All regulatory updates
1361 results found
Commission proposes implementing regulation for Digital Product Passport registry operation
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation establishes operational rules for the EU Central Digital Product Passport Registry under ESPR Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The regulation sets registry launch provisions, introduces 'verified economic operator' status requirements, and mandates secure electronic identification aligned with EU eIDAS rules. Once adopted, products cannot be placed on the EU market without valid DPP registration. Non-EU manufacturers must ensure systems align with EU importer obligations.
European Commission opens consultation on draft delegated act to add additional product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission (DG ENV) launched a public consultation on a delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to expand the list of product categories exempted from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by end-users (instead allowing removal by independent professionals). If adopted, this would affect product design/repairability and compliance documentation for the newly covered product categories, potentially reducing consumer-removability obligations for those products while still requiring professional removability.
Commission opens public consultation on delegated act to expand exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on draft delegated rules that would add additional product categories to the exemption list from the EU Battery Regulation’s general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. Where exempted, batteries would generally need to be removable/replaceable by independent professionals instead. The consultation is relevant for product design, repairability, and technical documentation strategies for affected product categories (e.g., wearables, electric toys, ATEX-scope equipment). Stakeholders should review whether their products may fall within the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback via the Commission consultation portal before the consultation closes (deadline referenced in the Commission materials: 26 May 2026).
Commission opens consultation on proposed battery removability exemptions
The European Commission is seeking stakeholder views on a proposed Delegated Act that would add six new product categories to the list of exemptions from portable battery removability and replaceability requirements under Article 11 of the EU Batteries Regulation. Proposed exemptions include wearable devices (smartwatches and fitness trackers), electric toys, and products within the scope of the ATEX Directive (equipment for explosive atmospheres such as explosion-proof motors, sensors, pumps, and forklift trucks). Under the Regulation, portable batteries must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers; exempted products only require removability by independent professionals. Comments are due by May 26, 2026.
European Commission opens consultation on delegated act to add additional product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission opened a public consultation on draft rules (planned as a delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) to add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. The Commission also signaled it intends to update existing removability/replaceability guidelines to reflect the new derogations. Compliance teams should assess whether their product portfolio may qualify for (or be affected by) the proposed exemptions and consider submitting feedback during the consultation period.
European Commission opens public consultation on draft delegated act to add exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to add additional product categories to the list exempted from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by end-users. The consultation references examples such as wearable devices, electric toys, and certain equipment within scope of the ATEX Directive. If adopted, these exemptions would affect product design/engineering choices and repairability obligations for products containing portable batteries, and may influence related end-of-life handling expectations. Consultation closes 26 May 2026.
CARB proposes amendments to Mandatory Reporting of GHG Emissions
CARB has proposed amendments to the Regulation for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The proposed amendments target revisions to clarify how entities report GHG emissions to support the Cap-and-Invest Program, ensure data accuracy, expand program applicability, and incorporate new fuel pathways and technologies.
European Commission opens public consultation on delegated act to add product exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 that would add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries incorporated into products be removable and replaceable by consumers. If adopted, products in the newly exempted categories could shift from consumer removability/replaceability to professional-only removal/replaceability, impacting product design choices, user instructions, technical documentation and conformity strategies for manufacturers and importers. The Commission’s consultation also signals that related removability/replaceability guidance may be updated to reflect any new derogations. Feedback is requested by 26 May 2026 (deadline referenced in the research text).
European Commission opens consultation on delegated act to expand exemptions from portable battery removability/replaceability requirements
The European Commission opened a stakeholder consultation on a draft delegated act under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to add additional product categories to the list of exemptions from the general requirement that portable batteries be removable and replaceable by consumers. The draft would allow certain exempted products (e.g., some wearables, electric toys, and certain ATEX-related products) to require removability/replaceability by independent professionals instead. The consultation signals a potential future change to product design/compliance strategy for manufacturers placing covered products on the EU market and may be accompanied by updates to existing Commission guidelines on removability/replaceability.
S. 4393 proposes BABA implementation annual reporting requirements
Senators Baldwin and Banks introduced S. 4393, which would require the head of each federal agency to submit annual reports to the Made in America Office and Congress on Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) implementation. The reports must identify each federal financial assistance program for infrastructure that has and has not fully implemented Buy America preference requirements. If enacted, this legislation would enhance accountability and transparency in BABA compliance across federal infrastructure programs, creating new reporting obligations for all agencies administering BABA-covered financial assistance.
