The chemical industry is subject to complex and ever-evolving laws and regulations. New standards governing the production and use of chemicals are implemented every year worldwide, and existing laws and regulations are constantly changing to keep pace with new information and scientific advancements. Chemical Industry Regulatory Update provides a monthly digest of recent legislative and regulatory developments and related industry news.
New Market Report Highlights Regulatory Forces Reshaping Adhesives & Sealants
ASC’s new 2025–2030 North America Adhesive and Sealant Market Report examines key market drivers, including VOC, PFAS, and EPR regulations, sustainability-driven reformulation, raw material pressures, and growth trends across major end-use markets. For ASC members, the report offers valuable market intelligence to support planning and decision-making through 2030.
L.A.W.S. Podcast - Containing the Risk: SPCC Plans and the Art of Oil Spill Prevention
Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans are critically important — and legally required — documents designed to help prevent and respond to oil releases at applicable facilities that store oil. SPCC Plans are living documents that must be periodically reviewed, updated and trained upon to ensure compliance and preparedness in the event of an accidental oil release. In this episode, partner Joel Eagle speaks with professional engineer Rajib Sinha, P.E., of Trihydro Corporation about the importance of strong SPCC Plan drafting, common facility challenges and technical and legal strategies to mitigate risk. Listen here.
California Enacts Mandatory Disclosure Requirements for AI-Generated “Synthetic Performers” in Advertising
On September 16, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1050 into law, making it unlawful to publish advertisements in California that prominently feature AI-generated “synthetic performers” without a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the advertisement includes a synthetic performer. Below, we summarize the key provisions of SB 1050 (California Business & Professions Code § 17610), which goes into effect on January 1, 2027, including its core requirements, enforcement framework, and practical implications for advertisers. Explore further.
NHTSA Reverses Course on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engine Standards
On August 31, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an interpretive rule concluding that it lacks statutory authority under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) to set fuel economy standards for stand-alone engines of commercial medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) on-highway vehicles and work trucks. This reverses NHTSA’s position dating back to 2011, when it first asserted authority to regulate individual engines as part of its MDHD fuel economy program – the heavy-duty vehicle component of the broader Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program. While the new interpretation does not change existing standards, NHTSA has announced it will reset the fuel economy values in the MDHD program in a separate rulemaking. Continue reading.
Securities Quarterly Update
Check out our fall edition of Securities Quarterly Update, a publication that provides updates and guidance on securities regulatory and compliance issues. In this edition, we review SEC rulemaking activity, including the proposed rulemaking that would impact the annual shareholder meetings and proxy statements; considerations for proxy season preparation; recent SEC enforcement actions; and recent SEC, stock exchange, and FINRA updates.
Ninth Circuit Overturns $140 Million Class Action Verdict Against CenturyLink
In a significant decision on September 22, 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a $140 million class action jury verdict in a Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) case. The plaintiffs in Lydia Bultemeyer v. CenturyLink, Inc. claimed that CenturyLink violated the FCRA by accessing their consumer reports after the plaintiffs chose and customized an internet service option, provided contact and personal information, and accepted CenturyLink’s terms and conditions but before the plaintiffs reviewed pricing information and completed the checkout process. Keep reading.
California Enacts SB 690, Eliminating Private Pen/Trap Claims Over Website Tracking
On September 30, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 690 into law after the California Legislature unanimously passed it on August 28, 2026. The law responds to a surge of litigation targeting businesses for their use of common website tracking technologies. SB 690 eliminates the private right of action under the pen register and trap-and-trace (“pen/trap”) provision of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), California Penal Code Section 638.51, for claims arising from conduct on an internet website, online application, or mobile application. Going forward, only the California Attorney General may enforce these claims. SB 690 takes effect January 1, 2027. Learn more.
President Trump Imposes Import Ban on Certain Canadian Products and Increases Tariffs on Other Products
On September 8, 2026, President Donald Trump issued three proclamations imposing bans on the importation from Canada of certain goods and two other proclamations separately modifying Section 338 tariffs on other Canadian goods imported into the United States. The actions were taken on the same date that Canada implemented its retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer issued a statement indicating that the actions are “a natural consequence of Canada’s continued discriminatory treatment of crucial American exports, ranging from alcoholic beverages to dairy products to motor vehicles. President Trump will continue to leverage the tools at his disposal to defend the interests of American workers and exporters, and restore reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.” Read more.
CBP Seeks Comments on Implementation of Executive Order 14411
On September 2, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice seeking comments by December 1, 2026, on its implementation of several provisions of Executive Order 14411 (“EO 14411”), which mandates the collection of foreign export documentation, the expansion of the requirements for the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program, and the integration of technology into supply chain tracing. President Donald Trump signed this EO on June 3, 2026, to enhance customs enforcement (see SmarTrade update of June 22, 2026). The notice follows EO 14411’s mandate for CBP to “take steps” to implement several of the order’s provisions, including those on foreign exporter documentation, within 90 days. Explore further.
OFAC Increases the Scope of Sanctions on Iran
On September 8 and 10, 2026, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned multiple companies and persons for supporting Iran’s aviation sector and for enabling Iran to destabilize the Middle East. The aviation-related sanctions include covert front companies, foreign intermediaries, and deceptive transshipment routes that Iran relies on to obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology. The Middle East terrorism-related sanctions involve entities and individuals that support Kata’ib Hizballah (KH) and Hizballah. Continue reading.
CBP Confirms October 6, 2026 Launch of Phase 3 of the IEEPA Tariff Refund Process
On September 15, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) announced in a declaration filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) that Phase 3 of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (“CAPE”), the system for administering refunds of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), will deploy on October 6, 2026.
According to Brandon Lord, CBP’s Executive Director of Trade Programs, Phase 3 of the CAPE will allow importers of record to request IEEPA tariff refunds on entries that have been liquidated for more than 80 days. Previously, the CAPE only allowed importers of record to seek IEEPA tariff refunds for unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation as part of Phase 1 of the CAPE, which launched on April 20, 2026 (see Update of April 10, 2026). Phase 2 of the CAPE, which launched on June 29, 2026, extended that eligibility to certain reconciliation entries (see Update of June 25, 2026). Keep reading.
Employment Legislation Outlook
Check out the latest Employment Legislation Outlook. This monthly digest is designed to keep you apprised of upcoming major state law changes in areas including paid sick and safe leave laws, family and parental leave, recreational and medicinal marijuana use, workplace gun laws, asking candidates about salary history and unpredictable scheduling.
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