On May 1, three members of the D.C. Council introduced a new bill, titled the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026, that would create a pathway for the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the District of Columbia. Reflecting the Council’s approach to AV deployment, the lead sponsor of the legislation has said that “we didn’t need to be the first city to bring driverless cars to our streets, but I don’t want us to be the last.”
https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/Capital-Building.jpg400600Adam M. Ravivhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngAdam M. Raviv2026-05-14 12:19:472026-05-14 12:19:47D.C. Council Proposes a Costly Path for Autonomous Vehicles in the Nation’s Capital
On April 29, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took a rare step: It issued a final decision ordering a recall of vehicle equipment—in this case, air bag inflators manufactured in China that allegedly caused numerous deaths and serious injuries by exploding during a crash. This was the agency’s first recall order in decades and illustrates the unusual situation in which the agency found itself.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Adam M. Ravivhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngAdam M. Raviv2026-05-11 11:16:122026-05-11 11:16:12NHTSA Issues the First Defect Recall Order in Decades
On April 28, the California Department of Motor Vehicles released the finalized version of the state’s new autonomous vehicle regulations. More than a year in development and shaped by extensive public debate, these rules carry significant implications for companies that manufacture and operate autonomous vehicles in the nation’s most populous state.
https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/AdobeStock_154170081.jpg400600Adam M. Ravivhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngAdam M. Raviv2026-05-08 10:07:362026-05-11 09:57:59California Finalizes a New Regulatory Regime for Testing and Deploying Autonomous Vehicles
Companies preparing to comply with packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements across the United States, as well as textile producers and those in their supply chains, should update their strategies based on recent and upcoming developments across states with new programs.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Caleb J. Bowershttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngCaleb J. Bowers2026-05-05 13:04:142026-05-05 13:04:14Extended Producer Responsibility Deadlines Are Here: What Companies Complying With Packaging and Textile EPR Need to Do Now
The Chinese government recently took a significant step toward establishing nationwide standards for autonomous vehicles. On April 13, the public comment period closed on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s new proposal for mandatory safety standards. Titled Safety Requirements for Autonomous Driving Systems of Intelligent Connected Vehicles, the 62-page proposal, if finalized, would further the country’s ambitions to be the world leader in autonomous vehicles (AVs).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for heat, removing a specific inspection-growth target that had been part of the initiative when the Program first launched back in 2022. In OSHA’s April 10, 2026 news release, it announced that the revised directive took effect immediately and will remain in place for five years. OSHA made a few changes to the Program, including removing outdated background information, updating Program links, and reorganizing appendices addressing heat program evaluation and citation guidance.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Alana Gendersonhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngAlana Genderson2026-04-17 09:55:012026-04-17 09:55:01Hot Off the Press: What Employers Should Know About OSHA’s Updated National Emphasis Program for Heat Illness
A new statute in Washington state allows certain manufacturers of electric vehicles to sell their vehicles directly to consumers, rather than through independent dealers. The law, passed as SB 6354, makes a meaningful change to the state’s automotive dealer-franchise framework through a carefully crafted exception. It allows a manufacturer to own, operate, or control a dealership selling its own vehicles and further allows the manufacturer to offer related financing, leasing, and servicing.
https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/shutterstock_223654213.jpg400600Adam M. Ravivhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngAdam M. Raviv2026-04-16 09:03:432026-04-15 17:24:53Washington State Allows Direct Sales of Electric Vehicles
In the latest attempt to unify federal agencies’ independent application of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new guidance to federal agencies for establishing, revising, adopting, and applying NEPA categorical exclusions (CatEx or CatExes)—those “major federal actions” that do not “normally” significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Caleb J. Bowershttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngCaleb J. Bowers2026-04-15 09:04:092026-04-14 15:04:54New Guidance to Federal Agencies Adopting and Applying Categorical Exclusions to Environmental Review
D.C. Council Proposes a Costly Path for Autonomous Vehicles in the Nation’s Capital
On May 1, three members of the D.C. Council introduced a new bill, titled the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026, that would create a pathway for the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the District of Columbia. Reflecting the Council’s approach to AV deployment, the lead sponsor of the legislation has said that “we didn’t need to be the first city to bring driverless cars to our streets, but I don’t want us to be the last.”
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
NHTSA Issues the First Defect Recall Order in Decades
On April 29, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took a rare step: It issued a final decision ordering a recall of vehicle equipment—in this case, air bag inflators manufactured in China that allegedly caused numerous deaths and serious injuries by exploding during a crash. This was the agency’s first recall order in decades and illustrates the unusual situation in which the agency found itself.
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
California Finalizes a New Regulatory Regime for Testing and Deploying Autonomous Vehicles
On April 28, the California Department of Motor Vehicles released the finalized version of the state’s new autonomous vehicle regulations. More than a year in development and shaped by extensive public debate, these rules carry significant implications for companies that manufacture and operate autonomous vehicles in the nation’s most populous state.
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
Extended Producer Responsibility Deadlines Are Here: What Companies Complying With Packaging and Textile EPR Need to Do Now
Companies preparing to comply with packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements across the United States, as well as textile producers and those in their supply chains, should update their strategies based on recent and upcoming developments across states with new programs.
(more…)
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
Maureen F. Gorsen
Century City
maureen.gorsen@sidley.com
Riley Desper
Washington, D.C.
China Moves Toward Nationwide Autonomous Vehicle Regulation
The Chinese government recently took a significant step toward establishing nationwide standards for autonomous vehicles. On April 13, the public comment period closed on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s new proposal for mandatory safety standards. Titled Safety Requirements for Autonomous Driving Systems of Intelligent Connected Vehicles, the 62-page proposal, if finalized, would further the country’s ambitions to be the world leader in autonomous vehicles (AVs).
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
Hot Off the Press: What Employers Should Know About OSHA’s Updated National Emphasis Program for Heat Illness
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for heat, removing a specific inspection-growth target that had been part of the initiative when the Program first launched back in 2022. In OSHA’s April 10, 2026 news release, it announced that the revised directive took effect immediately and will remain in place for five years. OSHA made a few changes to the Program, including removing outdated background information, updating Program links, and reorganizing appendices addressing heat program evaluation and citation guidance.
(more…)
Alana Genderson
Washington, D.C.
alana.genderson@sidley.com
Rachel F. Wittenberg
Chicago
rachel.wittenberg@sidley.com
Washington State Allows Direct Sales of Electric Vehicles
A new statute in Washington state allows certain manufacturers of electric vehicles to sell their vehicles directly to consumers, rather than through independent dealers. The law, passed as SB 6354, makes a meaningful change to the state’s automotive dealer-franchise framework through a carefully crafted exception. It allows a manufacturer to own, operate, or control a dealership selling its own vehicles and further allows the manufacturer to offer related financing, leasing, and servicing.
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
Rachel F. Wittenberg
Chicago
rachel.wittenberg@sidley.com
New Guidance to Federal Agencies Adopting and Applying Categorical Exclusions to Environmental Review
In the latest attempt to unify federal agencies’ independent application of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new guidance to federal agencies for establishing, revising, adopting, and applying NEPA categorical exclusions (CatEx or CatExes)—those “major federal actions” that do not “normally” significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
(more…)
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
Peter Whitfield
Washington, D.C.
pwhitfield@sidley.com
Brooklyn Hildebrandt
Los Angeles
bhildebrandt@sidley.com
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