By: Cheryl Wong
Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes in May 2025. 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 – Alberta
- Canada – Quebec
- Canada – Saskatchewan
- United States – Federal
- United States – Colorado
- United States – Delaware
- United States – Maine
- United States – Massachusetts
- United States – Michigan
- Abu Dhabi
- Denmark
- France
- Philippines
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
Canada – Federal
Canada – Alberta
Amended Document – Wildlife Act
Amending Document – Wildlife Amendment Act, 2025
Publication Date: 15 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management and Maintenance
The change notably—
- clarifies the definition of “resident” by specifying that a resident is a person whose primary residence has been in Alberta for at least a 6-month period immediately preceding the relevant date;
- clarifies the definition of “tag” by specifying that it includes an electronic tag;
- clarifies the definition of “trap” by specifying that when used as a noun, it consists of a device, other than a weapon, designed and commonly used to capture, injure or kill animals of any kind and when used as a verb, it consists of using a trap to take, capture or kill or attempt to take, capture or kill an animal;
- clarifies the definition of “vehicle” by specifying that it also means a device other than a non-motorized mobility aid;
- authorizes a minor to hunt with a firearm without supervision if the minor is authorized to possess a firearm under the authority of a licence issued under the Firearms Act (Canada) and the firearm is used in accordance with any conditions attached to the licence;
- allows hunters to discharge a weapon from motorized boats if the boat is not in motion;
- removes the obligation for hunters to wear specific clothing during an open season;
- updates the provisions regarding the affixation of tags;
- incorporates by reference the Petty Trespass Act by specifying that a person shall not hunt wildlife or discharge a firearm on or over land to which entry is prohibited under this Act, unless a permission or express consent from the owner or occupier is given;
- clarifies the provisions regarding the prohibition against spoilage of skin and edible flesh by defining the term “edible portion”, adding specific provisions prohibiting the spoil of animal’s skin or edible portion for any person who has killed or is in possession of a dead bear or cougar and specifying that these provisions do not apply, unless the licence states that this section is to apply, to wildlife killed under a licence authorizing the collection of wildlife, or the control of wildlife depredation;
- allows hunters to use leashed dogs to track wounded big game animals under certain conditions;
- specifies that a person shall not be accompanied by domestic sheep or goats while hunting in an area prescribed in the regulations as an area where doing so is prohibited;
- allows a person to be in possession of a wildlife or controlled animal if the wildlife, except prescribed wildlife, is being transported directly to a wildlife rehabilitation facility operating under a valid permit, or a veterinary facility;
- specifies that when an officer or guardian requires a person to produce anything under this section, that person shall forthwith produce it to the officer or guardian in the form it was issued under this Act, and that if anything that is required to be produced under this section was only issued under this Act in an electronic form, a person must produce it in that electronic form;
- clarifies the items prohibited for hunting all wildlife by adding an exception for laser aiming devices that do not illuminate the target;
- clarifies the items prohibited for hunting big game by changing the calibre of ammunitions from less than .23 to less than .22 calibre, and changing the provisions regarding bows, by prohibiting bows that requires a pull of at least 35 pounds rather than 40 pounds; and
- clarifies the prohibited items for hunting fur‑bearing animals by prohibiting leg‑holds or foot‑hold traps with a jawspread of more than 9 inches or with toothed jaws.
New Principal Document – Manual 031: Guidelines for Pilot Applications for New Technology or Processes
First Effective Date: 20 May 2025
Industry Sector: Mining and Minerals Industry, Oil and Gas Industry
This document applies to corporations and individuals holding a business associate code that allows them to apply for licenses or approvals from the AER. It provides guidance on how to apply for and obtain approval for field-level pilots testing new technology or processes in energy and mineral development sectors, including application requirements, evaluation criteria, and reporting obligations.*
Canada – Quebec
Amended Document – Regulation respecting occupational health and safety
Amending Document – Regulation to amend the Hazardous Products Information Regulation, the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, the Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines and the Regulation respecting safety and health in foundry works
First Effective Date: 5 June 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management and Maintenance
According to the Government, the change incorporates by reference an “up-to-date and evolving standard for compressed breathing air used in respiratory protective apparatuses”, and updates the list of hazardous products. The change also “postpones the coming into force of the requirements pertaining to the certificate of qualification in arboriculture to 8 June 2026” and adjusts “the provision applicable to the minimum concentration of oxygen in the air required in confined spaces within establishments”.
More information about the change, including any additional effective dates, is available here.
