All regulatory updates
1479 results found
NJDEP Issues Enforcement Alert on Nine TRI PFAS Reporting Requirements
NJDEP issued a compliance advisory alerting facilities that nine PFAS added to the federal Toxics Release Inventory on January 3, 2025, pursuant to the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, are now subject to reporting under New Jersey's Community Right to Know (CRTK) Survey, Release and Pollution Prevention Report (RPPR), and Pollution Prevention (P2) Plans. Facilities subject to CRTK and P2 programs must include these newly listed PFAS in their annual reporting.
DOE publishes counterfactual GHG emission factor for biogas and RNG life cycle assessment
The U.S. Department of Energy has published a technical document providing generic counterfactual greenhouse gas emission factors for life cycle assessment of manure-derived biogas and renewable natural gas. This guidance supports consistent LCA methodology application for RNG and biogas pathways, enabling standardized emissions accounting and comparison aligned with ISO 14040/14044 principles.
NY Senate Bill S3207A Proposes PFAS Drinking Water MCLs and Hazard Index
New York State Senate Bill S3207A (2025-2026 Legislative Session) proposes establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and a hazard index in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill would expand New York's current drinking water standards, which currently regulate PFOA and PFOS at 10 ppt each. The legislation is in the proposal stage and has not yet been enacted.
Sodium-ion Battery Provisions Added to IATA DGR
The 66th edition of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (2025) introduced new UN numbers and packing instructions for sodium-ion batteries with liquid organic electrolytes. This marks the first specific regulatory provisions for sodium-ion batteries in air transport regulations. New packing instructions PI 977 and PI 978 were added for sodium-ion batteries, providing classification and shipping requirements paralleling lithium-ion battery provisions. Packing Instructions 952 and 960 were amended to encompass sodium-ion battery powered vehicles.
PFAS Regulation in Massachusetts: TURA Reporting and Phased Elimination
Massachusetts manages PFAS through a dual-track system. Under TURA, industrial facilities exceeding specific thresholds must track and report their use of listed PFAS categories. Concurrently, new state legislation has established a phased approach to eliminating intentionally added PFAS from consumer goods and industrial discharges to protect environmental justice populations and municipal water systems. The employee notification deadline is January 1, 2026; TURA reporting and planning are due by July 1, 2026; intentionally added PFAS in specified product categories were subject to elimination as of January 1, 2026; and sales of firefighter turnout gear containing PFAS are prohibited beginning in 2027.
ISO advances ISO/CD 14077 committee draft on applying chain-of-custody models in LCA (ISO 14040/14044)
ISO has a committee draft in progress: ISO/CD 14077, which addresses requirements and guidelines for applying Chain of Custody (CoC) models in Life Cycle Assessment, building on ISO 14040/14044 LCA methodology and CoC concepts (e.g., mass balance/segregation attribution). While not a binding regulation, this draft may lead to a future published ISO standard that could materially affect how organizations substantiate CoC-based claims within LCAs and how supply-chain traceability assumptions are documented. Teams relying on ISO 14040/14044-aligned LCAs should monitor ISO/CD 14077 progress for future adoption impacts.
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 Senate Bill S4574B Proposes PFAS Discharge Disclosure Requirements
New York State Senate Bill S4574B (2025-2026 Legislative Session), titled the 'PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act,' proposes new disclosure requirements for PFAS discharges. If enacted, the legislation would require reporting of PFAS releases to waterways, creating new compliance obligations for facilities with PFAS-containing discharge streams. The bill is in the proposal stage.
Maine Clarifies Motor Vehicle Exemption in PFAS Product Statute
Maine enacted Chapter 68 (S.P. 419 - L.D. 987) amending 38 MRSA §1614 to clarify the motor vehicle exemption language in the state's PFAS in products statute. The amendment modifies subsection 4(I) regarding exemptions for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. This statutory clarification affects the scope of products exempt from Maine's PFAS sales prohibitions.
Hawaii SB683 proposes PFAS restrictions in consumer products including textiles and cosmetics
Hawaii Senate Bill 683 addresses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. The bill recognizes PFAS as 'forever chemicals' that persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body through consumption, skin contact, and food packaging. The legislation builds upon Act 152 (2022) which previously prohibited PFAS in certain food packaging. SB683 proposes to extend PFAS restrictions to clothing, textiles, food packaging, and cosmetic products including lotions, nail polish, shaving cream, and mascara.
