Federal and State Chemical Regulatory Developments: January 2026 Overview
The article summarizes January 2026 regulatory and legislative developments in chemical management. Key updates include EPA's actions on pesticide fees, increased enforcement against illegal imports, risk evaluations for 1,3-butadiene and five phthalates under TSCA, and proposed drinking water regulations for perchlorate. FDA issued guidance on cosmetics recalls and a PFAS report. OSHA extended Hazard Communication Standard compliance, while Congress introduced bills addressing air quality and PFAS pollution, alongside international nanomaterials initiatives.
This comprehensive wrap-up details significant federal, state, and international chemical regulatory and legislative advancements in January 2026. The U.S. EPA was highly active, releasing annual pesticide maintenance fee materials, escalating its crackdown on toxic imports, and announcing a draft Pesticide Registration Notice 2026-NEW. Under TSCA, EPA published final risk evaluations for 1,3-butadiene and five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP, DIBP), committing to develop risk management rules for identified unreasonable risks. EPA also initiated the process for expiring confidential business information (CBI) claims and proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for perchlorate under the SDWA. Additionally, the agency proposed updates to Clean Water Act Section 401 regulations and withdrew a direct final rule for EPCRA reporting.The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalized amendments to reduce regulatory burdens on fuel transportation. The FDA rescheduled an expert panel on food allergies, issued draft guidance for mandatory cosmetics recalls, and published a report on PFAS in cosmetic products, mandated by MoCRA, highlighting significant data gaps for many compounds.Legislatively, several bills were introduced, including the Public Health Air Quality Act, the PROTECT Act to strengthen oversight of PFAS air pollution, and the Better Care for PFAS Patients Act, enhancing ATSDR's clinical guidance on PFAS health effects. California's OEHHA issued guidance on Proposition 65 warnings. Internationally, the OECD released reports on nano-object exposure metrics and safe and sustainable by design tools for nanomaterials, while ECHA surveyed nanomaterials in flame retardants. OSHA corrected and extended compliance dates for its Hazard Communication Standard, affecting chemical manufacturers and importers. The IRS also announced new chemicals under consideration for taxable substances.
