Top global EHS regulatory changes – October 2024

By: Sydney Sybydlo

Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes in October 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 – Newfoundland & Labrador
• Canada – Nova Scotia
• United States – Federal
• United States – Texas
• United States – Utah
• European Union
• Austria
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Philippines
• Singapore
• United Arab Emirates – Dubai
• United Kingdom – Scotland

Canada – Federal

Amended Document – Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations
Amending Document – Regulations Amending the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Laser Products)

First Effective Date: 9 October 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry

According to the government, the changes to the document notably modernize “requirements for laser scanners and demonstration lasers,” specifically, by:

• expanding the document’s applicability to include “all laser products except for medical devices […], non-operable laser components and repair parts,” among others;
• incorporating by reference an international standard for laser products;
• introducing a laser product classification system based on the products’ degree of hazard;
• “establish[ing] testing methods and rules to determine accessible emission levels and assign laser products to a particular hazard class;”
• “requir[ing] built-in engineering safety features that are appropriate for the laser class to manage exposure to hazardous levels of radiation;”
• “establish[ing] labelling requirements and accompanying information to support compliance monitoring, verification, and enforcement activities;” and
• making small “deviations from the IEC standards to reflect the Canadian context.”

Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador

Amended Document – Management of Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulations
Amending Document – Management of Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulations (Amendment)

First Effective Date: 4 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry

The change to this document updates the global warming potential values for various reportable greenhouse gases, used in calculating reporting values and quantities.

Canada – Nova Scotia

New Principal Document – Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations

First Effective Date: 1 April 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to building owners, designers, and constructors in Nova Scotia. It outlines accessibility requirements for buildings, including barrier-free design standards, entrances, paths of travel, washrooms, and other facilities. Key requirements include providing accessible features in public spaces and certain residential occupancies.*

It replaces a previous document with the same name. According to the government, the new document incorporates by reference the 2020 national codes (National Building Code of Canada 2020, National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020, National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020).

United States – Federal

Amended Document – 40 CFR 82 Subpart A Production and Consumption Controls
Amending Document – Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Updates Related to the Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances as Process Agents

First Effective Date: 12 November 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry

According to the government, the change to this document “establishes recordkeeping and reporting requirements for uses of ozone-depleting substances as process agents and updates related definitions.”

New Principal Document – 40 CFR 139 Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels

First Effective Date: 8 November 2024
Industry Sector: Water Transportation

This document applies to vessels operating in U.S. waters. It outlines regulations for managing discharges from vessels, including ballast water, bilge water, and graywater. Key requirements include implementing best management practices, meeting discharge standards, and following specific procedures in protected waters. The document also details state petition processes for modifying standards.*

New Principal Document – 49 CFR 671 Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection

First Effective Date: 2 December 2024
Industry Sector: Rail Transportation

This document applies to rail transit agencies and their workers. It outlines requirements for roadway worker protection programs, including:

• Establishing safety procedures and redundant protections
• Providing job safety briefings
• Implementing training and qualification programs
• Conducting compliance monitoring*

New Principal Document – 40 CFR 84 Subpart C Management of Regulated Substances

First Effective Date: 10 December 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to owners and operators of refrigerant-containing appliances and fire suppression equipment. It outlines requirements for leak detection, repair, and reporting for refrigerant-containing appliances. It also covers regulations for fire suppression equipment, including technician training and disposal procedures. Additionally, it addresses reclamation standards and disposable cylinder handling.*

Amended Document – Standards for the Management of Specific Hazardous Wastes and Specific Types of Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
Amending Document – Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020

First Effective Date: 10 December 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

The change to the document adds standards for handling ignitable spent refrigerant recycles for reuse that “apply to lower flammability spent refrigerants [(“spent refrigerant[s] that [are] not considered highly flammable”)] where the refrigerant exhibits the hazardous waste characteristic of ignitability […] and is being recycled for reuse in the United States.”

