Heavy Metals

New York Senate Proposes Healthy and Green Procurement Act (S09743)

New York has introduced Senate bill S09743, the **"New York state healthy and green procurement act"**, to hard‑wire life‑cycle environmental and health criteria into state purchasing decisions and steer demand away from priority toxic substances and high‑impact products.[^1^](https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S09743&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Summary) If enacted, suppliers to New York state agencies will increasingly need to demonstrate recycled content, energy efficiency, green‑building compatibility and reduced use of substances such as PFAS, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, mercury, lead, dioxins and PVC in order to remain eligible for state contracts.[^3^](https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S09743&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Text)

10 Apr 2026, 10:44assembly.state.ny.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 (LCRI). Regulated entities should anticipate more stringent monitoring, service line inventory mandates, and lower lead action levels as state-level implementation begins.

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

US JPML Denies MDL Centralisation for Huel Heavy-Metal Protein Powder Litigation (1:25-F-03177)

The US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the centralization of class-action lawsuits alleging heavy metal contamination in Huel protein products in April 2026. This procedural ruling forces manufacturers to manage fragmented litigation across multiple jurisdictions, highlighting the escalating legal and reputational risks associated with trace chemical contaminants in consumer health goods.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52govinfo.govUnited States

Chinese Taipei Drafts Amendment to Dry Cell Battery Restrictions to Tighten Mercury Limits

Taiwan is proposing to tighten mercury limits for button cell batteries to ≤ 1 ppm and expand the scope of regulated dry cell batteries to include zinc-air button cells by July 2026. Manufacturers and importers must prepare for the invalidation of existing mercury confirmation documents and ensure new product certifications meet the stricter thresholds to maintain market access.

9 Apr 2026, 09:51members.wto.orgTaiwan

Rwanda — Draft Standard DRS 635:2026 Fish Feed Premix — Specification

Rwanda has proposed draft standard DRS 635:2026, introducing mandatory compositional, contaminant, and labeling requirements for fish feed premixes. Manufacturers must prepare for rigorous heavy metal and microbiological testing to ensure compliance and maintain market access for aquaculture inputs.

5 Apr 2026, 18:41members.wto.orgRwanda

Estonian Health Board To Conduct 2026 Hazardous Mixtures Checks and Flags Unsafe Tattoo Pigments

The Estonian Health Board has announced targeted 2026 enforcement inspections for hazardous mixtures and reported high non-compliance rates for tattoo pigments under REACH and CLP regulations. Companies should prepare for increased market surveillance of consumer chemical products and ensure strict adherence to REACH Annex XVII restriction limits to avoid Safety Gate (RAPEX) notifications and product withdrawals.

5 Apr 2026, 05:29terviseamet.eeEstoniaEuropean Union

EU REACH Committee Issues Positive Opinions on Chromium Trioxide Authorisations and Reviews Annex XVII Restrictions (25–26 February 2026)

The EU REACH Committee has advanced restrictions on lead and CMR substances while granting several chromium trioxide authorisations for automotive and sanitary applications. Companies should prepare for finalized restriction scopes and transitional periods in 2026, alongside a strategic shift toward broader sectoral management of hexavalent chromium.

5 Apr 2026, 05:15ec.europa.euEuropean Union

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

EU Directive 2026/288, effective March 2026, permits Member States to increase nitrogen application limits for specific processed manure fertilisers (RENURE) beyond the standard 170 kg/ha threshold. This shift supports circular economy goals but mandates strict quality-control, heavy metal, and pathogen standards, requiring producers to implement rigorous testing and documentation to access the expanded market.

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

Great Britain Publishes Guidance on UK REACH Lead Ammunition Restriction at Outdoor Shooting Ranges

UK REACH restrictions on lead ammunition at outdoor shooting ranges entered into force on April 1, 2026, with phased bans on lead shot and projectiles starting in 2028. Range operators and ammunition suppliers must implement mandatory risk-reduction measures and site reporting to secure derogations or transition to lead-free alternatives by 2029.

