Auto Care Association Regulatory Update – Monday, May 4, 2026

There are several new rules of interest this week:

New Rules and Actions

DOT Rulemaking and Enforcement Procedures - The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued final rules reforming the rulemaking process at all DOT agencies. Key changes include establishing a Task Force to review burdensome regulations, adding additional process for rules that would have significant impact on the economy, and enhanced review of impact of guidance documents. The rule also finalizes enforcement rules for DOT staff and a process for petitioning the DOT General Counsel to determine if DOT staff did not follow enforcement priorities.

More Information: Final Rule

Approved Safety Exemptions - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved two safety exemptions, one for a forward discharge  exhaust system for aircraft fuel service trucks and the other for an amber, brake-activated, pulsating auxiliary lamp positioned in the rear center outside frame rail in addition to steady-burning brake lights on Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs).

More Information: Fuel Truck; Brake Lights

Brake System Exemption - NHTSA requests comment on an application for temporary exemption from safety rules for a brake system that pulses the required rear clearance, identification, and brake lamps from a lower-level lighting intensity to a higher-level intensity 4 times in 2 seconds when the brakes are applied, and then returns the lights to a steady- burning state while the brakes remain engaged. Comments are due May 28, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Action

Rearview Mirror System Exemption - NHTSA requests comment on an application for temporary exemption from safety rules for a camera-based rear-view mirror system on CMVs. Comments are due June 1, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Action

Scaling Critical Suppliers - The Small Business Administration is asking for comments on  identifying opportunities to rapidly scale existing domestic supplier capacity in areas characterized by supply chain constraints or choke points, especially relating to small businesses. Comments are due May 18, 2026

More Information: Information Request

Supply Chain Gaps - The Small Business Administration is asking for comments on supply chain gaps in critical industries and how entrepreneur technical assistance could be aligned to increase business growth and technology development in needed industries. Comments are due May 18, 2026

More Information: Information Request

Ongoing Tracked Rules

Risk Management Program - The Environmental Protection Agency (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 Automated Driving System (ADS) vehicles instead of warning triangles or fuses . Comments are due May 15, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Action

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

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

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

Drinking Water Contamination List (potential inclusion of PFAS and microplastics) - EPA proposes to add microplastics, some Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (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 replaceable 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 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) data. Comments are due June 8, 2026.

More Information: Proposed Rule

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

More Information: Proposed Rule