Litigation and Enforcement

Bavarian Higher Administrative Court Upholds Nitrate ‘Red Area’ Implementing Ordinance (13a N 21.3145)

In February 2024 the Bavarian Higher Administrative Court upheld Bavaria’s implementing ordinance to the federal Fertiliser Ordinance, confirming the legality of nitrate “red area” designations and associated fertiliser restrictions for a representative groundwater body. This strengthens the legal footing for stricter fertiliser controls in nitrate‑polluted zones across Bavaria, signalling limited scope to overturn similar designations and reinforcing compliance expectations for farmers and fertiliser‑intensive operators while a later Federal Administrative Court ruling is taken into account.

15 May 2026, 18:35gesetze-bayern.deGermanyEuropean Union

US FDA OPDP Issues Untitled Letter to Alnylam Over AMVUTTRA ATTR-CM Survival Claims

In April 2026, FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion issued an Untitled Letter to Alnylam over AMVUTTRA website content that, in FDA’s view, misleadingly claimed a quantified survival benefit in transthyretin-mediated cardiomyopathy based on open-label extension data. The action requires Alnylam to halt the challenged communications and report back within 15 working days, signalling to other sponsors that FDA will closely scrutinise mortality and long-term outcomes claims drawn from non-randomised extensions in promotional materials.

15 May 2026, 18:33fda.govUnited States

Illinois Pollution Control Board Updates Recent Filings for 1–15 May 2026

Between 1 and 15 May 2026 the Illinois Pollution Control Board recorded new filings across multiple enforcement, adjusted standard, and permit-appeal cases, including high-profile water matters and a CITGO petition concerning an Illinois air emissions standard. These updates signal continued, site-specific enforcement pressure and permitting scrutiny in Illinois, which operators with facilities in the state should monitor for potential remedial obligations, tighter permit conditions, and precedential enforcement outcomes.

15 May 2026, 16:31pcb.illinois.govUnited States

Alabama Huntsville Utilities Sues 3M And Daikin Over PFAS Water Contamination

Huntsville Utilities in Alabama has sued 3M, Daikin America, and other manufacturers over alleged PFAS contamination of its Tennessee River drinking water source, while emphasising that current treated water still meets existing EPA standards. This lawsuit reinforces the growing wave of PFAS-related litigation by US water utilities and signals rising cost and liability pressures on PFAS producers and downstream users as federal drinking-water limits tighten and expensive advanced treatment upgrades become necessary.

15 May 2026, 16:29waff.comUnited States

EU Safety Gate Weekly Report – 15 May 2026 (Chemical and Environmental Risks)

The EU’s Safety Gate system issued its weekly report on 15 May 2026, indicating that 10 new alerts matched Chemical and Environment risk filters for dangerous non-food products across the EU/EEA. These enforcement signals highlight current product-safety actions that manufacturers and distributors should review to spot potentially affected product types and tighten their own compliance controls.

15 May 2026, 16:23ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Aragón Labour Authority Publishes €49,181 Occupational Safety Sanction Against Metálicas BMM, SA

On 15 May 2026 Aragón’s labour authority published a €49,181 sanction against Metálicas BMM, SA for a very serious occupational health and safety infringement under Spain’s LISOS framework. This case underscores active regional enforcement of workplace risk prevention rules, highlighting the need for robust OHS management and compliance controls for operators in Spain.

15 May 2026, 16:16boa.aragon.esSpain

US District Court Declares 2022 ESA Biological Opinion for Malathion Unlawful

In May 2026 a US federal district court declared the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 nationwide ESA biological opinion for malathion registration unlawful, finding its jeopardy and critical-habitat analyses arbitrary and capricious. The ruling forces FWS and EPA back to the drawing board on ESA consultation for malathion, creating significant uncertainty over future label restrictions and permissible agricultural and mosquito-control uses.

15 May 2026, 15:46govinfo.govUnited States

US District Court (E.D. Virginia) Receives Response Opposing EPA Motion to Dismiss PFAS Impaired-Waters Suit

Wild Virginia has filed a detailed brief opposing EPA's attempt to dismiss its Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedure Act lawsuit over EPA's approval of Virginia's 2024 impaired-waters list and treatment of PFAS-contaminated segments in the Middle Chickahominy River watershed. If the challenge succeeds, EPA could be forced to revisit PFAS impairment and TMDL decisions for Virginia's waters, signalling potential broader expansion of PFAS-impaired water designations and remediation obligations.

15 May 2026, 15:26courtlistener.comUnited States

Italy – AIFA Revokes Marketing Authorisation for Medicinal Product Tubercolinum Koch

The Italian Medicines Agency has revoked, at the holder’s request, the marketing authorisation for the human medicinal product Tubercolinum Koch, with the decision published in the Official Gazette on 14 May 2026. Distributors and healthcare providers must ensure any remaining in-date stocks are sold or used within 180 days of publication, after which the product should no longer be placed on the Italian market.

15 May 2026, 15:21gazzettaufficiale.itItaly

Washington Ecology Penalizes Four Organizations Over Underground Fuel Tank Back Fees at King County Airport

In May 2026, Washington’s Department of Ecology fined Signature Aviation, Shultz, Sky Services, and King County a total of $19,681 for failing to pay a decade of underground fuel storage tank business license fees at King County International Airport. The case signals firm enforcement of Washington’s underground tank oversight and financial assurance requirements, highlighting that operators must keep licences and fees current to avoid penalties and potential cleanup liabilities.

