Lead and its Compounds

Estonia Adopts Regulation on Hazardous Chemicals Occupational Safety, Exposure Limits and Measurement Procedures

From 16 May 2026, Estonia will enforce a new government regulation that consolidates occupational health and safety requirements, workplace exposure limits and measurement procedures for hazardous chemicals. Employers across sectors will need to update chemical risk assessments, monitoring, worker training and lead exposure controls to comply with the tightened and harmonised framework for carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances.

13 May 2026, 09:20riigiteataja.eeEstonia

EU Commission States It Will Not Add Lead Metal To REACH Annex XIV

In a 11 May 2026 answer to Parliament, the European Commission states it does not intend to add lead metal to the REACH Annex XIV authorisation list, relying instead on existing REACH restrictions and revised occupational exposure limits to manage lead risks. This clarifies near-term EU policy direction: lead will remain controlled primarily through restrictions and workplace limits, easing immediate authorisation risk for lead-using industries while leaving open future measures and potential heritage-related derogations.

12 May 2026, 15:10europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Rhode Island Schedules Hearing On Bill H8173 To Remove Appropriation Requirement For Private-Side Lead Service Replacement Reimbursements

In May 2026, Rhode Island scheduled a House Finance Committee hearing on Bill H8173, which would remove the appropriation requirement for state reimbursements of private-side lead service replacement costs financed by water customers. If enacted, this change could stabilise funding for lead service replacement programmes, reducing financial uncertainty for water utilities and supporting long-term lead risk mitigation planning.

11 May 2026, 11:34webserver.rilegislature.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

Poland Adopts Act Implementing EU Drinking Water Directive and Amending Water Supply and Wastewater Laws

Poland has adopted a comprehensive 2026 amendment to its water supply, wastewater, sanitary inspection and water law framework to implement the EU Drinking Water Directive and introduce risk-based management of drinking-water safety, internal plumbing and materials in contact with water, effective from 21 May 2026. The act imposes new obligations and deadlines for water suppliers, building owners, laboratories and manufacturers of drinking-water-contact materials and treatment chemicals, significantly tightening monitoring, reporting and product compliance requirements that utilities and suppliers must plan for between 2026 and 2028.

9 May 2026, 14:28eli.gov.plPoland

Illinois Senate Passes SB4025 Amending Lead Service Line Replacement Rules

In May 2026 the Illinois Senate passed SB4025, advancing amendments to the state Environmental Protection Act that tighten lead service line notification rules and clarify utilities’ rights to access private property for full lead and galvanized service line replacements. If enacted, the bill would preserve Illinois’ ban on partial lead service line replacements, remove a proposed exemption for high-volume utilities, and strengthen compliance expectations for community water systems and property owners across the state.

9 May 2026, 14:17ilga.govUnited States

Rhode Island DOH Finalises Stricter Lead Dust Standards for Lead Work Practices and Inspections

From 24 May 2026 the Rhode Island Department of Health will bring into force amendments to its Lead Safe Work Practices and Lead Inspections regulations that tighten floor and window sill dust lead hazard and clearance levels in line with updated EPA standards. This will make lead clearance and certification more demanding for landlords, child care operators, and lead abatement contractors, increasing the need for thorough cleaning and remediation to keep properties rentable, safe, and compliant.

9 May 2026, 13:20rules.sos.ri.govUnited States

Illinois Senate Refers SB4025 Lead Service Line Amendment 3 to Local Government Committee

On 5 May 2026, the Illinois Senate advanced SB4025 by sending Amendment 3 on lead service line replacement to the Local Government Committee, sharpening proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Act’s rules on water suppliers and property access. If enacted, SB4025 would remove an exemption for high‑volume utilities, expand statewide duties for property owners or occupants to allow free replacement of lead and galvanized service lines, and could increase compliance and capital‑planning demands for community water systems and landlords.

8 May 2026, 07:00ilga.govUnited States

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

Netherlands Tightens Lead and Cadmium Limits for Ceramic Food-Contact Materials Under Commodities Act Regulation

From 29 May 2026 the Netherlands will enforce significantly lower lead and cadmium migration limits for ceramic food-contact materials under its Commodities Act regulation, implementing a Benelux safeguard decision. Manufacturers and importers of ceramic tableware and packaging must verify compliance with the new specific migration limits and adapt glazes and formulations before the 1 December 2026 placing-on-market cut-off for legacy stock to avoid future non-compliance and potential loss of Benelux trade.

7 May 2026, 06:05zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Rhode Island Senate Committee Holds Lead Hazard Mitigation Bill S3093 For Further Study

Rhode Island bill S3093, which would tighten lead hazard mitigation and training requirements for renovations of pre-1978 buildings, has been held for further study by a Senate committee as of 30 April 2026. If the proposal advances, contractors and building owners in Rhode Island may face stricter lead inspection, supervision, and training obligations on renovation projects, requiring earlier compliance planning for work on older properties.

