All regulatory updates
718 results found
Draft Commission Implementing Decision proposes amending toy safety standardisation request (Implementing Decision C(2022) 7410) with revised deadlines and new work items
An official Commission document (draft/notification) proposes amendments to Implementing Decision C(2022) 7410 concerning the standardisation request for toy safety harmonised standards. The draft indicates planned changes including extending the overall request timeframe and CEN/CENELEC final reporting deadlines (e.g., to 30 June 2029) and adding/adjusting standardisation deliverables, such as work on microbiological safety for toys with accessible aqueous media (referenced as a new EN 71-20 deliverable in the draft) and updates to electric toy standard work (EN IEC 62115) addressing light/LED emission risks. For compliance teams, this signals forthcoming changes in the harmonised standards roadmap that will underpin presumption of conformity during the transition from the Directive regime and preparation for the new Regulation’s standards ecosystem; monitoring is warranted for adoption and subsequent OJ harmonisation citations.
EPA final rule implements statutory addition of certain PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) beginning Reporting Year 2026
EPA published a final rule implementing the statutory addition of certain PFAS to the TRI (EPCRA §313 / 40 CFR Part 372) for Reporting Year 2026. This affects TRI-covered facilities’ chemical tracking and reporting for PFAS, with reporting based on calendar year 2026 and submissions due in 2027 under normal TRI timelines. Compliance teams should confirm TRI applicability, update chemical inventories and internal tracking for newly added PFAS, and align supplier/customer communications as needed for TRI/SN reporting workflows.
EPA final rule published Feb 27, 2026 implements statutory addition of PFAS to TRI (EPCRA §313) (effective Mar 30, 2026)
EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register implementing the statutory addition of certain PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under EPCRA §313 (40 CFR Part 372). This final rule (FR doc. 2026-03944) sets the regulatory text updates and an effective date of March 30, 2026, impacting TRI reporting obligations for covered facilities for Reporting Year 2026 and beyond (including tracking and potential supplier notification responsibilities tied to TRI-listed PFAS chemicals of special concern).
CARB Executive Order W-26-047 re-approves SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Ltd. (SGS-China) as a Third-Party Certifier (TPC-47) under 17 CCR §93120.4
CARB issued Executive Order W-26-047 re-approving SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Company, Limited (SGS-China) as a CARB-approved Third-Party Certifier (TPC-47) under 17 CCR §93120.4 for certification supporting compliance with the Composite Wood Products Formaldehyde ATCM (17 CCR §§93120–93120.12), covering hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard. The EO supersedes EO W-24-047 and sets administrative/operational conditions (including subcontractor controls, inter-laboratory study participation requirements for subcontract labs, notification duties regarding accreditation/certification status changes, recordkeeping, and annual reporting due on/before March 1). This affects which certifiers manufacturers may use to satisfy ATCM certification obligations.
CARB approves initial implementing regulation package for SB 253/SB 261 (includes SB 261 program administration/fees context while enforcement remains enjoined)
CARB approved/adopted the initial implementing regulation package for California’s corporate climate disclosure laws (SB 253/SB 261). The board materials and CARB news release indicate the initial regulation establishes administrative program elements (including fee-related administration/implementation concepts and related definitions) and acknowledges SB 261 reporting remains voluntary because CARB is not enforcing Health & Safety Code §38533 while a Ninth Circuit injunction is in place. Compliance teams should track the adopted implementing regulation package because it operationalizes CARB’s program administration and may affect covered-entity readiness and budgeting (fees), even though SB 261 enforcement is paused.
ECHA plans public consultation on PFAS SEAC draft opinion after March 2026 meeting (60-day consultation)
ECHA announced procedural next steps for the proposed EU-wide REACH restriction on PFAS, stating it plans to launch a 60-day public consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion after the committee meeting in March 2026 (i.e., planned for spring 2026). Compliance teams should anticipate an upcoming consultation window and prepare to submit evidence on uses, socio-economic impacts, and substitution timelines relevant to their PFAS-related products and supply chains.
