Electronics

Minnesota SF 1690 Second Engrossment on Battery and Electronics Stewardship Set for Senate Environment Committee Hearing

In April 2026, Minnesota’s SF 1690 reached second engrossment and is set for a Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee hearing, outlining a statewide producer‑funded stewardship programme for batteries, circuit boards and electrical products, alongside a 2029 ban on most mercury‑containing batteries.[^1^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=relating%20to%20environment%3B%20establishing%20stewardship%20program%20for%20circuit%20boards%2C) If enacted, battery and electronics manufacturers and importers serving Minnesota would need to join a stewardship organisation, fund a compliant collection network, redesign labelling and sales practices, and prepare for stricter waste‑management and mercury‑control obligations from 2027–2029 onward.[^3^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=Subd.%201.%20Due%20dates.)

10 Apr 2026, 13:15revisor.mn.govUnited States

Luxembourg Publishes Notice on EU RoHS Lead Exemptions Directive 2025/2364

Luxembourg has published an official notice linking its national RoHS regulation for electrical and electronic equipment to Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/2364, which tightens and re‑times lead‑in‑alloy exemptions for steel, aluminium and copper. Electronics manufacturers supplying Luxembourg should identify products using these leaded alloys and plan redesign or substitution ahead of the 2026–2027 exemption expiry dates to avoid RoHS non‑compliance and market‑access risk.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07eur-lex.europa.euLuxembourg

Minnesota Senate Committee to Hear SF 1690 on Electronics and Battery Stewardship and Mercury Battery Ban

Minnesota is advancing SF 1690, establishing a producer-funded stewardship program for electronics and batteries and banning mercury in most primary batteries by 2028. Impacted businesses must prepare for mandatory collective stewardship participation, full cost absorption for end-of-life management, and new product labeling and composition standards.

9 Apr 2026, 14:21revisor.mn.govUnited States

Malta MCCAA Webinar on Energy Labelling Rules for Smartphones and Tablets

Malta's MCCAA is intensifying enforcement outreach for EU energy labelling requirements on smartphones and tablets, which became mandatory in June 2025. Businesses must ensure compliant labelling across all sales channels, including digital platforms and advertising, to mitigate market surveillance risks.

9 Apr 2026, 09:53eur-lex.europa.euMalta

China Adds New XB/T and YS/T Industry Standards for Rare Earths, Non‑Ferrous Metals and Semiconductor Materials

China has formalized new XB/T and YS/T industry standards for rare earths, battery electrolytes, and semiconductor materials as of April 2026. Manufacturers and laboratories must update quality control protocols and analytical methods to ensure compliance with these standardized specifications for critical minerals and electronic components.

6 Apr 2026, 18:44hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

Minnesota Governor Proposes Manufacturer-Funded E-Waste Stewardship Program

Minnesota is proposing to replace its current electronics recycling statutes with a comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for e-waste. This shift will transfer full financial and operational responsibility for end-of-life electronics to manufacturers, requiring participation in a third-party stewardship organization and new funding obligations.

5 Apr 2026, 18:47lrl.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota Governor Proposes FY 2026–27 Budget Funding for Electronic and Battery Stewardship and Spill Response Changes

Minnesota's Governor has proposed FY 2026–27 supplemental funding to establish new electronic and battery stewardship programs and tighten emergency spill response statutes. This signals a strategic shift toward mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR), requiring manufacturers to prepare for potential new compliance and end-of-life management obligations.

5 Apr 2026, 18:44lrl.mn.govUnited States

EU Amends Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU With Emergency Procedures (Consolidated Text Applying From 30 May 2026)

The EU has updated the Low Voltage Directive to include emergency procedures for crisis-relevant electrical equipment, effective May 30, 2026. This framework enables rapid shifts in technical specifications and labeling requirements during market emergencies, necessitating more agile compliance and supply chain planning for critical electronics.

4 Apr 2026, 10:30eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Oregon Governor Signs HB 4060 On Fluorescent Lamp Ban Exemptions

Oregon has enacted HB 4060, granting temporary sales ban exemptions for fluorescent lamps to large-scale facilities and care homes until 2030. This provides a critical compliance buffer for manufacturers and distributors serving large commercial accounts while signaling a firm final deadline for the transition to LED alternatives.

