EHS trends shaping the Americas in 2026

Across North and Latin America, EHS regulation at the start of 2026 is defined by strong regional momentum combined with uneven regulatory maturity. During Enhesa’s New year, new EHS trends webinar, our experts highlighted how federal, state, and national authorities across the Americas are advancing requirements in chemicals management, environmental protection, worker health and safety, and artificial intelligence, creating a complex compliance landscape for multinational businesses.

This article summarizes the key developments shaping EHS obligations across the Americas — with insights from our regional experts Jordan Stone and Natércia Escorel Cordeiro de Castro — and recommendations on what organizations should be tracking for the year ahead.

Chemicals management and PFAS controls

PFAS regulation remains one of the most active areas of chemicals management across the Americas.

In the United States, action continues to be driven primarily at the state level. Several states are restricting PFAS in firefighting foam, personal protective equipment (PPE), and consumer products. Illinois has introduced disclosure requirements for firefighting gear containing PFAS, while Pennsylvania has proposed phased bans on PFAS-containing firefighting foams and protective equipment beginning in 2026. Vermont’s comprehensive PFAS phase-out law extends further, covering multiple product categories and introducing mandatory disclosure labeling through 2029.

At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency is signaling a reassessment of certain regulatory approaches, even as strict maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water remain in place. This divergence reinforces the importance of state-level visibility.

In Latin America, PFAS regulation is emerging more rapidly. Brazil is advancing proposals for its first national PFAS policy, which would introduce reporting obligations, workplace exposure monitoring, and risk management requirements for companies manufacturing or using PFAS. Other countries in the region are closely monitoring these developments as potential models for future action.

Environmental and climate-related developments

Environmental regulation across the Americas reflects a mix of federal retrenchment, state leadership, and national-level expansion.

In the United States, federal agencies have proposed scaling back several greenhouse gas and environmental reporting requirements, including elements of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. At the same time, states are strengthening their own frameworks, particularly around water quality, emissions monitoring, and extended producer responsibility.

Battery EPR laws in Colorado and Connecticut now require producers to finance collection and recycling programs, meet labeling requirements, and report annually. Additional states are actively exploring similar schemes, signaling continued growth in producer responsibility obligations.

In Latin America, Brazil is preparing to operationalize its greenhouse gas emissions trading system and has launched a national sustainable taxonomy. While voluntary in its initial phase, the taxonomy is expected to influence access to finance, public procurement, and sustainability disclosures. Brazil has also introduced a national reverse logistics system for plastic packaging, including mandatory recycled content targets beginning in 2026.

Uruguay has adopted new battery waste management regulations, introducing registration, labeling, and digital tracking requirements for manufacturers, importers, and retailers.

Worker health and safety trends

Worker protection requirements are expanding across the Americas, with a strong emphasis on preventive measures and governance.

In the United States, uncertainty remains around a federal OSHA heat illness standard, but states are moving ahead. Pennsylvania has proposed legislation requiring written heat prevention plans, access to water and rest breaks, and emergency response procedures, while Arizona is developing employer heat safety guidelines.

Workplace harassment and discrimination prevention is also gaining regulatory attention, with new or proposed measures requiring formal policies, training programs, reporting mechanisms, and recordkeeping.

In Latin America, several countries are strengthening protections related to workplace harassment, discrimination, noise exposure, and maternity leave. These changes reflect a broader regional focus on worker wellbeing and rights, often accompanied by increased enforcement.

Artificial intelligence and employment regulation

AI governance is emerging as a compliance issue across the Americas, particularly in employment and workforce management.

In the United States, a recent executive order signals intent to move toward a more unified national approach to AI regulation, including potential limits on divergent state laws. However, meaningful preemption would require congressional action, leaving employers to navigate a patchwork of existing and proposed state requirements in the meantime.

Across Latin America, comprehensive AI legislation remains limited, but governments are introducing targeted measures related to data protection, transparency, and algorithmic accountability. These early steps suggest that expectations around responsible AI use will continue to grow.

What this means for businesses

The regulatory outlook across the Americas in 2026 is defined by divergence rather than uniformity.

For businesses operating across multiple countries or states, compliance will depend on detailed local visibility, proactive monitoring of proposed legislation, and flexible strategies that can adapt to differing requirements. Early identification of emerging trends, particularly at the state and national levels, will be critical to avoiding disruption and maintaining consistency.