Amended Document – 26 CFR 1 Income Taxes
Amending Document – Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit

First Effective Date: 27 December 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

According to the government, the change to this document adds rules concerning “the advanced manufacturing production credit […] to incentivize the production of eligible components within the United States. Eligible components include certain solar energy components, wind energy components, inverters, qualifying battery components, and applicable critical minerals.” The rules also contain recordkeeping and reporting requirements for producers of eligible components.

United States – Texas

Amended Document – TAC Chapter 25-289 Radiation Control
Amending Document – TAC Chapter 25-289 Radiation Control 2024-10-04 Amendments

First Effective Date: 23 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

According to the government, the changes:

• update rules regarding “the use of digital output personnel dosimeters as an acceptable individual monitoring device”;
• “clarify or correct references and include a requirement to report transactions involving nationally tracked sources”;
• “qualify training requirements”;
• “update license application processes concerning use of field stations, material storage, and approved methods for waste disposal”;
• “update Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) requirements and transportation exemptions for medical and veterinary licensees”;
• “identify conditions under which medical licensees may revise their radiation protection programs without the department’s approval”;
• “update contamination control criteria and methods”; and
• “clarify record retention requirements related to the receipt, transfer, and disposal of radioactive material and devices and ensure compatibility with [United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)] requirements not specifically mentioned in the [Review Summary Sheets for Regulation Amendments (RATS Identification)].”

United States – Utah

New Principal Document – UAC Rule R315-322 Solid Waste Surface Impoundment Requirements

First Effective Date: 15 October 2024
Industry Sector: Utilities & Communications

This document creates requirements for solid waste surface impoundments, including location standards, facility requirements, standards for performance, standards for design, standards for operation and requirements for closure and post-closure.

European Union

New Principal Document – Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2620 of 30 July 2024 supplementing Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the requirements for considering that greenhouse gases have become permanently chemically bound in a product

First Effective Date: 24 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Management

This document lays out requirements for considering that CO2 has become permanently chemically bound in products. It specifies that CO2 must remain chemically bound in long-lived products like mineral carbonates used in construction materials for at least several centuries under normal use and disposal conditions to be considered permanently bound.*

Austria

New Principal Document – Charging Point Data Regulation

First Effective Date: 25 September 2024
Industry Sector: Road Transportation, Utilities & Communications

This document applies to operators of publicly accessible charging points for electric vehicles in Austria. It outlines requirements for these operators to report static and dynamic data about their charging points to E-Control. This includes location details, technical specifications, pricing information, and real-time availability status.*

New Principal Document – SOGL Data Exchange-V 2024

First Effective Date: 1 December 2024
Industry Sector: Utilities & Communications

This document applies to transmission system operators, distribution system operators, and significant grid users. It outlines requirements for data exchange between these parties, including real-time data, structural data, availability data, and schedules for power generation and consumption facilities. The document specifies thresholds and types of data to be shared.*

Croatia

New Principal Document – NN 108/2024-1855 Rulebook on the method of performing demining operations, quality control, general and technical inspection and marking of suspected mine areas

First Effective Date: 26 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document sets out requirements for conducting demining operations, quality control, general and technical surveys, and marking of mine-suspected areas. It specifies methods for demining, safety distances, protective equipment, first aid procedures, and quality control processes for demining activities.*

Denmark

Amended Document – Executive Order on the execution of the work
Amending Document – Executive Order amending the order on the execution of the work

First Effective Date: 1 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

The changes to the document notably introduce specific protection for pregnant employees with regard to night work, limiting it to a maximum of once per week and requiring the employer to implement this arrangement as soon as possible and within a maximum of 14 days of becoming aware of the pregnancy.

