By: Sydney Sybydlo
Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes in August 2024. We cover EHS legislation and standards for over 30 countries and 400 jurisdictions. If you would like to track legislative changes for specific regions, countries, or jurisdictions, we are happy to help. Please send us a request for more information here, and we will contact you shortly. Note that descriptions with an asterisk (*) were generated with artificial intelligence.
- Canada – Federal
- Canada – New Brunswick
- Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador
- Canada – Saskatchewan
- United States – California
- United States – Illinois
- United States – New Hampshire
- United States – Ohio
- United States – Texas
- European Union
- Brazil
- Brazil – Brasilia
- Brazil – Minas Gerais
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Hungary
- Malaysia
- Spain – Catalonia
- United Kingdom – Scotland
Canada – Federal
New Principal Document – Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
First Effective Date: 9 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to Canadian drinking water providers and regulators. It establishes an objective of 30 ng/L for the sum of 25 specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It provides guidance on monitoring, analysis, and treatment methods to achieve this objective and reduce PFAS exposure through drinking water.*
Canada – New Brunswick
Amended Document – General Regulation (Occupational Health and Safety Act)
Amending Document – General Regulation 2024-07-26 Amendments
First Effective Date: 26 July 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The changes to the document notably:
- introduce specific rules for the provision of toilet facilities “if the toilets are of a chemical, a self-contained portable or other similar type” based on the number of employees on-site at any given time;
- require outdoor employee eating areas to have hand cleaning and drying facilities and garbage receptacles;
- update the versions of various standards incorporated by reference;
- require employers to establish codes of practice for hearing conservation and respiratory protective equipment, where applicable and would set out the information to be included in those codes as well as rules concerning the review and update of the codes;
- require employers to provide hearing tests to employees who are exposed to noise exceeding established noise exposure limits;
- establish rules governing the safe use of abrasive blasting and high-pressure washing tools, safe demolition activities (including managing hazardous materials and substances);
- establish rules for the quality of manufactured scaffold plants and bracket scaffolds, seismic blasting operations, and specific rules for radiation safety (including for X-ray equipment operators and nuclear energy workers), as well as exposure limits; and
- make minor updates to hazardous materials handling rules.
New Principal Document – Contaminated Sites Regulation (Clean Environment Act)
First Effective Date: 1 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to responsible parties and site professionals involved with contaminated sites in New Brunswick. It outlines requirements for notifying authorities about contamination, conducting environmental assessments, remediating contaminated sites, and filing reports. It also specifies qualifications and insurance requirements for site professionals.*
Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador
New Principal Document – Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2024-2025
First Effective Date: 23 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document applies to hunters and trappers in Newfoundland and Labrador. It outlines open seasons for hunting and trapping various animals, including fur-bearing animals, big game, small game, and coyotes. The document specifies dates, locations, and methods allowed for hunting different species across the province.*
It replaces the Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2023-2024. The new document applies to the 2024-2025 hunting season.
Canada – Saskatchewan
New Principal Document – The Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive Regulations
First Effective Date: 25 July 2024
Industry Sector: Mining & Minerals Industry
This document applies to businesses involved in critical minerals innovation projects in Saskatchewan. It outlines regulations for a program providing tax credits to eligible projects. Key requirements include minimum investment amounts, project approval processes, and rules for earning and transferring credits.*
New Principal Document – The Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive Regulations
First Effective Date: 25 July 2024
Industry Sector: Mining & Minerals Industry
This document applies to businesses involved in critical minerals processing in Saskatchewan. It outlines an investment incentive program, allowing eligible projects to earn transferable royalty credits based on approved costs. Key requirements include minimum investments of $10 million and significant increases in processing capacity for specified minerals.*
Amended Document – The Plant Health Act
Amending Document – Proclamation of The Plant Health Act
First Effective Date: 30 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document notably sets out requirements for owners and occupants of land to “control, destroy and prevent the spread of [pests],” plants, and vegetative materials on their land that contribute to the spread of pests and related notification requirements (to the government, occupants, and persons who have access to the land. It also establishes a framework for appointing pest control officers and setting out their powers and responsibilities.
It also replaces the Pest Control Act.
United States – California
Amended Document – CCR Chapter 17-3-1 Air Resources Board
Amending Document – 2023 State Area Designations
First Effective Date: 1 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
The changes to this document, according to the government, notably “[amend] the Area Designations for State Ambient Air Quality Standards as applied to some state areas”, including the following area designations for ozone:
- “San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin from Nonattainment to Nonattainment–Transitional”;
- “Butte County, within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin, from Nonattainment to Nonattainment–Transitional”;
- “Sutter and Yuba Counties, within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin, from Nonattainment to Nonattainment–Transitional”;
- “Amador, Calaveras, and Placer Counties, within the Mountain Counties Air Basin, from Nonattainment to Nonattainment–Transitional”; and
- “Lake Tahoe Air Basin from Nonattainment to Nonattainment–Transitional.”