Stockholm Convention consolidated 'Text and Annexes' revised in 2025 incorporates COP-12 amendments (chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, LC‑PFCAs listed; UV‑328 amended)
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat published an updated consolidated version of the Convention text and annexes ("revised in 2025") reflecting COP-12 amendments. The consolidated text incorporates COP-12 decisions to add chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds to Annex A (elimination) and to amend the Annex A listing for UV‑328 (specific exemption adjustments). For compliance teams, this consolidated treaty text is an authoritative reference for current Annex scope, supporting screening of products/materials and assessing whether any specific exemptions may apply in relevant jurisdictions implementing the Convention.
Vermont AG publishes guidance on PFAS product bans implementation
The Vermont Attorney General's Office published comprehensive guidance on PFAS product bans under Acts 131 and 54. The guidance clarifies that covered products include cosmetics, menstrual products, consumer products, food packaging, Class B firefighting foam, and personal protective equipment with varying effective dates. For cosmetics and menstrual products, the guidance also details additional chemical restrictions beyond PFAS including ortho-phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, asbestos, and triclosan. The guidance provides practical compliance information for manufacturers and distributors.
COP-12 decision SC-12/9 lists chlorpyrifos in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/9 amending Annex A to add chlorpyrifos (CAS 2921-88-2). The decision establishes the Annex A listing entry and specifies that production/use is to be eliminated except where a Party has registered applicable specific exemptions in the Register. Compliance teams should evaluate whether chlorpyrifos is present in products, formulations, or supply chains and determine whether any activities rely on uses that would only be permissible under registered exemptions in implementing jurisdictions.
COP-12 decision SC-12/10 lists medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/10 amending Annex A to add medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) with specific exemptions. This establishes global treaty-level elimination obligations (subject to registered exemptions) that are typically mirrored into national/regional POPs implementing laws. Compliance teams should review MCCP use in articles and mixtures (e.g., plastics, sealants, industrial applications) and monitor downstream implementing restrictions and any time-limited exemptions in relevant markets.
Hawaii SB683 proposes expanded PFAS restrictions in consumer products
Hawaii Senate Bill 683 (2025 Legislative Session) proposes expanding PFAS restrictions beyond the existing food packaging prohibition under Act 152. The bill would restrict PFAS in a broader range of products including clothing, textiles, food packaging, and cosmetic products such as lotions, nail polish, shaving cream, and mascara. The legislation recognizes PFAS as 'forever chemicals' that do not naturally break down and can enter the human body through consumption, skin application, and food packaging materials.
Connecticut SB 887 proposes cookware exemption from PFAS requirements
Senate Bill 887, introduced in the January 2025 legislative session, proposes to amend section 22a-903c of the Connecticut General Statutes to modify the definition of cookware and exempt certain cookware items from PFAS requirements under Connecticut's PFAS in Products law. The bill has been referred to the Environment Committee. If enacted, this could narrow the scope of cookware subject to PFAS notification, labeling, and sales prohibition requirements effective July 1, 2026.
COP-12 decision SC-12/14 amends UV-328 Annex A listing by adding an additional specific exemption (aviation uses; expiry end of 2030)
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/14 amending the Annex A listing for UV-328 to add an additional specific exemption for certain aviation-related uses, with the decision text indicating expiry by the end of 2030. Compliance teams should assess whether UV-328 is used in aircraft-related products or supply chains and, where relevant, confirm whether any continued use is reliant on this specific exemption and whether the Party/jurisdiction has properly registered the exemption and its conditions/expiry are managed.
Stockholm Convention Text and Annexes Revised 2025 Published
The Stockholm Convention Secretariat has published the revised 2025 text and annexes of the Convention. This consolidated version incorporates all amendments adopted at COP-12 (April-May 2025), including the listing of chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) in Annex A, as well as the UV-328 specific exemption amendment. The revised text serves as the authoritative reference for all Convention obligations.
COP-12 decision SC-12/12 lists long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds in Annex A with specific exemptions
At COP-12, Parties adopted decision SC-12/12 amending Annex A to add long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds, with specific exemptions. This treaty listing supports elimination controls (subject to registered exemptions) and can drive implementing measures and downstream restrictions for PFAS-like substances in multiple jurisdictions. Compliance teams should identify LC‑PFCA-related substances in materials and evaluate impacts on manufacturing, import/export, and waste management obligations in implementing markets.
UK enacts POPs Amendment Regulations introducing UV-328 and Dechlorane Plus exemptions
The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/297) introduces specific exemptions for UV-328 and Dechlorane Plus as permitted under the Stockholm Convention listings. These exemptions allow continued use of these chemicals in specified applications despite their listing as POPs. The regulations implement UK obligations under the Stockholm Convention following COP-11 decisions that listed these chemicals in Annex A.