EPA issues project-specific BABA nonavailability waiver decision memo for point-of-use reverse osmosis treatment units (City of Iuka, KS)
EPA posted an approved, project-specific nonavailability waiver under BABA for a drinking water project (City of Iuka, Kansas). The decision memo documents EPA’s determination that compliant domestic products were not available to meet project technical specifications, allowing procurement/use of non-BABA-compliant point-of-use reverse osmosis treatment units for that project only. Compliance teams supporting EPA-funded water infrastructure should track this waiver as it illustrates required waiver justification elements and reinforces that such waivers are limited in scope to the named project and timeframe stated in the decision memo.
EPA proposes TSCA Section 5 Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for certain chemical substances (26-2); comments due May 26, 2026
EPA published a proposed rule to establish Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for certain chemical substances (SNUR batch 26-2). If finalized, manufacturers and processors would be required to submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) at least 90 days before commencing any activity designated as a significant new use (generally, activities not consistent with protective measures in underlying TSCA §5 orders). Compliance teams should determine whether any portfolio substances or planned uses could be affected and consider submitting comments by the stated deadline.
EPA issues final SNURs on certain chemical substances (26-2)
EPA published final Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) under TSCA Section 5 for a set of chemical substances (SNUR batch “26-2”). Companies that manufacture, import, or process any of the covered substances must evaluate whether their activities constitute a “significant new use” and, if so, submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) before commencing that use. Compliance teams should identify whether any covered substances appear in products, intermediates, or R&D pipelines and update new-chemical/SNUR screening processes accordingly.
EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) Batch 26-2
EPA proposed Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for chemical substances subject to premanufacture notices (PMNs) P-25-73, P-25-152, P-25-137, and P-25-151. The SNURs require 90-day notification (SNUN) to EPA before manufacturing or processing for significant new uses. EPA identified concerns for carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, specific target organ toxicity, and dermal/respiratory sensitization. Estimated cost per SNUN submission is $45,496.
EPA issues proposed TSCA SNURs for certain chemical substances (26–2); comments due May 26, 2026
EPA issued a proposed rule to add Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for certain chemical substances subject to TSCA consent orders. The proposal would require companies to submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) at least 90 days before manufacturing or processing for a designated significant new use. Compliance teams should identify whether any affected substances are in their portfolios and consider commenting by the deadline; if finalized, SNUN planning/lead times and use restrictions may affect R&D, scale-up, importing, and downstream customer applications.
EPA extends certain compliance dates for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) TSCA Section 6 rules (proposal)
EPA announced a proposal to extend certain compliance dates in the final TSCA Section 6 risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) while EPA works to revise these rules. Compliance teams should note EPA’s statement that existing deadlines remain in effect unless/until changed through rulemaking; organizations subject to the PCE/CTC prohibitions and related downstream requirements should monitor the forthcoming Federal Register publication and comment period details referenced by EPA and prepare for potential updated phase-in timelines if the proposal is finalized.
RMI FAQ clarifies companies generally do not need to re-survey suppliers solely because a new CMRT is released in April
RMI published/maintains official downstream FAQ guidance stating that when RMI releases a new CMRT in April, companies generally should not re-survey suppliers specifically to force use of the new version for the upcoming filing. RMI indicates the April CMRT update is intended for the next year’s filing cycle; companies should use the most recent version available at the time they initiate their annual supplier survey and clearly state which CMRT version was used/accepted. Compliance teams using CMRT for supplier data collection should align annual survey timing and version-control statements accordingly to avoid unnecessary rework and to maintain auditable documentation of the template version relied upon.
EPA updates interim guidance on destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials; opens comment period
EPA published an updated interim guidance document on the destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials. The update outlines disposal/destruction pathways EPA characterizes as having lower potential for PFAS release (e.g., certain underground injection control wells, hazardous waste landfills, and hazardous waste combustors under specified conditions) and signals EPA’s current recommended practices for waste management and remediation decision-making. EPA also opened a public comment opportunity, stating it will accept comments for 60 days following Federal Register publication. Compliance teams managing PFAS wastes (manufacturers, waste handlers, remediation project managers) should review the revised recommendations and track the associated docket/comment timeline.
POPRC.22 meeting overview published (Rome, 21–25 September 2026)
The Stockholm Convention published the meeting overview page for the twenty-second meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC.22), scheduled for 21–25 September 2026 in Rome. While not a binding legal amendment, publication of the official meeting page signals active review activity (including consideration of revised draft risk profiles) that can lead to future POP listing recommendations. Compliance teams may use this to anticipate upcoming scientific/regulatory evaluations and potential future controls.
EPA publishes 2026 Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS and PFAS‑containing materials
EPA published an updated 2026 version of its Interim Guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials. While non-binding, the guidance is a key compliance reference for organizations managing PFAS wastes/materials (e.g., AFFF, contaminated media, and water-treatment residuals) and discusses available destruction/disposal pathways and evaluation considerations. EPA indicates it will accept comments on the interim guidance (public-comment posture).