United States – Illinois
Amended Document – ILCS Act 415-5 Environmental Protection Act
Amending Document – AN ACT concerning safety.
First Effective Date: 1 June 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
The change to the document notably provides that “paint and paint-related waste” are not considered “special waste”, but those that “are hazardous waste [are] designated as a category of universal waste” subject to hazardous waste rules. It sets out rules for the management of such waste for “small quantity handlers of universal waste managing hazardous waste paint and paint-related waste”.
United States – New Hampshire
Amended Document – RSA Chapter X-147-B Hazardous Waste Cleanup Fund
Amending Document – AN ACT relative to prohibiting certain products with intentionally added PFAS and relative to civil actions for PFAS contamination, and relative to settlement of lawsuits against manufacturers of PFAS for impacts to public drinking water systems.
First Effective Date: 2 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
The change to the document notably provides that owners/operators of hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities are “strictly liable for containment, cleanup, restoration, or other remediation related to the release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous material” and that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) facilities “where a release or releases of PFAS at or from such PFAS facility have resulted in total combined concentrations in groundwater or surface water of 10,000 ng/l (parts per trillion) or greater of PFAS compounds for which ambient groundwater quality standards have been established” are subject to such liability rules.
United States – Ohio
Amended Document – OAC Chapter 3745-114 Toxic Air Contaminants
Amending Document – OAC Chapter 3745-114 Toxic Air Contaminants 2024-08-15 Amendments
First Effective Date: 15 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
According to the government, the change notably “update[s] formatting and add[s] 1-bromopropane to the list of toxic air contaminants outlined in this rule.”
United States – Texas
Amended Document – TAC Chapter 31-65 Wildlife
Amending Document – TAC Chapter 31-65 Wildlife 2024-08-09 Amendments
First Effective Date: 11 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
The change amends various provisions concerning wildlife management, including updates to hunting and possession rules, adjustments to open seasons and bag limits, and the implementation of mandatory harvest reporting for certain species. Additionally, it addresses specific wildlife conservation needs, such as chronic wasting disease prevention and the regulation of special hunting permits.2
European Union
New Principal Document – Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1975 of 19 July 2024 laying down rules for the application of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment and repealing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667
First Effective Date: 4 September 2024
Industry Sector: Water Transportation, Hardware Manufacturing
This document provides requirements for marine equipment to be used on EU ships, covering items such as life-saving appliances, pollution prevention equipment, and navigation equipment. It specifies design, construction, performance standards, and testing procedures that the equipment must meet for approval and use on board ships.*
It replaces the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667 of 8 August 2023 laying down rules for the application of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1157 (Text with EEA relevance). The new document primarily covers the same scope as the replaced document, with amendments focused on:
- specifying a new grace period until September 4, 2027, for certain marine equipment approved under the national requirements for type-approval in force before September 4, 2024, to continue to be placed on the market and onboard an EU ship; and
- updating lists of marine equipment to align with the most recent international standards and include new equipment that has become subject to these harmonized requirements, such as the introduction of new type approval, carriage and performance requirements for navigation lights controllers.
Brazil
New Principal Document – Law No. 14.948, of August 2, 2024 – Establishes the legal framework for low-carbon hydrogen; establishes the National Policy for Low-Carbon Hydrogen; establishes incentives for the low-carbon hydrogen industry; establishes the Special Incentive Regime for the Production of Low-Carbon Hydrogen (Rehidro); creates the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Development Program (PHBC); and amends Laws No. 9,427 of December 26, 1996, and 9,478 of August 6, 1997.
First Effective Date: 2 August 2024
Industry Sector: Utilities & Communications
This document applies to companies and consortia involved in hydrogen production and related activities in Brazil. It establishes a legal framework for low-carbon hydrogen, including certification requirements, incentives for production, and regulations for risk management. Key aspects include authorization processes, tax benefits, and the creation of a national hydrogen program.*
Brazil – Brasilia (Federal District)
New Principal Document – Normative Instruction No. 21, of August 5, 2024 – Establishes the procedures, criteria and restrictions for the issuance of an Environmental License by Adhesion and Commitment – LAC by BRASÍLIA AMBIENTAL.
First Effective Date: 8 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to businesses and their employees seeking environmental licensing through adhesion and commitment in the Federal District of Brazil. It outlines requirements for obtaining this type of license, including necessary declarations, technical responsibilities, and compliance with environmental regulations. The document emphasizes the importance of providing accurate information and adhering to established criteria.*
Brazil – Minas Gerais
Amended Document – Law No. 20.922, of 16/10/2013 – Provides for forest and Biodiversity Protection Policies in the State.
Amending Document – Law No. 24.944, of 02/08/2024 – Amends Law No. 20,922 of October 16, 2013 , which establishes forestry and biodiversity protection policies in the State, and Law No. 21,972 of January 21, 2016 , which establishes the State System of Environment and Water Resources – Sisema – and contains other provisions.
