St. Louis

On April 8, 2025, the Governor of New Mexico, Lujan Grisham, signed HB 212 prohibiting certain PFAS substances in various consumer products.  This bill (now enacted into law) establishes on specific product categories beginning on January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028.  Notably, on January 1, 2032, New Mexico prohibits a manufacturer from selling or distributing any consumer product containing intentionally added PFAS substances.  However, the definition of PFAS in the bill is unique in that it excludes certain fluoropolymers like PTFE from the prohibitions.

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by state laws regulating the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in their products. This area is rapidly developing as states create new laws or amend existing ones, and the penalties and litigation risks for non-compliance can be significant.

Since January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has implemented numerous changes to federal environmental justice (“EJ”) initiatives which are expected to result in reduced permitting and regulatory burdens. While the current administration may continue to make changes to EJ policies on a federal level, it is important to know that many states still have their own EJ policies that remain enforceable. This insight discusses the following three things: provides the necessary historical context regarding EJ; outlines the recent actions by the Trump Administration; and explores some state regulations and potential ramifications for your business. It is vital for your business to stay current with these developments and to consult with legal counsel before making any changes to your operations based on the current administration's actions.

We explore the trends for Business and Commercial Disputes in the UK, US and France/EU in 2025. Here's what you should know. UK In the spotlight: corporates asserting privilege against shareholders Continued focus on litigation funding Increase in open justice Easier enforcement Court-compelled Negotiated Dispute Resolution – watch this space France Rise of mass claims in France and rise of class actions in France and the EU The new EU product liability directive adopted on October 11, 2024 Rise of ESG related claims US More M&A deals means more post-closing disputes? Head off rising number of workplace issues with internal investigations Disclosure of litigation funding in the United States