EU EHS Regulatory Updates Q2 2026

What changes for companies operating in the EU in 2026? This video walks through every major regulatory shift coming into force — from the revised Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), to PFAS restrictions, worker chemical exposure rules, the EU 2040 climate target, CBAM simplifications, and the proposed AI Act simplification package. 2026 is the year long-discussed EU measures finally start applying in day-to-day practice. Whether you're an industrial operator, a packaging producer, an importer of CBAM goods, an employer managing chemical exposure risks, or a company developing or deploying AI systems, this briefing covers what applies, when, and what to do about it. 📌 TOPICS COVERED Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) — national transposition deadline 1 July 2026, expanded scope (mining, batteries, landfills, intensive pig & poultry farms), stricter BAT-aligned permits Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) — applies from 12 August 2026: substances of concern, PFAS restrictions in food-contact packaging, consumer information, EPR obligations PFAS / "forever chemicals" — REACH universal restriction proposal (ECHA RAC & SEAC opinions, final opinion expected end of 2026), Drinking Water Directive limits from 12 January 2026 (0.1 µg/L sum of 20 PFAS, 0.5 µg/L total), firefighting foam restrictions from October 2026 Worker chemical exposure — CMR Directive amendments, new OELs, welding fumes added to Annex I, isoprene exposure limit EU 2040 climate target — binding 90% net GHG reduction vs 1990, ETS review implications, ETS2 postponed to 2028 CBAM simplification (Omnibus I) — 50-tonne exemption from 1 January 2026, simplified embedded emissions calculations, third-country carbon price deduction, later declaration deadlines AI Act simplification proposal — potential removal of mandatory AI literacy obligations, simplified conformity assessments, high-risk AI deadlines pushed to 2027–2028 📌 WHO IS MOST AFFECTED Industrial operators under expanded IED 2.0 scope • Packaging producers and the full packaging value chain • Companies with PFAS anywhere in their products or processes • Employers with welding, metalworking, or chemical-intensive activities • Emissions-intensive assets and CBAM importers above the 50-tonne threshold (cement, aluminium, iron & steel, fertilisers) • Developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems 📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Overview: the main 2026 regulatory areas 01:00 Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) 02:30 Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 04:04 PFAS — REACH universal restriction proposal 05:23 PFAS — drinking water & firefighting foams 06:37 Worker chemical exposure (CMR Directive) 07:43 EU 2040 climate target 08:51 CBAM simplifications (Omnibus I) 10:05 AI Act simplification proposal 10:55 Scope and applicability: who is affected 12:08 Practical implications for companies 14:42 What to watch next in late 2026 and 2027 16:00 Key takeaways The common thread across 2026: EU compliance is becoming more operational, more interconnected, and more data-driven. Companies need to track what applies and when, and translate regulatory change into clear, actionable obligations. Need support strengthening your business compliance? Get in touch with our team. #EURegulations2026 #IED #PPWR #PFAS #CBAM #AIAct #EUCompliance #IndustrialEmissions #PackagingRegulation #REACH #CMRDirective #ClimateRegulation #RegulatoryCompliance