Regulatory Compliance News & Updates
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EPA, and DOL regulatory compliance.
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
Safety & Compliance News
FEATURED NEWS
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EHS Monthly Round Up - March 2026
In this March 2026 roundup video, we'll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.
OSHA released an updated Job Safety and Health poster. Employers can use either the revised version or the older one, but the poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place where workers can easily see it.
OSHA recently removed a link from its Data topic webpage that displayed a list of “high-penalty cases” at or over $40,000 since 2015. The agency says it discontinued and removed it in December. The data is frozen and archived elsewhere.
OSHA published two new resources as part of its newly launched Safety Champions Program. The fact sheet provides an overview of how the program works, eligibility criteria, and key benefits. The step-by-step guide helps businesses navigate the core elements of OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.
Several forces are nudging OSHA to address a number of workplace hazards and high-hazard industries. This comes from other agencies, safety organizations, watchdogs, legislative proposals, and persistent injury/fatality data. Among the hazards are combustible dust; first aid; personal protective equipment; and workplace violence. How all this translates into new regulations, guidance, programmed inspections, or other initiatives remains to be seen.
Turning to environmental news, EPA issued a proposed rule to require waste handlers to use electronic manifests to track all RCRA hazardous waste shipments. Stakeholders have until May 4 to comment on the proposal.
On March 10, EPA finalized stronger emission limits for new and existing large municipal waste combustors and made other changes to related standards.
And finally, EPA temporarily extended coverage under the 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges until the agency issues a new general permit. The permit expired February 28 and remains in effect for facilities previously covered. EPA won’t take enforcement action against new facilities for unpermitted stormwater discharges if the facilities meet specific conditions.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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RECENT INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
NewsEmployment ContractsIndependent ContractorsMonthly Roundup VideoContingent WorkforceFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)LeaveFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)USAHuman ResourcesLeaveHR ManagementEnglishAssociate Benefits & CompensationIndustry NewsContingent WorkforceWage and HourHours WorkedHR GeneralistFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)Non-Exempt employees Associate RelationsFocus AreaVideo
HR Monthly Round Up - March 2026
In this March 2026 roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful HR news.
Welcome, everyone! In the next few minutes, we’ll review the latest HR news. Let’s get started.
On February 27th, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division published a proposed rule that would rescind the 2024 independent contractor rule and replace it with a rule that’s similar to the one that was finalized in 2021, but never took effect. The public may submit comments until April 28th.
In the meantime, employers should follow guidance from the 2024 rule and ensure they’re complying with all federal, state, and local employment laws, especially when it comes to properly classifying workers.
One other tidbit about this independent contractor proposed rule, it also stretches its application beyond the federal Fair Labor Standards Act to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.
While employers wouldn’t see a major FMLA change, if the proposed rule is finalized, they would benefit from the simplicity and certainty of having both laws use the same definitions.
And, finally, could a federal paid leave law be in the works? While employers shouldn’t hold their breath, paid leave is once again on the minds of Congress members. On February 24th, the U.S. House Employee Protections subcommittee held a hearing titled “Balancing Careers and Care: Examining Innovative Approaches to Paid Leave.” The hearing was held to examine the challenges of the U.S. paid leave landscape.
With the patchwork of state paid leave laws, House members at the hearing recognized the challenge private-sector employers have in navigating them. While nothing may come of this, it shows Congress is still very interested in the topic of paid leave.
That’s all the HR news we have time for today. Thanks for watching. See you next month!
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2026-04-07T05:00:00Z
NewsUnified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCR)Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOTChange NoticesChange NoticeFocus AreaFleet OperationsEnglishTransportationRegistration and Permits - Motor CarrierUSA
FMCSA Proposed Rule: Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement
FMCSA proposes amendments to its regulations governing the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement registration fees that participating States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. The UCR Board of Directors (Board) did not recommend any change in fees for the 2026 registration year, therefore the fees remained the same as the 2025 registration year. However, on September 18, 2025, the Board recommended a fee increase for the 2027 registration year and subsequent registration years. This recommended increase averages 20 percent, with varying increases between $9 and $9,329 per entity, depending on the applicable fee bracket. Even after the proposed increase, the fees for registration year 2027 are still less than those in effect during registration years 2019 through 2022. FMCSA proposes to adopt the recommended fee increase.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 7, 2026. Published in the Federal Register April 7, 2026, page 17618.
View proposed rule.
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2026-04-07T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsMunicipal WastewaterPublicly Owned Treatment WorksSafe Drinking WaterWater ProgramsEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)EnvironmentalUSAWater ProgramsEnglishFocus AreaCWA Compliance
EPA releases draft list of drinking water contaminants for possible regulation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) for the next group of contaminants to be considered for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The agency’s proposed list designates microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups for the first time.
What’s on the list?
The proposed CCL 6 contains:
- 4 chemical groups, including:
- Microplastics,
- Pharmaceuticals,
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and
- Disinfection byproducts.
- 75 chemicals; and
- 9 microbes.
EPA may regulate the listed contaminants in the future.
What does the CCL do?
The drinking water CCL is the first part of the process to regulate contaminants in public water systems. The list identifies unregulated contaminants known or anticipated to be present in drinking water that pose the greatest health risk. It helps EPA prioritize which contaminants to evaluate for potential regulation.
The SDWA requires EPA to make regulatory determinations (i.e., whether to develop rules for a contaminant) for at least five contaminants listed on the CCL every 5 years. When the agency determines a contaminant needs to be regulated, it begins the rulemaking process to develop a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for the contaminant. The NPDWRs apply to public water systems.
How can I participate?
EPA will receive public comments on the CCL 6 through June 5, 2026. You can send comments to EPA via regulations.gov or by mail. Make sure your submission includes the Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0946.
Key to remember: The draft list of the next round of drinking water contaminants to be considered for regulation adds priority groups for microplastics and pharmaceuticals.
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2026-04-06T05:00:00Z
NewsSafety & HealthChange NoticesChange NoticeFall ProtectionGeneral Industry SafetyWalking Working SurfacesFall ProtectionOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), DOLWalking Working SurfacesEnglishFocus AreaUSA
OSHA Proposed Rule: Walking-Working Surfaces
This proposed rule removes a deadline in OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces standard by which all fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level must be equipped with personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems. Additionally, OSHA is seeking comment on repealing or revising the requirement that employers use personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders over 24 feet tall and instead permitting employers to continue to use ladder cages or wells.
DATES: Comments and other information, including requests for a hearing, must be received on or before June 5, 2026. Published in the Federal Register April 6, 2026, page 17165.
View proposed rule.
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2026-04-06T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetyWalking Working SurfacesOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), DOLLaddersEnglishFocus AreaUSA
OSHA proposes removing fixed ladder deadline from WWS rule
An OSHA proposed rule would remove a November 18, 2036, deadline in the Walking-Working Surfaces standard that requires all fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level to be equipped with personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems. OSHA also seeks feedback on repealing or revising the requirement and instead permitting employers to continue to use ladder cages or wells. The proposed changes affect 29 CFR 1910.28.
The agency requests comments, data, and information on nine specific questions related to the proposed rule. Stakeholders have until June 5, 2026, to comment. Search for Docket No. OSHA-2025-0072 at regulations.gov.
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.