Saskatchewan
Amended Document – The Environmental Management and Protection (Saskatchewan Environmental Code Adoption) Regulations
Amending Document – The Environmental Management and Protection (Saskatchewan Environmental Code Adoption) Amendment Regulations, 2025
First Effective Date: 14 May 2025
Industry Sector: Utilities and Communications
The change adds new obligations for every person who owns or intends to establish a compost facility which notably—
- require every owner of a compost facility to provide a notice to the minister if the owner intends to establish a compost facility or is operating a compost facility pursuant to a permit for a compost facility that was in force on the day before May 14, 2025;
- specify which permit holders the provisions apply to;
- provide that every owner of a compost facility shall ensure that any certificate provided by a qualified person in accordance with the regulation satisfies the requirements set out in the Qualified Person Certification Standard;
- provide the obligations for every owner of a compost facility required to perform environmental monitoring regarding the environmental samples;
- provide that every owner of a compost facility shall ensure that specific records are maintained and retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of creation, and that certain records must be preserved for the entire operational lifetime of the compost facility;
- add reporting obligations for every owner of a compost facility;
- prohibit owners of a compost facility from using any material in composting other than a feedstock or an amendment listed in the Compost Facilities Acceptable Feedstock and Amendment Standard, unless otherwise approved by the minister;
- add provisions regarding the closure of a compost facility;
- require every owner of a compost facility and every person who intends to establish a compost facility to prepare an environmental protection plan;
- add specific requirements for owners of a compost facility accepting less than 100 m3 of only leaf and yard waste annually;
- add requirements and criteria regarding the location, design, construction, and operation of a compost facility; and
- set out requirements regarding the environmental monitoring plan.
United States – Federal
New Principal Document – 50 CFR 217 Subpart H Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan, Oregon and Washington
First Effective Date: 1 November 2027
Industry Sector: Public Administration and Institutions, Water Transportation
This document applies to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and their authorized personnel. It outlines regulations for incidental taking of marine mammals during construction activities near the Columbia River mouth, requiring proper monitoring by qualified observers, implementation of mitigation measures, and detailed reporting of all marine mammal encounters.*
Amended Document – 40 CFR 705 Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Certain Per- and Polyfluoroalkl Substances
Amending Document – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Change to Submission Period
First Effective Date: 13 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the changes notably “[amend] the data submission period for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) [perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] reporting rule by changing the start date for submissions and making corresponding changes to the end dates for the submission period, i.e., the data submission period begins on April 13, 2026, and ends on October 13, 2026, with an alternate end date for small manufacturers reporting exclusively as article importers of April 13, 2027.”
United States – Colorado
Amended Document – CCR Rule 1001-5 Regulation Number 3 Stationary Source Permitting and Air Pollutant Emission Notice Requirements
Amending Document – CCR Rule 1001-5 Regulation Number 3 Stationary Source Permitting and Air Pollutant Emission Notice Requirements 2025-05-25 Amendments
First Effective Date: 14 June 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management and Maintenance
According to the government, the changes notably “establish a Toxic Air Contaminants (TAC) Reporting Program, […] revising, refining, and expanding existing hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions reporting requirements. [New rules] require owners and operators with Title V operating permits, synthetic minor source permits, and certain minor source permits or permit-exempt sources to report emissions of TACs from their facilities annually.” The changes also concern “reporting of criteria pollutants from these sources so that both categories of emissions can be reported on a consistent basis”, and revise “fees associated with Air Pollutant Emissions Notice (APEN) submittals, permit processing, annual criteria pollutant emissions, and annual HAP emissions”.
United States – Delaware
New Principal Document – DAC 3-1204 Nutrient Management Turf Specific Regulations
First Effective Date: 11 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document applies to commercial nutrient handlers who apply fertilizers to turf for a fee. It establishes certification requirements and sets limits on nitrogen and phosphorus applications, including specific application rates, setback distances from waterways, and mandatory record-keeping of fertilizer applications.*
United States – Maine
Amended Document – MRS Subchapter 38-3-1 Environmental Protection Board
Amending Document – An Act to Support Removal of Overboard Discharge Systems
First Effective Date: 6 August 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
The change notably provides for the availability of grants for residential and commercial property owners to replace overboard discharge systems (wastewater systems that discharge directly into bodies of water) with alternative wastewater treatment systems.
