Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

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

DNREC Advises on Delaware City Refining Repairs and Elevated Sulfur Dioxide Emissions

DNREC has warned that planned repair work at Delaware City Refining will temporarily shift pollution controls, driving significantly higher sulphur dioxide emissions for about four weeks while expanded air and fenceline monitoring tracks community exposure. This points to an expected period of permit exceedances and continued enforcement focus on air quality around the refinery, heightening operational and reputational risk for refinery operators and nearby industrial emitters.

11 May 2026, 11:56news.delaware.govUnited States

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

Germany Drafts Ordinance Amending 13th, 17th and 31st BImSchV to Implement IED Amendment 2024/1785 and BAT Decision 2022/2427

In April 2026 Germany’s environment ministry circulated a draft ordinance amending the 13th, 17th and 31st BImSchV to transpose the revised Industrial Emissions Directive 2024/1785 and BAT Decision 2022/2427, tightening air emission and monitoring rules for large combustion, waste incineration and solvent-using chemical and pharmaceutical plants by 2026. This signals stricter NOx, SO2, dust and off-normal PCDD/F controls but some streamlined monitoring and reporting, so operators should assess which installations fall under the new sections and prepare permit, measurement and investment adjustments ahead of the 12 December 2026 compliance date for existing plants.

8 May 2026, 18:14table.mediaGermanyEuropean Union

California Air Resources Board Releases Draft 2023 Consumer Products Survey Data for Stakeholder Feedback

In late April 2026 the California Air Resources Board released draft 2023 Consumer and Commercial Products Survey data and chemical-speciation summaries for public review, with stakeholder feedback requested by early June 2026. These detailed VOC and emissions datasets across 37 consumer product categories will feed California’s consumer product inventory, air-quality modelling, and forthcoming rulemakings on additional emission reductions from chemically formulated products.

8 May 2026, 07:26ww2.arb.ca.govUnited States

Mexico Proposes Emission Limits and OBD Requirements for New Gasoline Motorcycles (PROY-NOM-175-SEMARNAT-2026)

Mexico has published draft standard PROY-NOM-175-SEMARNAT-2026 to impose Euro-style exhaust and evaporative emission limits, durability requirements, and onboard diagnostics for new gasoline motorcycles, with public consultation open until 29 June 2026. If adopted, the rule will materially tighten compliance obligations for motorcycle manufacturers and importers in Mexico, requiring upgraded emission-control technologies, new certification testing strategies, and preparation for a 180-day transition period after final publication.

5 May 2026, 13:52sidofqa.segob.gob.mxMexico

Gelderland District Court Annuls VOC Paint Fine Under Dutch Working Conditions Rules (ECLI:NL:RBGEL:2026:3174)

A Dutch district court has annulled a €4,500 fine for using higher-VOC line-marking paint in a distribution centre, finding that strict application of the Working Conditions substitution duty was disproportionate in this specific case. The ruling signals that enforcement of VOC substitution obligations under Dutch Working Conditions rules may be constrained where no economically viable low-VOC alternatives exist and robust protective measures are used, and it could prompt future adjustments for painting work in large warehouses and parking garages.

4 May 2026, 18:23deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Informative Inventory Report 2026: Emissions of Transboundary Air Pollutants in the Netherlands (1990–2024)

The Netherlands has published its 2026 Informative Inventory Report confirming that 2023 emissions of key transboundary air pollutants remain comfortably below the reduction commitments set by the EU National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive and the CLRTAP framework. For compliance and strategy teams this is a signalling, not binding, development: it confirms current headroom under existing emission caps and may shape future Dutch and EU air-quality policy, but it does not itself create new obligations for individual companies.

4 May 2026, 09:15rivm.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Consumer Reports Finds Heavy Metals and VOCs in Braiding Hair Products

Consumer Reports has released new lab results showing widespread contamination with lead, other heavy metals and multiple VOCs in 30 popular braiding hair products, with human hair products in particular far exceeding its level of concern for lead. These findings intensify pressure on beauty brands and regulators to tighten testing, labeling, and chemical restrictions on textured hair products used largely by Black women and girls, and are likely to feed into state-level initiatives such as New York’s Beauty Justice Act and stricter warning regimes like California Proposition 65.

30 Apr 2026, 10:49consumerreports.comUnited States

Oklahoma DEQ Opens Public Comment On Draft Title V Renewal For Spirit AeroSystems Tulsa Facility (2025-0637-TVR4)

On 29 April 2026, Oklahoma DEQ opened a 30-day public comment period on the draft renewal of Spirit AeroSystems’ Tulsa Title V air operating permit 2025-0637-TVR4, setting updated emission limits for VOCs, NOx, CO, PM10, SO2 and HAPs. This keeps the facility operating as a major air source, so affected businesses should review the draft conditions now to understand future emissions constraints, investment needs, and any implications for local permitting or community expectations.

30 Apr 2026, 06:54applications.deq.ok.govUnited States

China Adopts GB 30981.2-2025 Limits Of Harmful Substances In Industrial Coatings

China has finalised national standard GB 30981.2-2025 on limits for harmful substances in industrial coatings, issued in May 2025 and coming into force in June 2026. This consolidates multiple existing coating-related standards and tightens VOC and hazardous constituent controls, so coating makers and downstream users must review formulations, labelling, and testing programmes before the 2026 implementation date.