CDC/NIOSH updates OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert on silica exposure during countertop manufacturing/finishing/installation (NIOSH Pub. 2026-101), superseding NIOSH 2015-106
CDC/NIOSH issued an updated joint OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert addressing worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica during countertop manufacturing, finishing, and installation. The guidance explicitly states it supersedes NIOSH Publication 2015-106 and provides updated recommended controls and program measures intended to help employers keep exposures below OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL). This update is compliance-relevant for EHS teams managing silica exposure controls, respiratory protection, and work practice requirements in stone countertop operations.
Illinois HB4796 introduced to require Illinois DHS rescheduling within 30 days when a DEA Schedule I substance is rescheduled for mental health treatment purposes
HB4796 (104th General Assembly) is a proposed amendment affecting 720 ILCS 570/201 that would require the Illinois Department of Human Services to reschedule a substance within 30 days after publication of a Federal Register final order if the DEA reschedules a Schedule I substance for mental health treatment purposes. If enacted, this could accelerate state controlled-substance scheduling alignment in Illinois following federal rescheduling actions, with downstream impacts for healthcare providers, dispensing controls, and compliance policies around newly rescheduled therapies.
ECHA notes PFHxA, its salts and related substances REACH restriction starts in April 2026
ECHA’s PFAS hot-topics page highlights an upcoming compliance horizon: restrictions for undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances will start applying in April 2026 in the EU/EEA. Compliance teams should use this as a planning trigger to review product portfolios and supply chains for PFHxA-related substances and ensure readiness for EU restriction applicability, including substitution, supplier declarations, and potential reformulation timelines. (The research text does not provide a specific day in April 2026, so no implementation date is recorded.)
EPA issues enforcement order addressing unauthorized release of PFAS-containing foam into Maine waters
EPA issued an enforcement order in response to an unauthorized release of PFAS-containing firefighting foam into Maine waters. Compliance teams should review incident response and release-prevention controls for AFFF/PFAS-containing foams, verify authorization/permit conditions for discharges, and ensure documentation and corrective actions align with EPA order requirements (including potential reporting, cleanup, and future use restrictions).
OSHA/NIOSH jointly updated Hazard Alert on worker exposure to silica during countertop manufacturing, finishing, and installation (NIOSH Pub. 2026-101), superseding 2015-106
NIOSH and OSHA jointly issued an updated Hazard Alert (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2026-101) addressing respirable crystalline silica exposure risks during stone countertop manufacturing/fabrication/finishing/installation. The publication explicitly supersedes NIOSH Pub. 2015-106 and reiterates OSHA-aligned prevention expectations (e.g., engineering/work practice controls, limiting dry cutting/cleaning practices, respiratory protection program considerations, and medical surveillance trigger summaries under OSHA silica standards). Compliance teams should review and align internal EHS procedures, training content, and exposure-control practices for countertop operations with the updated Hazard Alert recommendations and referenced OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.1053 and 29 CFR 1926.1153).
CDC/NIOSH updates OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert on silica exposure during countertop manufacturing, finishing, and installation (supersedes 2015-106)
CDC/NIOSH updated the joint OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert titled “Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation” (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2026-101; OSHA HA-3768-2026). The updated hazard alert (last reviewed Feb 26, 2026) supersedes NIOSH Publication 2015-106 and provides current guidance intended to help employers and safety teams manage silica exposure risks in countertop fabrication and installation activities (e.g., engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection and program elements). While not a binding rule, it is authoritative NIOSH guidance often used by EHS programs to benchmark controls and training expectations.
