Auto Care Association Regulatory Update – Monday, April 27, 2026

There are several new rules of interest this week:

New Rules and Actions

Workforce Pell Accountability Metrics - The Department of Education proposes to change the metric to evaluate Pell education providers from debt to earning ratio to an earnings premium measure. Comments are due May 20, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Rule

Significant New Use Rule for Cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide, metals-doped (generic) - EPA proposes to limit new uses of cobalt lithium. Batteries may continue to use the substance. Comments are due May 26, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Rule

Automated Vehicle Safety Standards - NHTSA proposes to enable compliance with tire and load information placard requirement by affixing the required placard on the left side of the vehicle when there is not a ‘‘driver’s side’’ for vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that do not have manually operated driving controls. Comments are due May 1, 2026.

More Information: Rulemaking Docket

ADAS Incident Reporting - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposes to streamline requirements and reduce reporting burdens relating to ADAS incident reporting. Comments are due May 4, 2026. If you are interested in collaborating on a possible comment, please contact Grant.

More Information: Rulemaking Docket

Risk Management Program - EPA proposes to adjust and reduce burdens of the Risk Management Program for hazardous chemical substances. Comments are due May 11, 2026.

More Information: Rulemaking Docket

Automated Vehicles - Aurora is seeking a temporary exemption from safety standards to allow for cab-mounted warning beacons on ADS vehicles instead of warning triangles or fuses . Comments are due May 15, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Action

Scrap Tire Management – EPA proposed to classify scrap tires as non-waste when burned in cement kilns. Comments are due May 22, 2026.

More Information: Rulemaking Docket

Drinking Water Contamination List (potential inclusion of PFAS and microplastics) - EPA proposes to add microplastics, some PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and pharmaceuticals to drinking water contaminant consideration list, which is a precursor to potential further regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Comments are due June 5, 2026.

More Information: Rulemaking Docket

Labeling and Information Requests from new vehicle manufacturers - in four separate actions, NHTSA proposes to (1) adjust label information collection for new vehicle labels relating to brake fluid warning, glazing labeling, air bag warning labels, seat belt labeling, compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fuel label, CNG fuel container labels, hydrogen fueled vehicle fueling label, and hydrogen fuel container labels; (2) adjust label information collection for platform lift systems; (3) reinstate information collection for interchangeability and performance specifications of replacable headlamp light sources; and (4) reinstate with modifications information collection from tire manufacturers and brand owners of grades for passenger car tire lines for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. Comments are due June 8, 2026.

More Information: Label proposal; Platform Lift proposal; Headlamp light source proposal; Tire grade proposal

MSDS Reporting Information - EPA proposes to extend information request for reporting MSDS data. Comments are due June 8, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Rule

Consumer Product Recall Fraud - The CPSC is gathering comments regarding the impact of recall fraud on businesses. Comments are due June 15, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Rule