30 Apr 2026, 06:47chinesestandard.netChina

Canada Opens Consultation on Proposed Restrictions for 1-Bromopropane in Consumer Products

In April 2026, Canada issued its final assessment for the Alkyl Halides Group and opened a consultation on a proposed risk management approach to restrict 1‑bromopropane in certain consumer products, with comments due by 24 June 2026. Companies using 1‑bromopropane in cleaning or automotive products should prepare for tighter Canadian controls, assess alternatives, and consider submitting data during the consultation to shape future CEPA regulations.

30 Apr 2026, 05:45canada.caCanada

Texas TCEQ To Consider Petition To Raise Reportable Quantities For Heptane And Nonane

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will on 13 May 2026 consider an industry petition to raise the air-release reportable quantity for heptane and nonane from 100 pounds to 5,000 pounds. If the commission agrees to initiate rulemaking, future changes could materially reduce incident reporting obligations for Texas oil and gas and other facilities using these solvents, so EHS and compliance teams should monitor the outcome and any subsequent proposal closely.

29 Apr 2026, 18:26tceq.texas.govUnited States

China Initiates Revision of GB 38508-2020 VOC Limits for Cleaning Agents

China’s National Standardization Administration has launched a 2026 revision of GB 38508-2020, the mandatory standard limiting VOC content in cleaning agents. This signals likely tightening or clarification of VOC controls, so manufacturers and users of cleaning agents in China should anticipate potential formulation changes, retesting, and documentation updates as the draft and final standard emerge.

29 Apr 2026, 18:13chemical.chemlinked.comChina

EPA Approves Virginia SIP Revision Excluding HFO-1336mzz(E) From VOC Definition

In April 2026, EPA finalized Virginia’s SIP Revision A23 to add HFO-1336mzz(E) to the list of compounds excluded from the state’s volatile organic compound (VOC) definition, aligning 9 VAC 5-10-20 with the federal VOC definition effective 26 May 2026. For facilities in Virginia using this solvent, emissions of HFO-1336mzz(E) will no longer count toward VOC limits or permitting thresholds, slightly easing ozone-related compliance calculations while leaving all other VOC obligations and Clean Air Act controls unchanged.

28 Apr 2026, 11:55federalregister.govUnited States

Switzerland Adopts Amendment To VOC Levy Ordinance Introducing 60-Day Refund Window

In April 2026 Switzerland adopted an amendment to the VOC levy ordinance that creates a new 60-day window to claim refunds on late-assessed VOC charges, effective 1 June 2026. This closes a refund gap for solvent-using companies, aligning tax enforcement and refund rights while maintaining the incentive to reduce VOC emissions.

28 Apr 2026, 11:32cms.news.admin.chSwitzerland

China MEE Consults on Draft Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Automotive Industry

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has opened a consultation on the first dedicated national emission standard for air pollutants from automotive manufacturing, with stakeholder comments due by 18 May 2026. If adopted, the standard will tighten and unify stack and fugitive VOC and pollutant limits across automotive plants, requiring upgrades to coating and exhaust-control systems and shifting compliance away from generic air emission standards toward sector-specific rules.

24 Apr 2026, 08:49mee.gov.cnChina

Wisconsin DNR Plans VOC RACT Rule Revisions and April 2026 Information Session

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources is launching rule revisions to tighten VOC Reasonably Available Control Technology requirements for ozone nonattainment areas and has scheduled an April 2026 information session with further stakeholder forums in June. This early-stage process will shape future air permit limits and control expectations for VOC-emitting facilities in Wisconsin, so operators should monitor the docket and be ready to engage with proposed RACT changes.

24 Apr 2026, 08:06widnr.widen.netUnited States

Castilla y León Updates Benteler España Burgos Environmental Permit (Order MAV/354/2026, MNS 9)

Castilla y León has updated the integrated environmental permit for Benteler España’s Burgos plant through Order MAV/354/2026 (MNS 9), authorising new shot‑blasting and VOC capture equipment, revising the inventory of emission points, and tightening particulate, VOC, noise and waste‑management conditions from April 2026. This raises the bar on monitoring, reporting and infrastructure for VOC and dust emissions and for hazardous and non‑hazardous waste handling under Spain’s IPPC and waste frameworks, signalling similar scrutiny for other automotive metal treatment and coating facilities.

22 Apr 2026, 21:00bocyl.jcyl.esSpain

US EPA Approves New Hampshire SIP Revision for Hutchinson Sealing Systems VOC RACT Order

US EPA has approved a New Hampshire State Implementation Plan revision incorporating a revised VOC RACT order for Hutchinson Sealing Systems’ motor vehicle weatherstrip adhesive facility, with the federal rule becoming effective in late April 2026. This locks existing VOC limits into the federally enforceable SIP without tightening stringency, so the main impact is continued compliance under updated order language and reinforced Clean Air Act enforcement for this specific source.

22 Apr 2026, 20:56federalregister.govUnited States