2026 Unified Regulatory Agenda Announced
The Trump administration has released its 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, outlining the regulatory initiatives federal agencies expect to pursue over the coming year while identifying longer-term priorities still under development. The agenda serves as a list of rules and regulations that could impact the industry, particularly in the areas of air quality, environmental permitting, workplace safety, and chemical regulation.
Among the top actions, OSHA expects to issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for its Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard in December 2026, followed by final action in October 2027. The Biden administration proposed a rule imposing requirements on employers when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
NFFS filed formal comments in January 2025, arguing that many member foundries already have effective heat illness prevention programs. NFFS supported OSHA's stated goal of protecting workers, however, urged the agency to preserve employer flexibility rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all standard. Specifically, NFFS raised concerns over mandatory continuous temperature monitoring, rigid acclimatization requirements, prescribed break schedules that could disrupt foundry production, PPE requirements, and engineering controls that may not be feasible in foundry environments.
OSHA also anticipates publishing a proposed rule in November 2026 to modernize its Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy) standard, addressing automated manufacturing equipment and computer-controlled energy sources increasingly common in industrial facilities. Additional workplace safety actions include a proposed rule on Mechanical Power Presses listed for release in July 2026, while revisions to the Process Safety Management standard remain on the longer-term priority agenda.
In the coming year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to move forward with a robust regulatory agenda. The EPA expects to finalize fine particulate matter (PM2.5) area designations under the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards as soon as July 2026, despite its pending request for additional time from a federal court to complete those designations. New nonattainment designations could result in more stringent air permitting requirements and additional regulatory obligations for foundries located in affected areas.
Following years of litigation, EPA will plans a final rule revising the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS), which the Unified Agenda projects for July 2026. Changes to the WOTUS definition could affect Clean Water Act permitting, stormwater management, and future facility expansion projects.
The agency is also continuing work on additional TSCA rulemakings involving PFAS and other priority chemicals that may affect manufacturers through reporting requirements or restrictions on chemical use.