Heavy Metals

Montana DEQ Invites Comment on 2027 WPCSRF Emerging Contaminants Intended Use Plan and Project List

In May 2026, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality opened consultation on a draft 2027 Emerging Contaminants Intended Use Plan under its Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund, outlining how more than two million dollars in federal infrastructure funding will be allocated to priority wastewater and stormwater projects. The plan signals increased investment in PFAS, microplastics, pesticide and other contaminant monitoring and treatment in Montana’s water infrastructure, so utilities and technology providers should track project selections and potential opportunities linked to this funding round.

13 May 2026, 09:21deq.mt.govUnited States

Sweden KEMI Reports One Third of Inspected Home Electronics Contain Banned Substances

In May 2026 Sweden’s Chemicals Agency published enforcement results showing that about 30 percent of 209 low-cost home electronics products inspected in 2025 contained banned substances such as lead, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and the phthalates DEHP and DBP. The findings highlight persistent compliance gaps under RoHS, REACH and POPs, signalling that importers and distributors must strengthen supplier controls, testing and documentation rather than relying on CE marking to avoid enforcement risk.

12 May 2026, 15:40kemi.seSweden

Thailand Pollution Control Department Detects Dangerous Arsenic Levels in Mekong River Sediments

In March 2026, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department detected arsenic concentrations far above national danger thresholds in sediment from the Mekong River mainstream and nearby tributaries in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. These findings, widely associated with upstream unregulated mining in Myanmar, highlight escalating cross-border heavy-metal pollution risks, probable pressure for stronger basin-wide monitoring, and the likelihood of future constraints on water use and fisheries even ahead of new binding rules.

12 May 2026, 15:19news.mongabay.comThailandMyanmar (Burma)

CELA Urges Ontario to Refuse ArcelorMittal Dofasco ECA Renewal Without Air-Pollution Improvements

In March 2026, the Canadian Environmental Law Association urged Ontario’s environment ministry to refuse ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s air Environmental Compliance Approval renewal for its Hamilton steel mill unless major air-quality improvements and a credible coal phase-out plan are secured. This intervention signals growing regulatory and community pressure on large industrial emitters’ decarbonisation and emission controls, which could influence permit conditions, enforcement priorities, and investment decisions for heavy industry in Ontario.

12 May 2026, 12:55ero.ontario.caCanada

Plateforme SCA Publishes BuSCA No. 155 on Chemical Contaminants in Rice, Seafood and Fermented Foods

France’s Plateforme SCA has issued BuSCA No.155 summarising recent evidence of heavy metals, plasticisers, mycotoxins, antibiotic residues and marine ciguatoxins in rice, seafood, feed and fermented plant foods across several countries. The bulletin highlights exceedances of existing contaminant limits and emerging toxin signals that may warrant closer supplier oversight, product testing and risk assessment by food and feed operators to stay within regulatory tolerances and anticipate future scrutiny.

12 May 2026, 12:52plateforme-sca.frEuropean UnionSpainItalyGermanyBrazilGlobal

China Issues Revised Mandatory Standard GB 18586—2026 For Harmful Substances In Carpets And PVC Flooring

China’s market regulator has issued revised mandatory standard GB 18586—2026 tightening limits on harmful substances and TVOC emissions in carpets, carpet underlays and PVC flooring. Stricter emission and content thresholds for VOCs, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates and brominated flame retardants will force flooring suppliers to review formulations, testing and certification plans ahead of implementation.

11 May 2026, 11:34samr.gov.cnChina

Vermont House Places Senate-Amended Baby Food Heavy Metals Bill H.536 on Notice Calendar

Vermont lawmakers are advancing bill H.536, which would ban the sale of baby food with toxic heavy metals above US FDA limits from 2027 and require monthly testing, online disclosure of metal levels and QR code labelling, with a later phase potentially extending similar rules to infant formula. Baby food and infant formula manufacturers and retailers serving Vermont should prepare for tighter heavy‑metal controls, lab capacity and packaging changes while tracking final House action on Senate amendments and the Governor’s decision before the bill becomes binding law.

10 May 2026, 19:26legislature.vermont.govUnited States

New Jersey Proposes Phase-Out of Lead Ammunition in Hunting (Bill A5021)

In May 2026, New Jersey lawmakers introduced Bill A5021 to phase out lead ammunition for hunting and require nonlead alternatives statewide over a three-year transition period. If enacted, this would drive a shift toward certified nonlead ammunition, with new penalties for violations and rulemaking by the Fish and Game Council shaping how hunters and ammunition suppliers adapt.

10 May 2026, 18:51pub.njleg.govUnited States

EU Commission Confirms No Review of Expired Mercury Lamp Phase-Out Dates

In May 2026 the European Commission confirmed, in an answer to a European Parliament question, that it will not revisit the expired phase-out dates for importing, exporting and manufacturing mercury-containing general lighting lamps under the RoHS Directive and the revised EU Mercury Regulation. This closes the door to deadline extensions and reinforces that lighting and electronics manufacturers must complete phase-out and redesign plans based on the existing RoHS exemption expiries and the linked mercury product bans.

9 May 2026, 19:00europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Andalusian High Court Orders Junta to Deliver Withheld Study on Aznalcóllar Mine Discharges

In April 2026, the High Court of Justice of Andalusia ordered the regional government to deliver a withheld technical study and detailed heavy‑metal data linked to a controversial discharge permit for the Aznalcóllar mine into the Guadalquivir estuary. This judicial step heightens legal risk around the July 2024 authorisation and signals closer scrutiny of mine wastewater management and heavy‑metal contamination in a sensitive, multi‑use river basin.