6 May 2026, 19:40legiscan.comUnited States

US House Introduces Safe Water in Schools Act to Expand Lead Filtration Grants in Schools

The US House has introduced the Safe Water in Schools Act of 2026 (H.R. 8614) to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act by expanding grants for certified lead filtration systems in school and child care drinking water and increasing program funding through 2030. If enacted, this would significantly boost federal resources for proactive lead risk mitigation in educational facilities, shaping future budgets, infrastructure planning, and compliance strategies for school districts, child care providers, and drinking water programs.

6 May 2026, 19:33congress.govUnited States

US Federal Court Complaint Alleges Heavy Metals in Baby Sunscreens Sold via Amazon

In April 2026, consumers filed a federal class action in Washington alleging Amazon misled parents by selling baby and kids mineral sunscreens contaminated with lead and cadmium while marketing them as gentle and free of harmful chemicals. The case underscores rising litigation risk around undisclosed heavy metals in personal care products and may drive tighter supplier testing, ingredient disclosure, and marketing controls for child-focused cosmetics sold online.

6 May 2026, 07:29courtlistener.comUnited States

Ohio House Introduces Healthy Homes Program Act on Mold, Lead, Radon, and Carbon Monoxide

On 30 April 2026, Ohio lawmakers introduced the Healthy Homes Program Act (HB 841), which would add a new section 3701.68 to the state public health code and require the Director of Health to establish an information and awareness programme on household hazards from mold, lead, radon and carbon monoxide. This early-stage proposal primarily affects the Ohio Department of Health for now, but signals increased focus on indoor environmental exposures in housing that compliance and EHS teams may wish to monitor for potential downstream impacts on landlords, builders and home-related products.

5 May 2026, 14:45legislature.ohio.govUnited States

US Office of Special Counsel Receives Whistleblower Disclosure Alleging Lead Hazards in Yellowstone Staff Housing

An anonymous Yellowstone National Park employee, supported by PEER, has filed a whistleblower disclosure with the US Office of Special Counsel alleging long-running failures by the National Park Service to control lead-based paint hazards in staff housing, backed by a 2025 internal compliance review showing serious non-compliance with federal lead and OSHA standards. This case, alongside an ongoing EPA investigation, signals heightened enforcement risk for federal and other landlords with pre-1978 housing and underscores the need for robust lead hazard assessment, tenant notification, remediation, and worker protection programmes aligned with Title X, TSCA, HUD and OSHA requirements.

5 May 2026, 13:59peer.orgUnited States

New Jersey Senate Bill S4125 Proposes Tax Deduction for Removal of Lead, Asbestos and Other Contaminants

New Jersey has introduced Senate Bill S4125 to allow a state gross income tax deduction for costs to remove lead, asbestos, sodium chloride and other contaminants from taxpayers' properties. If enacted, this would financially incentivise remediation of legacy contamination in buildings and land, affecting property owners, remediation contractors and demand for safer building materials and abatement services.

5 May 2026, 06:56njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

Illinois Senate Files Third Amendment To SB4025 On Lead Service Line Replacement

On 29 April 2026, the Illinois Senate filed a third floor amendment to SB4025, a bill amending the Illinois Environmental Protection Act to update notification, replacement rules, and private-side access for lead service lines in community water systems. If enacted, the measure would expand options for notifying residents about lead pipes, relax the ban on partial replacements for high-performing utilities, and strengthen obligations on property owners in Chicago to allow lead service line replacements, shaping future investment and risk management for drinking water infrastructure.

4 May 2026, 20:00ilga.govUnited States

Illinois Senate Files Floor Amendment 3 to SB4025 on Lead Service Line Access

Illinois legislators have filed a third floor amendment to SB4025 that would remove a population threshold so all private property owners must allow access for free lead service line replacements, expanding the reach of the proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Act. If enacted, this would significantly broaden compliance duties for water utilities and landlords statewide, accelerating lead service line replacement programmes and increasing expectations on property access and tenant–landlord coordination.

4 May 2026, 19:59ilga.govUnited StatesIsrael

EU NGOs Urge REACH Committee To Tighten CMR Childcare And Lead Ammunition Restrictions

In April 2026 a coalition of NGOs led by the European Environmental Bureau urged the EU REACH Committee to back pending Annex XVII restrictions on CMRs in childcare products and lead in ammunition and fishing tackle, while highlighting systemic delays in the EU Restrictions Roadmap. This letter signals growing civil-society pressure for faster and more ambitious REACH restrictions, increasing the likelihood of stricter controls on childcare products, lead-based hunting and fishing gear, and other high-hazard chemicals over the coming years.

4 May 2026, 18:21eeb.orgEuropean Union

Pennsylvania HB 916 Would Tighten Childhood Blood Lead Testing and Coverage

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing HB 916, a bill amending the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to mandate blood lead testing for all young children by age two, define clinical thresholds, and expand insurance and state-funded coverage for screening and diagnostic services for children under 72 months and pregnant women. If enacted, paediatric and prenatal providers, insurers, and the Department of Health in Pennsylvania would need to tighten testing protocols, document opt-outs, adjust benefits design, and scale up lead-related education and outreach programmes to manage compliance and public health risk.

3 May 2026, 14:56legis.state.pa.usUnited States