First Effective Date: 3 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
According to the Minas Gerais government, the change to this document notably “establishes that up to 50% of the value of the fine imposed for violation of environmental legislation may be converted into environmental preservation services and financing of socio-environmental projects, environmental education and environmental monitoring. The conversion takes into account the socio-environmental function of the property, support for family farming, small producers and the rights of traditional communities. The conversion will be signed by means of a term of commitment or adherence to a project approved by the competent environmental agency, and failure to comply within two years will oblige the person fined to pay the full fine, plus 50%.”
Croatia
New Principal Document – NN 86/2024-1513 Rulebook on implementation of intervention 72.01. Support for limitation in forest management (NATURA 2000, NKS) from the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of the Republic of Croatia 2023 – 2027.
First Effective Date: 25 July 2024
Industry Sector: Forestry & Logging
This document applies to forest owners and outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining financial support for restrictions on forest management in Natura 2000 areas and areas of national ecological importance in Croatia. It specifies the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries, eligible areas, compensation measures, selection criteria, application and payment procedures, as well as control mechanisms.*
New Principal Document – NN 88/2024-1546 Rulebook on the conditions and method of allocating funds from the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, as well as criteria and benchmarks for evaluating applications for allocating fund funds
First Effective Date: 3 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to legal and natural persons who are beneficiaries of funds from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. It outlines the conditions and procedures for granting funds, criteria for evaluating requests, eligible costs, and requirements for beneficiaries to ensure proper use of the funds for environmental protection and energy efficiency programs, projects, and activities.*
New Principal Document – NN 90/2024-1682 Rulebook on the implementation of measure II.10. “Aquaculture that provides environmental protection services”
First Effective Date: 1 August 2024
Industry Sector: Animal Production & Aquaculture
This document applies to aquaculture operators engaged in warm-water freshwater fish farming activities. It outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining financial support for implementing environmentally-friendly aquaculture practices in areas designated as part of the Natura 2000 network, which are subject to specific management requirements.*
New Principal Document – NN 92/2024-1707 Rulebook on the implementation of measure I.8.20. “Health protection, safety and energy efficiency”
First Effective Date: 3 August 2024
Industry Sector: Fishing, Hunting & Tracking
This document outlines the rules for implementing a measure aimed at improving health, safety, and energy efficiency on fishing vessels for beneficiaries in Croatia. It specifies eligibility conditions, obligations for beneficiaries, eligible and ineligible costs, financing intensity, application and payment request procedures, on-site inspections, and fund recovery rules.*
Denmark
New Principal Document – Executive Order of the Nature Conservation Act
First Effective Date: 1 July 1992
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document outlines the rules and regulations for the protection of nature and wildlife in Denmark. It establishes general protection measures for certain natural habitats, plant and animal species, as well as guidelines for public access to nature areas. The document also covers procedures for designating protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and penalties for violations.*
It replaces the Promulgation of the Nature Conservation Act. The change notably updates the conditions for those who can appeal decisions with regard to the environmental damage to protected species or habitats, focusing on anyone affected or potentially affected by environmental damage.
Hungary
New Principal Document – Government decree 235/2024. (VIII. 8.) on environmental protection requirements applicable in public procurement
First Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to contracting authorities conducting public procurement procedures. It outlines mandatory environmental requirements for purchasing various products and services, including paper, cleaning supplies, furniture, ICT equipment, and construction projects. Contracting authorities must incorporate specific environmental criteria into their procurement processes for these items.*
Malaysia
New Principal Document – Occupational Safety and Health (Fee for Registration of Competent Person and Registered Training Provider) Regulations 2024
Publication Date: 31 May 2024
Industry Sector:
This document applies to competent persons and registered training providers in Malaysia. It outlines fees for registration and renewal of these roles. Companies and individuals must pay processing and registration fees, with different rates specified. The Director General has discretion to waive fees in certain cases.*
Spain – Catalonia
New Principal Document – Decree 132/2024, of July 30, approving the Air Quality Plan, horizon 2027, the Short-term Action Plan for high levels of air pollution and the regulatory determinations to achieve air quality objectives
First Effective Date: 10 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to municipalities in Catalonia, businesses, and individuals. It outlines a plan to improve air quality, including requirements for low emission zones in cities, emission limits for industrial facilities, restrictions on vehicle access in certain areas, mandates for workplace mobility plans, creation of committees to oversee implementation.*
United Kingdom – Scotland
New Principal Document – Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024
First Effective Date: 9 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to Scottish authorities, businesses, and individuals. It outlines requirements for developing a circular economy, including waste reduction, recycling, and reuse. Key provisions include setting circular economy targets, restricting disposal of unsold goods, imposing charges for single-use items, and enhancing enforcement powers for environmental offences.*
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