Register of Specific Exemptions page details PFOA-related specific exemption entry and review milestones (e.g., review by 31 Dec 2026)
The Stockholm Convention Register of Specific Exemptions page for PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds includes an exemption entry (noted in the research as for the European Union) describing a specific allowed use and setting review/assessment milestones including a review by 31 December 2026 (and periodic reviews thereafter). For compliance teams, this provides authoritative confirmation of the existence and review timing of a time-bound treaty exemption that may be relied upon by eligible Parties for the specified use while planning phase-out and future review submissions.
ECHA notes REACH restriction for PFHxA, its salts and related substances starts in April 2026
ECHA’s PFAS hot-topics page indicates that undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances are subject to REACH restrictions starting in April 2026 (referenced as an already adopted restriction with a future start date). Compliance teams supplying or using PFHxA-related substances in the EU/EEA should confirm applicability, assess product/mixture impacts, and plan substitution or supply-chain controls ahead of the April 2026 restriction start date; however, the specific day in April is not provided in the extracted research text.
USTR Federal Register notice requests public comments on plurilateral critical minerals trade agreement (adjacent impact for CMRT supply chains)
USTR published a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on a potential plurilateral agreement addressing trade in critical minerals. While this is not a CMRT template or SEC Form SD rule change, it is directly adjacent to conflict minerals/CMRT programs because it may affect critical minerals supply chain expectations, sourcing constraints, and due diligence evidence used across mineral supply chains. The notice includes a comment deadline of March 19, 2026.
CARB approves initial regulation package supporting SB 261/SB 253 program administration and fees; reiterates SB 261 reporting is voluntary due to court order
CARB announced approval/adoption of an initial regulation package for California’s corporate climate disclosure programs (SB 253 and SB 261) that establishes administrative/implementation fee structures and related program definitions. Although the fee regulation is program-wide, it is directly relevant to SB 261 because it supports administration of the SB 261 disclosure program and CARB reiterates that, pursuant to a court order, CARB is not enforcing SB 261 and reporting is voluntary at this time. Compliance teams should account for CARB’s movement on program administration and budgeting (fees) while tracking the injunction’s effect on SB 261 enforcement and any subsequent implementation updates.
Stockholm Convention Compliance Committee launches 2026–2027 information-collection questionnaires (deadline 2 March 2026)
The Stockholm Convention Compliance Committee initiated an information-collection exercise under its 2026–2027 work programme (referencing decision SC-12/22) by publishing questionnaires for Parties and for supporting entities, with responses due by 2 March 2026. Compliance teams at Parties (and relevant supporting organizations) should plan resources to complete and submit the requested information by the stated deadline, as inputs may inform compliance-related consideration under the Convention’s mechanisms.
EU Commission closes its proposal to nominate siloxanes D4, D5 and D6 under the Stockholm Convention
The European Commission’s international agreements page indicates the Commission decided to close its proposal to nominate octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) for listing under the Stockholm Convention. For compliance and horizon-scanning teams, this signals that this specific EU-driven nomination pathway has been halted, potentially changing expectations/timelines for any future Stockholm Convention consideration of these substances via that route.
Stockholm Convention COP-12 documents hub published: decisions adopted at the twelfth meeting available via CHM COP Decisions page
The Stockholm Convention CHM COP Decisions page is identified in the research as the official landing page to retrieve COP-12 outputs, including the report and the decisions adopted at the twelfth meeting (advance versions). For compliance teams, this page is an authoritative entry point for tracking adopted COP decisions that may include new listings, exemptions, technical guidance mandates, or compliance mechanisms requiring future implementation by Parties.
EU Commission notes Stockholm Convention COPs (2025) listed chlorpyrifos, MCCPs and long-chain PFCAs as POPs
The European Commission’s international agreements page states that Parties, at the 2025 Basel/Rotterdam/Stockholm COPs, added three hazardous chemicals to the Stockholm Convention (chlorpyrifos; medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs); long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs), their salts and related compounds). For compliance teams, this is a confirmation of new global POP listings that can trigger downstream national/regional implementing measures and updates to restricted substance lists, supply-chain declarations, and product stewardship programs in Parties to the Convention.