4 Apr 2026, 10:28olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Iowa Senate Appropriations Committee To Consider Battery Stewardship Bill SF 545

Iowa is advancing legislation to establish a mandatory battery stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for portable and medium-format batteries. If enacted, manufacturers face significant take-back obligations and new labeling requirements by 2029, with market access contingent on approved stewardship plans starting in 2028.

3 Apr 2026, 18:29legis.iowa.govUnited States

Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Issues Serious Product Accident Notice On Long-Term Use Of Air Conditioner Outdoor Units And Recalled Electric Stoves

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has issued a serious accident notice highlighting fire risks from aging air conditioners and incomplete recalls of electric stoves. Manufacturers should prioritize post-market surveillance and recall effectiveness, as low completion rates and long-term product durability are under increased regulatory scrutiny.

2 Apr 2026, 08:57caa.go.jpJapan

UK Government Publishes Sector-Specific Guidance on UKCA and CE Product Marking

The UK government has issued consolidated guidance confirming the continued recognition of CE marking alongside UKCA for most product sectors in Great Britain. This provides regulatory stability for manufacturers, allowing for flexible market access while highlighting specific transition timelines for medical devices and construction products.

1 Apr 2026, 19:36gov.ukUnited KingdomEuropean Union

Great Britain Guidance on Placing UKCA or CE Marked Products on the Market

The UK government has issued consolidated guidance confirming the indefinite recognition of CE marking alongside UKCA for most manufactured goods in Great Britain. Manufacturers should utilize "Fast-Track UKCA" options to streamline market access while planning for the December 2027 transition when temporary labeling and importer information flexibilities end.

1 Apr 2026, 19:36gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California CalRecycle Schedules Workshop On Covered Electronic Waste Recovery And Recycling Payment Rates

CalRecycle is initiating its annual review of recovery and recycling payment rates for covered electronic waste, with a public workshop set for April 2026. Businesses should evaluate how these rate changes influence the financial sustainability of collection and recycling operations under California’s EPR-style framework.

1 Apr 2026, 19:06www2.calrecycle.ca.govUnited States

EU Commission Clarifies RoHS Exemptions Procedure and Timeframes

The European Commission has formalized RoHS exemption renewal procedures, mandating an 18-month lead time for applications and clarifying the 24-month decision cycle. Businesses must integrate these rigid administrative timelines into product lifecycle planning to mitigate the risk of sudden market access loss or forced substitution.

1 Apr 2026, 14:20environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Drafts Opinion Amending Product Directives (Including RoHS) on Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament is advancing amendments to digitalize compliance documentation across 13 major product directives, including RoHS, ATEX, and the Low Voltage Directive. This shift toward digital conformity data and harmonized technical specifications will require manufacturers to modernize product information systems and supply chain data management.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Clarifies Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Rules for Incomplete Refrigeration Cabinets

The European Commission clarified that ecodesign and energy labelling rules for refrigeration cabinets apply only upon final assembly or "putting into service." This interpretation shifts manufacturer-level compliance and conformity assessment obligations to installers or retailers who assemble incomplete units on-site.

31 Mar 2026, 19:25europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

US DOE Proposes Determination Not To Amend Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Standards

The US DOE proposed on March 31, 2026, to maintain existing energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts without further amendments. This decision provides regulatory stability for legacy lighting manufacturers as the market shifts toward LED technology, reflecting a policy focus on cost-effectiveness over marginal efficiency gains.

31 Mar 2026, 18:46public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

ICAO Amends Technical Instructions To Limit Power Banks And Ban In-Flight Recharging

ICAO has approved global restrictions on lithium power banks, including a two-unit passenger limit and a ban on in-flight recharging, effective March 2026. Manufacturers should update product guidance and marketing to reflect these safety-driven transport limitations, which impact the global portability of high-capacity consumer electronics.

29 Mar 2026, 17:14icao.intGlobal

Italy Adopts Legislative Decree No 30/2026 Implementing Directive (EU) 2024/825 on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition

Italy has formally adopted Legislative Decree No 30/2026, transposing the EU’s green transition consumer protection rules into national law. Companies must prepare for a September 2026 enforcement date by auditing marketing claims and enhancing product durability and reparability disclosures for the Italian market.

29 Mar 2026, 17:01eur-lex.europa.euItaly