9 May 2026, 14:11drive.google.comSpain

Idaho DEQ Schedules First Negotiated Rulemaking Meeting on Ground Water Quality Rule (Docket 58-0111-2601)

Idaho DEQ has opened negotiated rulemaking on its Ground Water Quality Rule (docket 58-0111-2601) to align state groundwater standards with federal primary drinking water standards, with a first meeting on 13 May 2026 and Negotiated Rule Draft No. 1 open for comment until 20 May 2026. This signals likely tightening and clarification of groundwater limits for arsenic, lead, uranium and certain PFAS in Idaho, so water utilities and industrial groundwater users should track the process and prepare for potential changes to contaminant standards and compliance obligations.

8 May 2026, 18:54deq.idaho.govUnited States

Spain Senate Committee Recognises Strategic Role of Alcolea Dam and Urges Government to Resume Works in Huelva

Spain’s Senate Economic Committee has approved a non-binding motion declaring the Alcolea dam in Huelva a strategic project and pressing the government to unblock works amid concern over Odiel river water quality and local agro-industrial needs. This raises political pressure for future decisions on financing, governance and remediation around a partially built dam in a river basin already affected by acidity and heavy-metal contamination, with implications for agriculture, industrial operators and regional water security.

8 May 2026, 10:54senado.esSpain

EU Discusses Proposed Metals and Iodine Limits and 2027–2029 Monitoring for Seaweeds

The European Commission and Member States are discussing new EU maximum levels for cadmium, lead, arsenic and iodine in seaweeds, alongside a coordinated 2027–2029 monitoring campaign for metals and iodine in seaweed products based on recent EFSA risk assessment work. If progressed, these measures would tighten contaminant controls on seaweed and halophyte ingredients, requiring producers and users to strengthen testing, adjust sourcing or processing, and prepare for future EU-wide limits under the food contaminants regime.

8 May 2026, 09:27bezpecnostpotravin.czEuropean Union

Zero Waste Europe-Led NGO Coalition Urges Precaution on Incineration Residues in Forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act

A Zero Waste Europe-led NGO coalition has urged the European Commission to ensure the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act takes a precautionary stance on using incineration residues, especially incinerator bottom ash, as circular materials. If this NGO pressure shapes the final Act, waste incineration and construction supply chains may face stricter EU-wide controls on hazardous substances in bottom ash, more demanding testing requirements, and less regulatory tolerance for using such residues as secondary raw materials.

8 May 2026, 08:38zerowasteeurope.euEuropean Union

Vermont Senate Passes H.536 On Toxic Heavy Metals In Baby Food Products

The Vermont Senate has advanced H.536, a bill that would restrict toxic heavy metals in baby food products, by passing it with a committee amendment and returning a message to the House in early May 2026. If enacted, the law would from 1 January 2027 require baby food manufacturers to keep arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury within US FDA limits, conduct monthly testing, publish QR-linked test results, and later extend comparable controls to infant formula once similar rules exist in other states.

8 May 2026, 06:58legislature.vermont.govUnited States

Vermont Senate Advances Heavy Metals In Baby Food Bill H.536 To Third Reading

The Vermont Senate has advanced bill H.536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food through third reading and passage with amendments, following earlier House approval and leaving the measure awaiting final enactment. If signed, the law will require baby food (and later infant formula) sold in Vermont to meet FDA heavy metal limits, undergo regular accredited-lab testing, carry QR-code based disclosure labelling, and provide online transparency on metal levels from 2027 onward, driving new compliance expectations for baby-food manufacturers and retailers.

8 May 2026, 06:56legislature.vermont.govUnited States

New York Senate Bill S1464A Sent to Finance Committee — Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

In May 2026, New York’s Senate advanced amended Bill S1464A, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, by reporting it from committee and sending it to the Finance Committee. If enacted, the bill would create a far-reaching extended producer responsibility regime for packaging, forcing larger producers to register, fund statewide recycling infrastructure, cut packaging volumes, and eliminate PFAS and other toxics from packaging sold into New York.

8 May 2026, 06:56nysenate.govUnited States

Brazil (Goiás) Environmental Agency Cites Serra Verde Rare Earth Mine for Stream Pollution, Recommends Fines

Goiás state environment agency Semad, supported by a joint inspection with federal institute Ibama, has found Serra Verde’s commercial rare earth mine is degrading nearby streams and has issued multiple infraction notices recommending multimillion-real fines. This enforcement action exposes significant environmental and ESG risk in a strategically important rare earth supply hub, which may impact permitting certainty, remediation costs, and the attractiveness of long-term offtake and financing tied to Serra Verde.

8 May 2026, 06:49apublica.orgBrazil

Ireland Adopts RoHS Amendment Regulations 2026 (SI 110/2026) Implementing New EU Lead Exemptions

In March 2026 Ireland adopted Statutory Instrument 110/2026 amending its RoHS regulations to implement new EU lead exemptions for certain electrical and electronic equipment applications. This update aligns Irish RoHS law with recent EU annex changes, so compliance teams must reassess affected product lines and documentation to manage lead-use risks while taking advantage of the revised exemptions.

8 May 2026, 06:42irishstatutebook.ieIrelandEuropean Union

Mexico ASEA Proposes NOM-026-ASEA-2026 on RETC Reporting for Hydrocarbons Sector

Mexico’s hydrocarbons safety regulator ASEA is consulting on draft NOM-026-ASEA-2026, which would establish a RETC reporting list of 125 priority pollutants, with activity-specific thresholds and technical criteria, for operators and hazardous-waste service providers across the hydrocarbons value chain. If adopted, companies in Mexico’s hydrocarbons sector will need to track and report specified VOCs, POPs, PFAS, heavy metals and greenhouse gases exceeding new annual thresholds in their Cédula de Operación Anual, tightening emissions transparency and environmental compliance expectations for upstream, midstream and downstream operations.

7 May 2026, 19:29members.wto.orgMexico