Copper and its Compounds

France: Melun Administrative Court Partially Suspends ANSES Decisions on Copper Hydroxide Fungicides for Vines

In March 2026 the Melun Administrative Court temporarily suspended four ANSES decisions that had refused or limited authorisations for copper hydroxide fungicides used in French viticulture. The ruling preserves short-term access to key copper products while forcing ANSES to re-examine vine-use risks within two months, potentially reshaping future pesticide options and compliance obligations for vineyard operators and suppliers.

18 May 2026, 08:07melun.tribunal-administratif.frFrance

EU ICCG Publishes 24 April 2026 Minutes on SCCS–ECHA Transition and SCCS Call

The European Commission has published minutes from the 24 April 2026 ICCG meeting between SCCS and SCHEER, highlighting the planned transition of SCCS work to ECHA, the closure of SCHEER, ongoing opinions on copper EQS and chemical mixtures, and an SCCS membership call closing on 31 May 2026. These minutes signal medium-term changes in how EU scientific advice on consumer safety, cosmetics, nanomaterials and water quality will be organised, helping companies anticipate where future opinions and regulatory priorities may shift.

4 May 2026, 19:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Amends MRLs for Copper Compounds Under Regulation 396/2005

The European Commission has prepared a regulation amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to revise maximum residue levels for copper compounds in certain products. These changes will reset the legal limits for copper residues in affected product categories, so food and crop producers and copper-based pesticide suppliers will need to check the final Official Journal text and adjust compliance plans once the new values and application dates are confirmed.

21 Apr 2026, 14:00ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU SCHEER 13th Plenary Minutes Highlight Chemical Mixtures, Copper EQS and Emerging Risks

SCHEER’s 13th plenary minutes from March 2026 outline progress on opinions and working-group mandates covering chemical mixtures, copper water-quality standards, emerging risks, and brain stimulator safety. These scientific signals foreshadow future EU changes to how combined chemical exposures and copper in water are assessed, so compliance teams should monitor subsequent SCHEER/EFSA outputs and legislative follow-up rather than take immediate action.

14 Apr 2026, 14:28ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Alaska DEC Adopts Performance-Based Site-Specific Approach for Copper Effluent Limits (18 AAC 70 & 18 AAC 235)

Alaska has finalized a performance-based framework for site-specific copper water quality criteria and effluent limits, effective May 2026. Industrial operators with copper-bearing discharges can now leverage site-specific data to optimize permit limits, requiring enhanced water quality monitoring and technical justification.

10 Apr 2026, 10:50aws.state.ak.usUnited States

Washington State Board Of Health Final Agenda Sets Delegated Rulemaking Item On Lead And Copper Rule Improvements (Chapter 246-290 WAC)

Washington state is initiating rulemaking to align state drinking water standards with the 2024 federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. Regulated entities should prepare for more stringent monitoring, mandatory service line inventories, and lower lead action levels as state-level implementation begins.

9 Apr 2026, 09:56sboh.wa.govUnited States

ECHA Opens Call for Evidence on Occupational Exposure Limits for Copper and Its Inorganic Compounds

ECHA has launched a call for evidence to evaluate new occupational exposure limits for copper and its inorganic compounds with submissions due by July 2026. This initiative signals a likely tightening of workplace safety standards requiring copper-intensive industries to review exposure data and prepare for potential operational compliance shifts.

8 Apr 2026, 16:49echa.europa.euEuropean Union

New York Senate Bill S9698 Proposes Ban on Vessel Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems

New York Senate Bill S9698 proposes a total ban on the sale and operation of vessel exhaust gas cleaning systems within state waters, effective 90 days post-enactment. Operators must transition to low-sulfur fuels to mitigate significant liability risks and potential criminal penalties for prohibited environmental discharges.

6 Apr 2026, 16:52nysenate.govUnited States

ECHA Starts OEL Dossier Preparation For Bisphenols, Copper, Lithium, Naphthalene And Toluene

ECHA has launched the preparation of scientific dossiers to establish or update Occupational Exposure Limits for bisphenols, copper, lithium, naphthalene, and toluene. This signals a move toward stricter workplace exposure controls, requiring manufacturers to audit current monitoring data and assess the feasibility of tighter binding limit values.

6 Apr 2026, 16:10echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Uzbekistan Cabinet Amends Copper Deep-Processing Enterprise Register Rules

Uzbekistan has tightened access to copper raw materials by requiring deep-processing enterprises to maintain a minimum technical score and adhere to strict quarterly reporting. Companies must ensure robust operational data tracking and technical compliance to avoid being delisted from the national commodity exchange and losing critical supply channels.

