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 10:07:362026-05-08 10:07:36California 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 OSHA made a few changes to the Program, including removing outdated background information, updating Program links, and reorganizing appendices addressing heat program evaluation and citation guidance.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
Companies preparing to comply with California’s SB 253 and submit their first required disclosures in August 2026 received additional guidance this week from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). At a public workshop on March 23, CARB outlined proposed approaches under its developing rulemaking, including options for phasing in compliance over time, and solicited public feedback on those concepts. The following article summarizes the key developments from that workshop.
https://environmentalhealthsafetybrief.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/03/SanFrancisco_PPT_Stnd_shutterstock_119642419-scaled.jpg15362560Caleb J. Bowershttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngCaleb J. Bowers2026-03-26 09:45:562026-03-26 09:45:56SB 253 Update: CARB Still Wrestling With Draft Regulations in March 2026
On March 16, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published two proposedrulemakings designed to ease the path for manufacturing autonomous vehicles and deploying them on public roads. Both proposals would amend existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) by removing requirements for certain safety equipment that may be unnecessary in vehicles without a human driver. These rulemakings represent an incremental step, not a game changer, in paving the way for a driverless future.
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. Raviv2026-03-23 09:49:182026-03-23 09:57:46NHTSA Proposes Amending Federal Crash Avoidance Standards for Autonomous Vehicles
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
SB 253 Update: CARB Still Wrestling With Draft Regulations in March 2026
Companies preparing to comply with California’s SB 253 and submit their first required disclosures in August 2026 received additional guidance this week from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). At a public workshop on March 23, CARB outlined proposed approaches under its developing rulemaking, including options for phasing in compliance over time, and solicited public feedback on those concepts. The following article summarizes the key developments from that workshop.
(more…)
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
Maureen F. Gorsen
Century City
maureen.gorsen@sidley.com
Michael J. Martinez
Los Angeles
michael.j.martinez@sidley.com
NHTSA Proposes Amending Federal Crash Avoidance Standards for Autonomous Vehicles
On March 16, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published two proposed rulemakings designed to ease the path for manufacturing autonomous vehicles and deploying them on public roads. Both proposals would amend existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) by removing requirements for certain safety equipment that may be unnecessary in vehicles without a human driver. These rulemakings represent an incremental step, not a game changer, in paving the way for a driverless future.
(more…)
Adam M. Raviv
Washington, D.C.
adam.raviv@sidley.com
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