Sue Thomas Hooks, 95, died Nov. 23, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Hooks and her late husband, Maurice Wayne Hooks, founded Chair and Equipment Rentals in Charlotte in 1958. That business later grew to become Party Reflections, a regional brand with locations across North and South Carolina. Hooks worked alongside her husband in the business for more [...]

The Washington State Department of Ecology has adopted new restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in consumer products, building upon existing PFAS restrictions. “With this rule, Washington continues to stand firmly on the side of public health. As health impacts and cleanup costs from PFAS contamination skyrocket, prevention is the most rational solution,” says Cheri Peele, director of [...]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule outlining amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which regulates the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for PFAS. The regulation requires manufacturers and importers of PFAS between 2011 and 2022 to report certain data to the EPA related to exposure and environmental and health effects. [...]

U.S. President Donald Trump has reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding U.S.-China trade relations. As part of the agreement, the U.S. will lower its cumulative tariff rate on Chinese imports by 10%, effective Nov. 10. The country's heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports will be suspended until Nov. 10, 2026. During the [...]

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed California Senate Bill 682, which would have prohibited the distribution, sale or offering for sale of certain products that contain intentionally added PFAS, beginning Jan. 1, 2028. These products include cleaning products, dental floss, juvenile products, food packaging and ski wax. Additionally, the bill would have prohibited the distribution, sale or [...]

Jim Mortenson, a Minnesota Administrative Law Judge, issued a report Aug. 28 on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s proposed rule on reporting PFAS in products and associated fees. The judge stated his disapproval of the proposed rule due to the agency’s “failure to assess the cumulative effect of the rule with other federal and state [...]

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued further modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), effective Mon., Sept. 8. The changes were issued in the Sept. 5 Executive Order “Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements.” The order further modifies import duties imposed by [...]

The Indian government announced Aug. 28 that the country will extend its import duty exemption on cotton until Dec. 31. Previously, the exemption was to be in effect until ⁠Sept. 30. The exemption reduces the import duty on cotton from 11% to 0%. The decision was informed by the Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes [...]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new action that aims to protect American farmers, truckers and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems. EPA issued guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise DEF system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent [...]

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Aug. 19 that 407 product categories will be added to the list of "derivative" steel and aluminum products covered by Section 232 tariffs. The steel and aluminum content of these products will be subject to a duty rate of 50%. Product categories added include wind turbines and their parts [...]