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The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (“PFAS”) in drinking water remains an ever-evolving area for both federal and state legislatures and agencies.  With respect to actions at the federal level, in May 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) affirmed Maximum Contaminant Levels (“MCLs”) of 4 parts per trillion (“ppt”) for two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”). With respect to actions at the state level, many states have regulated the presence of PFAS compounds in drinking water, but have done so in a variety of different ways and at different levels resulting in a patchwork of regulations and standards.  The evolving nature of these regulations, and the differences among jurisdictions, may present significant operational and compliance challenges to impacted drinking water systems.  This BCLP Insight surveys the drinking water regulations, as well as other guidance and notification levels, for PFAS compounds in drinking water across the United States.

With much anticipation, the reforms to the prospectus requirements for public offers of bonds in the UK came into force on 19 January 2026 when the UK Prospectus Regulation was revoked and replaced by the new regulatory regime enabled via the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (“POATRs”). Whilst the new regime doesn’t fundamentally rip up the playbook for UK debt capital markets (for an overview of the changes from an ECM perspective, see our article here), it represents a significant restructuring of how companies raise capital in the UK and removes yet another tranche of retained EU law. As we start 2026, and with the new regime in effect, now is the time for issuers to take stock and familiarise themselves with the key regulatory and process changes that will govern primary debt capital market transactions going forward.

A new development corporation established by the Mayor of London to support the transformation and pedestrianisation of Oxford Street took affect from 1 January 2026.  With the MDC expected to be given planning powers, in this Insight we discuss the likely practical and technical planning and highways impacts of this change.