Hungary

Amended Document – VM decree 4/2011. (I. 14.) on air pollution level limit values ​​and emission limit values ​​of stationary air pollution point sources
Amending Document – EM decree 18/2024. (X. 4.) 4/2011 on the limit values ​​of the air pollution level and the emission limit values ​​of stationary air pollution point sources . (I. 14.) VM Decree , as well as 26/2014 on the limitation of the emission of volatile organic compounds from certain activities. (III. 25.) on amending the VM decree

First Effective Date: 5 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry

The change to this document notably-

• tightens air emission limit values for certain substances in industrial facilities;
• requires facilities with an environmental permit but without an occupancy permit to implement the new emission limit values by January 1, 2027;
• requires facilities with both an environmental and occupancy permit to implement the new emission limit values by January 1, 2028; and
• requires operators to update their environmental permits with the required changes by December 31, 2027.

Amended Document – VM decree 26/2014. (III. 25.) on limiting the emission of volatile organic compounds from certain activities
Amending Document – EM decree 18/2024. (X. 4.) 4/2011 on the limit values ​​of the air pollution level and the emission limit values ​​of stationary air pollution point sources . (I. 14.) VM Decree , as well as 26/2014 on the limitation of the emission of volatile organic compounds from certain activities. (III. 25.) on amending the VM decree

First Effective Date: 5 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry

The changes to this document notably-

• tightens volatile organic compound (VOC) limit values for certain substances in industrial facilities;
• requires facilities with an environmental permit but without an occupancy permit to implement the new VOC limit values by January 1, 2027;
• requires facilities with both an environmental and occupancy permit to implement the new VOC limit values by January 1, 2028; and
• requires operators to update their environmental permits with the required changes by December 31, 2027.

Ireland

New Principal Document – European Communities (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading) Regulations 2024

First Effective Date: 19 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to operators of installations, shipping companies, and regulated entities involved in greenhouse gas emissions trading. It outlines requirements for monitoring and reporting emissions, obtaining permits, surrendering allowances, and complying with verification procedures. Key obligations include submitting annual emissions reports, maintaining accurate records, and paying penalties for non-compliance.*

It replaces European Communities (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading) Regulations 2012. The new document primarily covers the same scope as the repealed document concerning greenhouse gas emissions trading, with amendments focused on dividing the regulations into three main chapters to provide more specific rules for stationary installations, the maritime sector, buildings, road transport and additional sectors. In particular, the changes notably:

• expand the emissions trading scheme to the maritime sector to cover shipping;
• introduce requirements for buildings, road transport, and additional sectors, such as:
  • requiring regulated entities to have a greenhouse gas emissions permit to conduct certain activities as of January 1, 2025;
  • specifying the obligations to surrender allowances; and
  • establishing the monitoring and reporting requirements;
• provide a clearer mechanism for enforcement, such as administrative procedures, and penalties for failure to comply with the greenhouse gas emissions trading requirements; and
• remove the provisions in relation to the criteria for national allocation plans.

New Principal Document – Planning and Development Act 2024

First Effective Date: 18 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to planning authorities, regional assemblies, and the government. It outlines procedures for national, regional and local planning in Ireland, including requirements for development plans, environmental assessments, and public consultation. It establishes frameworks for sustainable development and land use planning at different levels.*

It replaces the Planning and Development Act, 2000. The new document, according to the Irish government, is “to consolidate and revise the law relating to planning and development; to provide for proper planning and sustainable development in the interests of the common good; [and] to provide for the licensing of events and control of funfairs […]”. In particular, it:

• specifies and consolidates processes for obtaining different development consents, including standard planning applications, applications made directly to the Commission, applications for alterations, extensions and revocations, and local authority and state authority development;
• restates provisions in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the procedures for conducting EIA and Appropriate Assessments;
• specifies the conditions where the development can be considered to have imperative reasons of overriding public interest to include within the scope “the construction or operation of plants producing energy from renewable sources”, “the storage of energy produced by such plants” or “the connection of such plants to electricity, gas or heat grids”; and
• sets out rules in relation to the Urban Development Zones.