5 Apr 2026, 19:40lex.uzUzbekistan

EU ECHA Opens OEL Consultation on Lithium Salts and Call for Evidence on Multiple Substances

ECHA has initiated consultations on new occupational exposure limits for lithium salts and is evaluating the inclusion of endocrine disruptors under EU worker protection directives. Businesses should anticipate more stringent workplace exposure controls and a potential expansion of the CMRD scope, necessitating early assessment of operational impacts and substance management strategies.

5 Apr 2026, 06:18echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Amends Nitrates Directive To Allow Extra Nitrogen From Processed Manure Fertilisers

The EU has amended the Nitrates Directive to permit higher nitrogen application limits for specific processed manure fertilisers starting March 2026. While offering market expansion for circular fertilisers, the move imposes strict new quality-control, heavy metal, and pathogen standards that require rigorous compliance and testing.

4 Apr 2026, 11:53eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Wisconsin DNR Sets Hearing on Proposed Aquatic Plant Management Rule WY-20-23

Wisconsin is proposing a consolidated aquatic plant management framework that introduces stricter chemical application limits and integrated pest management requirements by 2028. Operators must adapt to mandatory copper sulfate application caps, increased permit fees, and enhanced public notification protocols for water treatment activities.

31 Mar 2026, 18:37dnr.wisconsin.govUnited States

France Adopts Arrêté AGRG2608132A Granting Temporary Derogation For Unmanned Aerial Spraying In Aude, Gard, Hérault And Pyrénées-Orientales

France has authorized emergency drone-based fungicide application in flood-impacted regions through April 2026. This signals a pragmatic shift toward technology-enabled emergency response in agriculture, requiring strict adherence to operational drift controls and safety buffer zones.

29 Mar 2026, 06:22legifrance.gouv.frFrance

Washington State Board Of Health Draft Agenda For 8 April 2026 Meeting Highlights Possible Actions On Newborn Screening, Notifiable Conditions And Lead And Copper Rule Improvements

The Washington State Board of Health will convene on April 8, 2026, to advance rulemaking on lead and copper drinking water standards and public health reporting protocols. Regulated water systems and healthcare providers should anticipate more stringent heavy metal limits and revised notification obligations for communicable diseases.

27 Mar 2026, 20:34sboh.wa.govUnited States

Switzerland FSVO General Order Authorises Temporary Import of Treated Oilseed Pumpkin Seeds

Switzerland has granted a temporary derogation allowing the import of oilseed pumpkin seeds treated with specific fungicides through December 2026. Businesses must implement rigorous labeling and handling protocols to comply with strict safety and environmental conditions attached to this market access.

27 Mar 2026, 20:02fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland

Chile – Antofagasta Court of Appeals Temporarily Reinstates Dominga Project Environmental Permit

Chile's Antofagasta Court of Appeals has temporarily reinstated the environmental permit for the $2.5B Dominga mining project pending a final Supreme Court ruling. This development underscores persistent legal and ESG volatility for large-scale extractive investments in Chile, requiring firms to manage significant judicial and operational uncertainty.

26 Mar 2026, 19:04mining.comChile

Great Britain Updates Designated Standards for Pressure Equipment

Great Britain updated the designated standards for pressure equipment in March 2026, introducing new editions for components including valves, tubes, and flanges. Manufacturers must transition to these revised standards by July 2026 or July 2027 to maintain the presumption of conformity and ensure continued market access.

26 Mar 2026, 12:14assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California Water Board Seeks Comment On Metropolitan Water District Aquatic Pesticide Plan Under Order 2016-0041-DWQ

California is seeking public comment on a major water district's plan to deploy copper, sodium hypochlorite, and biopesticides for invasive species control across critical water infrastructure. This approval process establishes operational precedents for chemical discharge limits and monitoring requirements that may impact regional water quality compliance and pesticide market access.

26 Mar 2026, 12:13waterboards.ca.govUnited States

European Commission Delivers Comments on German TRIS Notification 2025/0232/DE on Metal Materials in Contact With Drinking Water

The European Commission has issued comments on Germany's updated technical standards for metal materials in contact with drinking water. This development facilitates the use of new copper alloy grades in construction products while reinforcing EU-level scrutiny of national safety and hygiene requirements.

25 Mar 2026, 21:28technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionGermany