundaries, co-product allocation hierarchies, standardized uncertainty quantification protocols, and induced land use change emissions accounting. Compliance-relevant for DOE-funded projects, procurement programs, and carbon removal accounting where government-backed methodological expectations apply.
U.S. Department of Energy publishes 'Best Practices for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) Technologies' aligned to ISO 14040/14044
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published an official best-practices guidance document for conducting LCAs of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) technologies. The document explicitly cites ISO 14040 (principles/framework) and ISO 14044 (requirements/guidelines) as the underpinning standards and positions itself as a complement to ISO 14040/14044 (not a replacement and not a legal document). For organizations preparing LCAs to support carbon removal accounting, procurement/funding expectations, or broader MRV practices where government-backed methodological expectations can influence acceptance of results, this guidance is compliance-relevant as an authoritative methodology reference.
BIS implements due diligence measures for advanced computing ICs
BIS implemented additional due diligence measures for advanced computing integrated circuits. The rule includes new Supplement Nos. 6 and 7 to Part 740 with lists of approved IC designers and approved OSAT companies, reporting requirements for front-end fabricators producing applicable advanced logic ICs for authorized IC designers, and application processes for additions to these lists.
BIS imposes controls on laboratory equipment and technology for biotechnology dual-use concerns
BIS implemented export controls on certain laboratory equipment and related technology to address dual-use concerns about biotechnology. The rule adds new controls on items that could be used for biological weapons development or other nefarious purposes while balancing legitimate scientific and commercial applications.
BIS implements due diligence measures for advanced computing integrated circuits
BIS implemented additional due diligence measures for advanced computing integrated circuits, including new reporting requirements for front-end fabricators producing applicable advanced logic ICs. The rule establishes approved IC designer and approved OSAT company lists, application processes for additions to these lists, and clarifies the scope of ECCN 3A090.a.
HUD PIH issues Notice PIH 2025-06 updating BABA Buy America Preference implementation guidance (supersedes PIH 2024-01)
HUD PIH issued Notice PIH 2025-06 updating and clarifying BABA Buy America Preference implementation guidance for Public Housing Agencies and PIH-funded activities, superseding the prior PIH notice. The notice provides updated direction on applicability/scope and implementation considerations (including how BABA applies in certain PIH program contexts and how waivers may be relevant). PIH recipients and their contractors should align procurement planning and compliance documentation with the updated PIH notice.
BIS imposes controls on laboratory equipment for dual-use concerns
BIS implemented controls on certain laboratory equipment and related technology to address dual-use concerns. The rule adds new ECCNs with license requirements and special conditions for Strategic Trade Authorization (STA). Controls target items with potential military or WMD-related applications.
EPA Seeks Comment on Vinyl Chloride TSCA Risk Evaluation Draft Scope
EPA announced availability of and seeks public comment on the draft scope of the TSCA risk evaluation for vinyl chloride (CASRN 75-01-4). The scope document must include conditions of use, hazards, exposures, and potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations that EPA expects to consider in the risk evaluation. This is part of EPA's High-Priority Substance review process under TSCA.
Washington Recycling Reform Act establishes packaging EPR program
Washington enacted the Recycling Reform Act (Senate Bill 5284, Chapter 70A.208 RCW) in 2025, establishing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for residential packaging and paper products. The law requires producers of covered materials to join and fund a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). Starting in 2030, recycling service providers will have most of their costs reimbursed by the PRO.