New Principal Document – CMR Chapter 06-096-90 Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
First Effective Date: 6 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management and Maintenance
This document applies to manufacturers, retailers, and distributors in Maine. It outlines requirements regarding products containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including sales prohibitions, notification requirements, and fees. Manufacturers must notify authorities about PFAS-containing products and pay associated fees, while retailers face restrictions on selling such products.*
United States – Massachusetts
New Principal Document – CMR 310-78 Ban of covered products containing certain flame retardants
First Effective Date: 9 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document applies to manufacturers and retailers. It prohibits the sale, distribution, and import of certain products (bedding, carpeting, children’s products, furniture, window treatments) containing specific flame retardants above 1,000 parts per million. Businesses must maintain compliance records and allow inspections by authorities.*
United States – Michigan
Amended Document – MAC Hazardous Waste Management
Amending Document – MAC Hazardous Waste Management 2025-05-15 Amendments
First Effective Date: 5 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the changes notably “address federal revisions that […] relate to the safe management of recalled airbags, pharmaceutical wastes, and the modernization of the test methodology for ignitable liquids.” The changes also “address revisions [that] pertain to exemptions from hazardous waste rules, the commingling of hazardous wastes, groundwater monitoring, and consistency within these rules and other state programs, where possible.”
More information about the change, including any additional effective dates, is available here.
Abu Dhabi
New Principal Document – Decision of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi No. (5) of 2025 issuing the regulatory framework for environmental emergency preparedness and response in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
First Effective Date: 30 April 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management and Maintenance
This document applies to facilities and projects requiring environmental permits in Abu Dhabi, including those in free zones. It outlines environmental emergency preparedness and response requirements, mandating businesses to develop response plans, maintain trained staff, provide necessary equipment, and report incidents to authorities within specified timeframes.*
Denmark
New Principal Document – Executive Order on emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from marine diesel engines installed on ships and NOx emission control areas
First Effective Date: 20 May 2025
Industry Sector: Water Transportation
This document applies to Danish ships and foreign vessels in Danish territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. It establishes NOx emission limits for marine diesel engines above 130 kW installed on ships, with specific requirements for different engine classes based on construction dates and operation in NOx emission control areas.*
France
First Effective Date: 7 May 2025
Industry Sector: Utilities and Communications, Food Industry, Animal Production and Aquaculture
This document applies to operators of slaughterhouses and wastewater treatment facilities classified as environmental protection installations. It establishes general requirements for these facilities, particularly regarding environmental protection measures and compliance with European best available techniques for slaughterhouses and animal by-product processing industries.*
Philippines
New Principal Document – Guidelines for the Standard Design and Specifications for Temporary Accommodation and Welfare Facilities for Construction Workers
First Effective Date: 16 May 2025
Industry Sector: Construction
This document applies to employers, project owners, and contractors in the construction industry. It outlines requirements for providing temporary accommodation and welfare facilities for construction workers, including standards for living quarters, personal facilities (toilets, dressing rooms), and communal areas (kitchens, dining areas). Employers must ensure safety, maintenance, and bear all associated costs.*
New Principal Document – Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058
First Effective Date: 16 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management and Maintenance
This document applies to all employees and employers across economic activities in the Philippines, including those in special economic zones and government-owned corporations without original charters. It outlines comprehensive occupational safety and health standards, requiring businesses to implement safety programs, provide protective equipment, maintain health facilities, employ safety officers, and ensure proper reporting of workplace incidents. Employees have rights to refuse unsafe work and report accidents without retaliation.*
It replaces Implementing Rules And Regulations Of Republic Act No. 11058 ”An Act Strengthening Compliance With Occupational Safety And Health Standards And Providing Penalties For Violations Thereof”. The changes notably:
- introduce specific requirements for temporary accommodation and welfare facilities for construction workers;
- design a compliance program to incentivize qualified employers and employees to recognize their efforts in ensuring compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) and common labor regulations;
- adjust penalties for different OSHS violations so that they are proportional to the severity of the offenses;
- provide detailed and sector-specific OSHS to address the needs of various industries, such as retail, food, agriculture, business process outsourcing, construction, energy, fishing, healthcare, and mining; and
- introduce specific templates for occupational safety and health programs tailored to the size of the establishment.
Thailand
New Principal Document – Announcement of the Pollution Control Department on the Criteria for Considering the Contamination Level of Imported Waste Paper, B.E. 2568 (2025)
First Effective Date: 14 May 2025
Industry Sector: Printing and Pulp and Paper Industry
This document applies to paper waste importers in Thailand. It establishes criteria for acceptable contamination levels in imported waste paper, requiring less than 2-3% non-paper contaminants. Importers must ensure shipments are free of hazardous materials, chemicals, radioactive substances, and infectious waste.*
United Kingdom
Amended Document – Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (recast) (Text with EEA relevance)
Amending Document – The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2025
First Effective Date: 21 May 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management and Maintenance
The changes, according to the Government of the United Kingdom, remove the entries for Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, making the prohibitions concerning the manufacturing, placing on the market, and use of those substances in Great Britain no longer applicable.
Past months’ top changes are available here: April 2025, March 2025, February 2025, January 2025, December 2024, November 2024
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