New Principal Document – European Communities (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) Regulations 2024

First Effective Date: 25 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to importers and customs representatives in Ireland. It outlines requirements for a carbon border adjustment mechanism, including:
– Obtaining authorization as a CBAM declarant
– Reporting embedded emissions in imported goods
– Surrendering CBAM certificates
– Paying penalties for non-compliance*

Italy

Amended Document – Legislative Decree 9 June 2020, n. 47 Implementation of Directive (EU) 2018/410 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2018, which amends Directive 2003/87 / EC to support a more cost-effective reduction of emissions and promote investments in favor of low carbon emissions, as well as adaptation of national legislation to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2392 relating to air transport activities and to the decision (EU) 2015/1814 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2015 relating to establishment and operation of a market stabilizing reserve.
Amending Document – Legislative Decree 10 September 2024, n. 147 Implementation of Directive (EU) 2023/958 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC as regards the contribution of aviation to the Union economy-wide emission reduction target and ensuring adequate implementation of a global market-based measure, as well as Directive (EU) 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 on the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme

First Effective Date: 15 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

The changes to this document notably:

• update certain definitions concerning areas of emissions trading, maritime transport, air transport, and energy taxation;
• clarify the scope of air transport emissions rules, providing more specific exemptions;
• introduce provisions for the allocation of free emission quotas for aircraft operators administered by Italy under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS);
• require aircraft operators to update their monitoring plans to include the effects of air transport activities that are not related to CO2 emissions;
• establish maritime transport emissions rules, such as the quotas for shipping companies;
• introduce provisions for the assignment of shipping companies to Italy for compliance purposes under the EU ETS;
• introduce new requirements for obtaining an emissions authorization, such as the obligation to return emissions quotas by the deadline, the obligation to return any excess free quotas received, and exceptions for urban waste incineration plants;
• specify the requirements for entities operating in Italy to hold an account in the Union registry for trading emissions quotas; and
• update the categories of regulated activities.

Amended Document – Legislative Decree 9 April 2008, n. 81 Implementation of Article 1 of the Law of 3 August 2007, n. 123, concerning the protection of health and safety in the workplace
Amending Document – Legislative Decree 4 September 2024, n. 135 Implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/431 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2022 amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

First Effective Date: 11 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

The changes to this document notably introduce protection against occupational exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant substances, for example by updating the scope of hazardous conditions in which the exemption from the obligation to prepare a risk assessment document or appoint a supervisor does not apply where carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances or biological agents are present; updating the sanctions applicable to employers and managers in relation to these substances; including these substances in the scope of health surveillance; and providing more detailed requirements for their handling and control in the workplace.

Philippines

New Principal Document – Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers

First Effective Date: 10 October 2024
Industry Sector: Water Transportation

This document applies to Filipino seafarers. It outlines comprehensive rights and protections for seafarers, including fair employment terms, safe working conditions, and access to education and training. It also establishes requirements for shipowners and manning agencies, such as providing proper accommodations, ensuring crew competency, and facilitating repatriation when necessary.*

Singapore

Amended Document – Building Control Act
Amending Document – Building Control (Amendment) Act 2024

Publication Date: 30 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

The change to this document notably (a) requires owners of buildings built in a year that will be prescribed (called “Type 1 buildings”), to make a report on energy consumption of the building containing specific information and submit to the government, and (b) sets out the obligations of owners of buildings subject to an “mandatory energy improvement notice” issued by the government.

United Arab Emirates – Dubai

New Principal Document – Law No. (18) of 2024 regulating waste management in the Emirate of Dubai

First Effective Date: 9 November 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to all areas of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones. It regulates waste management, prohibiting disposal in unauthorized locations. Businesses must obtain permits for waste-related activities, separate hazardous waste, and follow transportation and disposal guidelines. The document also promotes recycling and reuse initiatives.*

It repeals the Local Order No. (7) of 2002 regarding waste disposal sites in the Emirate of Dubai.

United Kingdom – Scotland

New Principal Document – The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

First Effective Date: 1 April 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance

This document applies to businesses and individuals in Scotland. It prohibits the supply of single-use vapes in the course of business. Enforcement officers are granted powers to investigate potential violations. Offenses can result in fines or imprisonment. Businesses and employees must comply with enforcement officers’ requirements during investigations.*

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