All regulatory updates
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EPA publishes 2026 Interim Guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS‑containing materials (2026 version)
EPA released an updated 2026 version of its Interim Guidance on destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials. While non-binding, it is compliance-relevant for organizations managing PFAS wastes (e.g., spent media, AFFF wastes, contaminated soils/biosolids) because it consolidates EPA’s current recommendations and risk considerations for destruction/disposal pathways (e.g., thermal treatment, landfilling, underground injection) and provides an evaluation framework for emerging technologies. Compliance teams should review vendor/technology selection, waste profiles, and permitting/records narratives against the updated guidance and any associated public-comment process referenced in the guidance materials.
UK packaging EPR: first mandatory report due April 1, 2027 for 2026 data
Under UK Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, the first mandatory report is for 2026 data and is due by April 1, 2027. Organizations must collect nation data showing where packaging is supplied and discarded within the UK. This represents the first full mandatory reporting year under the UK packaging EPR framework following the initial interim reporting periods.
EPA issues 2026 Interim Guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS‑containing materials
EPA published the 2026 version of its Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS and Materials Containing PFAS. The guidance updates EPA’s information and evaluation considerations for PFAS destruction/disposal pathways (e.g., thermal treatment, landfill disposal, underground injection) and includes an updated framework for assessing and selecting technologies. While non-binding, it is a key reference used by regulated parties and decision-makers managing PFAS-containing wastes and remediation residuals.
GOV.UK updates ‘Extended producer responsibility for packaging: who is affected and what to do’ guidance (updated April 20, 2026)
The UK government updated its official guidance page explaining who is affected by packaging EPR and what regulated entities must do (update date April 20, 2026). This guidance is used operationally by producers and compliance schemes to interpret obligations such as registration, ongoing status changes (e.g., notifying the regulator if you stop being a producer), and use of compliance scheme registers. Compliance teams should review the updated guidance and adjust internal procedures and communications with compliance schemes accordingly.
RMI Releases CMRT Version 6.6
RMI released CMRT version 6.6 on April 17, 2026, replacing CMRT 6.5. Key changes include: (1) Product List tab now includes 'Requester Product Number' and 'Requester Product Name' fields for improved traceability; (2) Updates to ISO short names for countries, states, and provinces; (3) Updated Smelter Reference List and Standard Smelter List; (4) Enhancements aligned with IPC-1755 without creating conflicts. CMRT 6.6 is the current standard for 3TG conflict minerals reporting under Dodd-Frank §1502 and EU Conflict Minerals Regulation.
RMI releases CMRT 6.6 with expanded product-level transparency fields
The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) released Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) version 6.6 on April 17, 2026 as part of a coordinated update to its responsible minerals reporting templates (alongside EMRT 2.11 and AMRT 1.31). CMRT 6.6 improves product-level transparency with expanded Product List fields and continues to cover the conflict minerals tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (3TG). Compliance teams using CMRT for supplier data collection should update internal SOPs, supplier instructions, and any portal/import validations to the v6.6 file, and align annual survey timing with the new release. RMI does not recognize modified versions not developed via its consensus process; companies should clearly state which CMRT version was used or accepted on each filing for auditability.
RMI releases EMRT v2.11 and recommends it for the reporting year (template update)
The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) released Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) version 2.11 on April 17, 2026 and indicates this is the recommended EMRT version for the reporting year. Compliance teams using EMRT for supply-chain due diligence should update internal tooling, supplier survey packages, and version controls to ensure EMRT data collection and customer responses use v2.11 going forward.
RMI releases EMRT 2.11 expanding scope to include Copper, Natural Graphite, Lithium, and Nickel
The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) released Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) version 2.11 on April 17, 2026 as part of a coordinated update to its responsible minerals reporting templates (alongside CMRT 6.6 and AMRT 1.31). EMRT 2.11 expands scope beyond Cobalt and Mica to also cover Copper, Natural Graphite, Lithium, and Nickel — aligning with evolving requirements such as the EU Battery Regulation and other battery- and energy-storage-related due diligence frameworks. Compliance teams should update intake/validation tooling, supplier instructions, and version controls to v2.11 to avoid mismatched/modified templates and align with the current RMI-referenced processor list resources.
RMI publishes EMRT Completion Guide for EMRT v2.11 (updates guidance on Declaration Questions 5 & E and smelter list inputs)
RMI released an updated EMRT Completion Guide on April 17, 2026 aligned to EMRT v2.11. The guide’s revision history notes added/updated guidance for answering Declaration Questions 5 and E and updated guidance for Smelter List input. Compliance teams should update internal work instructions and supplier training/validation procedures to align with the revised completion guidance, especially for declaration responses and smelter/processor data entry expectations.
RMI states latest Mineral Reporting Template (MRT) suite versions (including CMRT) were released on 17 Apr 2026
RMI’s official MRT Introduction page states that the latest versions of the Mineral Reporting Templates (MRTs)—including the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT)—were released on April 17, 2026. This is compliance-relevant because CMRT is the de facto industry-standard reporting template used to collect and exchange 3TG due-diligence data across supply chains (supporting downstream regulatory reporting programs such as SEC Form SD). Compliance teams should confirm supplier outreach, internal SOPs, and validation tooling reference the current CMRT release and use the corresponding RMI smelter/reference list resources linked from the MRT pages.