15 May 2026, 15:08ecology.wa.govUnited States

HSE Fines Tetra Technologies UK £350,000 After Chemical Tank Collapse at Peterhead Base

In May 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive fined Tetra Technologies UK Limited £350,000 after a corroded 700-tonne calcium chloride storage tank collapsed at its Peterhead offshore base, causing life-changing injuries to a contractor. The case underlines that operators of chemical storage and offshore supply facilities must rigorously inspect and maintain ageing tanks to meet Health and Safety at Work Act duties and avoid severe enforcement, operational disruption, and liability.

15 May 2026, 15:07press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Justice Ministry Issues Enforcement Plan For Safe New Year’s Eve Fireworks Ban

The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security has issued a comprehensive national enforcement plan detailing how the Safe New Year’s Eve Act’s consumer fireworks ban will be implemented and policed from the 2026/2027 New Year onwards. This signals a clear tightening of surveillance and sanctions on illegal fireworks trade and use, so municipalities, enforcement agencies, and fireworks supply chains should expect more coordinated checks, online monitoring, and cross-border operations as the ban takes effect.

15 May 2026, 15:03zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

HSE Prosecutes Willow Services (Southern) Ltd After Roofer Falls Through Unguarded Loft Hatch

On 30 April 2026, an HSE prosecution led to a £20,000 fine and costs against Willow Services (Southern) Ltd for breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 after a roofer suffered life‑changing injuries in a fall through an unguarded loft hatch. The case underscores that even small construction projects must rigorously plan and supervise work at height, identify and guard fragile openings, and follow HSE guidance or risk severe enforcement, liability and operational disruption.

15 May 2026, 13:41press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

HSE Fines Power Plane Limited After Worker Maimed by Road Milling Machine

In May 2026, Aldershot Magistrates’ Court fined Power Plane Limited £92,450 plus costs after an HSE prosecution under PUWER 1998, following a 2024 incident in which a worker’s leg was amputated in a road milling machine. The case underlines that employers using mobile work equipment must ensure effective guarding and follow manufacturer instructions or face serious enforcement, financial penalties, and long-term operational and reputational risk.

15 May 2026, 13:41press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US House Introduces Make DTE Pay Act To Increase Clean Air Act Penalties For Investor-Owned Utilities

US Representative Rashida Tlaib has introduced the Make DTE Pay Act (H.R. 8715), which would amend the Clean Air Act to mandate higher penalties for investor-owned electric and gas utilities that raise rates around the time of a Clean Air Act penalty assessment. For affected utilities and their investors, this would materially increase financial exposure from air compliance violations and rate-case strategies, strengthening incentives to avoid non-compliance and manage rate increases more cautiously.

15 May 2026, 13:36govinfo.govUnited States

Massachusetts DEP Fines Rutland Water Supplier For Drinking Water Violations

On 12 May 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection fined the Cool Sandy Beach Community Water System $7,920 for multiple state drinking water violations at its Rutland public water supply. The consent order forces this small community system to upgrade its pump house, bring its emergency chlorination system into compliance, and improve public notification, signalling continued scrutiny of drinking water operations even at smaller utilities.

15 May 2026, 13:32mass.govUnited States

Australia TGA Publishes Guidance on Lawful Compounding of Medicines

In May 2026 Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration published detailed guidance consolidating the legislative requirements for manufacturing, supplying and advertising compounded medicines. Health practitioners and sponsors involved in compounding now need to reassess licensing status, ARTG exemptions, high‑risk product categories and advertising practices to avoid unlawful manufacture or supply and the risk of substantial civil or criminal penalties.

15 May 2026, 13:30tga.gov.auAustralia

China NMPA Reports Four Illegal Online Sales of Medical Devices

In May 2026, China’s NMPA published four concluded enforcement cases against companies selling medical devices online via major e-commerce platforms in breach of registration, licensing, and labelling requirements. These cases signal sustained regulatory scrutiny of medical-device sales on Chinese online marketplaces, raising compliance expectations for manufacturers, distributors, and platforms to align listings and documentation with national rules.

15 May 2026, 13:30nmpa.gov.cnChina

Australia House Of Representatives Passes Unfair Trading Practices Bill 2026 After Second Reading Amendment

Australia’s House of Representatives has agreed a government second reading amendment to the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026 and passed the bill to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, moving major unfair trading, drip pricing and subscription reforms further along the legislative process. Businesses selling goods and services to Australian consumers, particularly via digital and subscription models, should treat these horizontal consumer law changes as increasingly likely and start reviewing pricing transparency, interface design and cancellation pathways ahead of potential commencement.

15 May 2026, 12:02aph.gov.auAustralia

Delaware SB 297 Reported Out of Committee to Clarify Consumer Fraud Act Scope

Delaware lawmakers are advancing SB 297, which has been reported out of committee and would clarify that the state Consumer Fraud Act covers unfair or deceptive conduct before, during, and after a consumer transaction rather than only at the point of sale. If enacted, this would broaden enforcement and litigation risk for businesses’ ongoing customer communications, debt collection practices, and after-sales obligations in Delaware, requiring closer review of consumer-facing policies and procedures.

15 May 2026, 09:38legis.delaware.govUnited States