4 Apr 2026, 10:59gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Climate Minister Explains Tata Steel Joint Letter of Intent and Planned Emissions Reductions

The Dutch government has clarified the framework for a future legally binding agreement with Tata Steel to transition to green steel production and drastically reduce hazardous emissions by 2045. This signifies a shift toward enforceable "bespoke" industrial decarbonization contracts that link state aid to strict, measurable reductions in CO2 and toxic pollutants.

3 Apr 2026, 09:54zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

US EPA Finalises Technology Review Amendments to Chemical Manufacturing Area Source NESHAP

The US EPA has finalized stricter air emission standards for chemical manufacturing area sources, effective April 2026, with full compliance for existing facilities required by 2029. Impacted manufacturers must transition to instrument-based leak detection and more rigorous monitoring protocols to mitigate increased operational costs and enforcement risk.

2 Apr 2026, 17:08federalregister.govUnited States

Connecticut Senate Journal Records Favourable Report For S.B. 118 On Toxic Heavy Metals In Baby Food

Connecticut’s S.B. 118 has advanced to the Senate calendar, proposing strict heavy metal limits and mandatory testing for baby food starting January 2027. If enacted, businesses must implement monthly batch testing and digital transparency measures, including QR-code labeling, to maintain market access.

2 Apr 2026, 08:37cga.ct.govUnited States

Argentina ANMAT Incorporates Mercosur Cosmetic Substances List (Resolution 48/10) Into National Law

Argentina has formally incorporated the MERCOSUR List of Cosmetic Substances (Resolution 48/10) into national law via ANMAT Disposition 1612/2026. This procedural alignment solidifies the legal basis for regional regulatory harmonization while maintaining existing restrictions on substances like formaldehyde and lead acetate.

1 Apr 2026, 19:09boletinoficial.gob.arArgentina

China: Shandong Province Issues Implementation Opinions On Accelerating Agricultural And Rural Modernisation

Shandong Province has launched a comprehensive modernization plan targeting rural environmental infrastructure, soil heavy metal remediation, and agricultural pollution control. This signals a shift toward stricter supply chain oversight, including emerging requirements for agricultural carbon-footprint management and enhanced soil quality monitoring.

1 Apr 2026, 18:32shandong.gov.cnChina

Great Britain HSE Consults On Lower Blood Lead Action and Suspension Levels Under Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002

The UK HSE has proposed a major tightening of blood-lead limits for workers, with phased implementation of significantly lower action and suspension levels starting in October 2027. Companies handling lead must evaluate current exposure controls and medical surveillance programs, as the proposed thresholds represent a substantial shift in occupational health compliance requirements.

1 Apr 2026, 14:38consultations.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Alabama ADEM Publishes Proposed Division 3 Air SIP Maintenance Plan Update for Partial Pike County 2008 Lead NAAQS

Alabama has proposed a 10-year extension to the air quality maintenance plan for lead in Pike County to ensure continued compliance with federal standards. Impacted industrial operators should review the maintenance strategy for potential long-term emissions monitoring or reporting obligations necessary to sustain regional attainment.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22adem.alabama.govUnited States

Rhode Island DOH Proposes Amendments to Lead Safe Work Practices and Lead Inspections Rules

Rhode Island is proposing to lower lead-hazard dust thresholds for floors and window sills to align with updated federal EPA standards. This move signals stricter clearance requirements for renovation and abatement activities, necessitating updated compliance protocols for property owners and contractors.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22rules.sos.ri.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

France (ANSES) Calls For Cadmium Limits In Fertilisers To Address Food Overexposure

France’s ANSES has called for immediate regulatory action to lower cadmium limits in fertilizers and food following findings of significant population overexposure. Companies in the fertilizer and food sectors should prepare for stricter concentration limits and enhanced labeling requirements, requiring urgent supply chain assessments for high-risk inputs.

1 Apr 2026, 14:16anses.frFrance

Colorado Adopts Hard Rock, Metal, and Designated Mining Rules (2 CCR 407-1)

Colorado has finalized comprehensive mining rules for hard rock, metal, and uranium operations, effective April 14, 2026. Stricter groundwater reclamation standards and mandatory best available technology requirements will increase compliance costs and financial warranty obligations for extractive industries.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29sos.state.co.usUnited States