RMI releases EMRT template v2.11 and recommends it for the reporting year
Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) released Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) version 2.11 (release date stated as April 17, 2026) and recommends companies use this version for the reporting year. This is an operational compliance update for supply-chain due diligence programs that require EMRT submissions: companies should update internal SOPs, supplier instructions, and any portal/import validations to the v2.11 file. RMI also reiterates template control expectations (e.g., it does not recognize modified versions not developed via its consensus process), which is relevant for governance and auditability of supplier submissions.
RMI releases EMRT v2.11 and recommends its use for the reporting year
RMI’s official EMRT page indicates EMRT version 2.11 was released on April 17, 2026 and states that RMI recommends using EMRT v2.11 for the reporting year. This is a compliance-relevant template update for organizations using EMRT as their standard supplier data-collection format for extended minerals due diligence; companies may need to update internal intake/validation tooling, supplier instructions, and version controls to avoid mismatched/modified templates and to align with the current RMI-referenced processor list resources.
RMI EMRT page states next EMRT version is anticipated to be released in Spring 2027
RMI’s official EMRT page indicates the next version of the EMRT is anticipated in Spring 2027. This is a forward-looking lifecycle/timeline signal (not a binding requirement), useful for planning supplier communications, internal tool updates, and change-control calendars around the expected annual template refresh.
EPA launches PFAS OUT initiative to proactively engage drinking-water systems on PFOA/PFOS exposure reduction
EPA announced the launch of the PFAS OUTreach (PFAS OUT) initiative to proactively work with drinking water systems to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS ahead of federal compliance timelines. While not a new binding requirement, this is an implementation-support and compliance-readiness signal that may affect expectations for utilities’ planning, monitoring, and risk-reduction actions under SDWA PFAS standards.
RMI releases EMRT v2.11 (released April 17, 2026) and recommends it for the reporting year
The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) published Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) version 2.11 and indicates it is the recommended template for the reporting year. Compliance teams should update supplier survey requests, internal SOPs, and any automated validation/ingestion rules to require EMRT v2.11 (and avoid acceptance of modified/non-standard template variants that may be rejected by customers or internal programs).
EPA updates TSCA PFAS Section 8(a)(7) reporting deadline information (reporting start tied to future rule revision effective date)
EPA posted an update to its TSCA PFAS Section 8(a)(7) reporting rule deadline information stating that the start of the PFAS reporting period is no longer April 13, 2026, and will instead begin 60 days following the effective date of EPA’s forthcoming revision to the PFAS 8(a)(7) rule. This affects planning for entities subject to the one-time PFAS reporting/recordkeeping requirement (including manufacturers and importers within the rule’s scope years).
ECHA Restriction Intentions Registry updates PFAS restriction entry to 'Opinion development' (latest update 16 Apr 2026)
ECHA’s Registry of restriction intentions until outcome shows the EU-wide REACH restriction proposal for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as being in the “Opinion development” stage, with a latest update date of 16 April 2026. While this is not a binding restriction or a new consultation by itself, it is an official status update indicating the restriction dossier continues progressing through RAC/SEAC opinion development. Compliance teams tracking potential EU-wide PFAS manufacturing/placing-on-market/use restrictions should treat this as a process milestone confirming ongoing committee evaluation and maintain horizon-scanning for forthcoming opinions and consultations.
ECHA Registry updates EU-wide PFAS REACH restriction file status (opinion development)
ECHA’s Registry of restriction intentions indicates the EU-wide PFAS restriction dossier (REACH restriction process) remains in “opinion development,” with a latest update shown as 16 April 2026. This is not a final restriction, but it is an official process/status update that compliance teams can use to monitor progress toward RAC/SEAC opinions and subsequent European Commission decision-making, and to plan engagement for any upcoming consultations and evidence submission needs (uses, alternatives, socio-economic impacts).
ECHA restriction intentions registry shows PFAS restriction in 'Opinion development' (registry update 16 Apr 2026)
ECHA’s official Registry of restriction intentions until outcome shows the EU-wide PFAS REACH restriction entry in 'Opinion development' status, with the registry reflecting a latest update date of 16-Apr-2026. This is not an adopted restriction, but it is an authoritative process/status signal that the dossier has progressed into the committee opinion-development phase and is useful for compliance teams monitoring expected timelines and upcoming milestones under the proposed universal PFAS restriction.
EPA launches PFAS OUT initiative to support drinking water systems’ PFAS rule implementation
EPA announced the launch of its PFAS OUT (PFAS OUTreach) initiative to provide assistance/outreach intended to help drinking water systems proactively address PFAS contamination and support implementation planning for federal PFAS drinking water requirements. For compliance teams at public water systems and supporting contractors, this signals increased federal engagement and availability of implementation resources (e.g., technical assistance, planning support) but does not itself create new binding limits.