What’s Trending In Compliance In April 2024

This blog was originally posted on 22nd April, 2024. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

At Compliance & Risks we help manufacturers, retailers and their supply chain partners to monitor and manage global regulations via C2P, our compliance knowledge management platform.

We break down some of the top compliance trends in April 2024 that are generating the most interest globally this month.

1. France: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Restrictions, Draft Law, February 2024

On 04 April 2024, the French National Assembly proposed the Draft Law to protect the public from the risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The draft proposes to tackle these risks by prohibiting the manufacture, import, export and placing on the market of certain products containing PFAS. The ban would take into account the availability of alternatives to PFAS for the products concerned. As such, it is proposed to prohibit, with effect from 1 January 2026 the manufacture, import, export and placing on the market, either free of charge or against payment, of the following products containing PFAS:

• Clothing, except protective clothing for security professionals;
• Waxes;
• Cosmetic products.

Likewise, the manufacture, import, export and placing on the market, free of charge or against payment, of any textile products containing PFAS would be prohibited from 1 January 2030. A list of derogations will be established by the State Council.

The draft also proposes to include PFAS into the list of sanitary controls to be carried out on water intended for human consumption. 

Article 2 of the draft proposes to include PFAS in the list of substances for which water pollution charges shall be paid to water agencies. The fees will support the costs incurred by local authorities to conduct clean-up operations. The fees will be paid by any person whose activity results in the discharge of PFAS in the environment. The amount will be determined based on the number of kg of substances discharged per year, either directly or via a collection network. Currently, the draft proposes to set the fee rate at 100 euros per gram of discharged substance. 

Finally, Article 3 proposes to create an additional tax of 1% on profits generated by industries releasing PFAS into the environment among companies liable for corporate tax that generate an annual income greater than €50,000,000.

The act is proposed to enter into force on the date following its official publication, unless specified otherwise by the legislator.

2. Italy: Adoption of a Single Model Environmental Declaration for 2024, Decree, 26 January 2024

By this Decree, the Italian President of the Council of Ministers adopted the Single Model Environmental Declaration for the year 2024.

The Model must be used to submit environmental declarations relating to the data of the previous calendar year. The Model must be submitted by waste generators and handlers by 1 July 2024.

The 2024 Model, as in the previous years, covers data relating to the generation and treatment of waste with regard to the following six categories: waste, end-of-life vehicles, packaging, E-waste, urban waste and manufacturers of EEE, as indicated in Annex 1. 

The Decree entered into force on 17 March 2024.

3. Israel: Energy Rating Label for Electrical Products, Notice, February 2024

The reform in electrical product imports mandates compliance with European import legal requirements for energy efficiency, standby power, and energy rating labels to import or market electrical products in Israel. This includes adhering to the energy rating label requirements specified in Amendment No. 3 to the ‘Energy Sources Law,’ 1989, ensuring alignment with European import regulations.

This document clarifies the symbols on European energy rating labels for relevant products. It emphasizes the importance of energy rating labels for products marketed in Israel and provides guidance from the Ministry of Energy on labeling models not sold in the European Union.

A public notice dated 13.2.2024 highlights updates on European regulations for electrical devices and their implications on product imports. This information aims to inform stakeholders about the changes in regulations and their impact on importing products.

“Energy Rating Label – Explanation for Consumers” provides comprehensive information on energy rating labels and their significance for consumers. 

4. Illinois (USA): Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Chemicals Consumer Protection, Senate Bill 2705, 2024

This Bill proposes to amend the PFAS Reduction Act. It requires manufacturers of products sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Illinois that contain intentionally added PFAS to submit specific information to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Additionally, if the Pollution Control Board has reason to believe that a product contains intentionally added PFAS and this product is offered for sale in Illinois, the Board may direct the manufacturer to provide the testing results demonstrating the amount of each of the PFAS in the product.

The sale of products specified in the bill is proposed to be prohibited from 1 January 2025 if the product contains intentionally added PFAS. The products include cookware, carpets and rugs, food packaging, juvenile products, apparel, etc.

Prohibitions on cosmetics, indoor textile furnishings and indoor upholstered furniture is proposed to commence on 1 January 2026. For outdoor textile furnishings and outdoor upholstered furniture, the proposed date of prohibition is 1 January 2027.

5. Israel: Standards Law, 5713-1953 – Proposed Amendment – (on new import route based on compliance with EU regulations) Bill, April 2024

On 1 April 2024, the Israeli Parliament updated the proposed amendments to the Standards Act so that goods that have been certified as compliant with the requirements of certain EU regulations may be imported without, for example, presenting proof of compliance with the requirements or performing laboratory tests upon entry into Israel.  

The Ministry of Industry and Economy has been actively working to remove barriers to adjusting official standards, including facilitating imports from developed countries by reducing laboratory tests during commercial imports and expanding exemption routes.

The Bill mentions an amendment that adjusts the import method to accommodate foreign marketing chains entering Israel. It also refers to the need for approval from the Commissioner of Standardization for certain imports.

There’s an expansion of exemption routes, reducing the need for attesting documents during imports. This is particularly relevant for ensuring the legality of imports into Israel, especially from developed countries and Europe.

A new approach is proposed for consumer product imports, emphasizing enforcement aspects upon arrival at the warehouse. This approach aims to streamline imports into Israel while ensuring compliance with European Union standards.

Despite gaps in import supervision, there’s a focus on sampling and assessing suspicious shipments. The Bill also discusses the importance of compliance with European Union standards and the proposed changes to facilitate imports.

Several associations and authorities, including those related to industry, commerce, engineering, and consumer protection, are mentioned in the document. 

There are technical amendments proposed within the legislation, including adjustments in wording and definitions to align with European Union regulations and standards.

The proposed changes aim to reduce bureaucratic barriers, promote competition, and encourage free trade between countries. This includes provisions allowing alternative reliance on official standards in certain cases.

The Bill proposes to set the beginning of this law on 1 September 2024. However, it is proposed to authorize the Minister of Economy and Industry, by decree, to postpone the start date for additional periods not exceeding six months each if convinced that the necessary preparations for implementing the provisions of this law, including those related to supervision and enforcement, testing capabilities, or compliance with European regulatory requirements, have not been completed.

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The top compliance trends in April 2024 is based on the most viewed regulations on C2P this month. If you would like to see C2P in action, join us for a bite-sized high-level demo to witness the true power behind C2P.

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