All regulatory updates
1479 results found
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a rule under TSCA Section 8(d) requiring manufacturers (including importers) of 16 chemical substances to submit unpublished studies on environmental effects and occupational, general population, and consumer exposure.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 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.
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.
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.
CARB Exercises Enforcement Discretion for Heavy-Duty Omnibus and Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations
On November 21, 2024, CARB exercised enforcement discretion for the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus and Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations. The action responds to concerns raised by upfitters, dealers, and tow truck fleets regarding their inability to purchase heavy-duty vehicles due to supply chain restrictions and insufficient compliant engine availability. This enforcement discretion provides temporary relief for affected entities while supply chain issues are resolved.
Vermont publishes Act 131 Working Group report on PFAS consumer products phaseout
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources published the Act 131 (S.25) PFAS in Consumer Products Report, developed by the Act 131 PFAS Working Group. The report provides recommendations for implementing and revising PFAS phase-outs in consumer products in Vermont. This report formed the basis for Act 54 (H.238) legislation. Compliance teams should reference this document for understanding the policy rationale and implementation approach for Vermont's PFAS product restrictions.
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).