On July 3, 2026, the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Agenda compiles…
On July 3, 2026, the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Agenda compiles projected rulemakings and anticipated timelines from approximately 60 federal agencies, offering businesses an early roadmap of the regulatory activity expected to unfold over the coming months. For companies operating in heavily regulated sectors, the release is an important planning tool, providing time to evaluate potential compliance impacts, prepare internal stakeholders, and consider participation in the notice-and-comment process.
Among the most consequential items on this year's Agenda are several rulemakings by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to crypto assets. These initiatives could clarify long-standing questions about the treatment of digital assets under the federal securities laws and may impose new registration, disclosure, or custody obligations on market participants. Financial firms with exposure to digital asset products, trading platforms, or advisory services should closely monitor these developments and begin assessing how contemplated changes may affect their business models and existing compliance frameworks.
The Agenda also signals renewed activity by the Department of Labor (DOL) on fiduciary rules addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and the use of alternative investments in retirement plans. Depending on how these rules take shape, plan sponsors, investment advisers, and other ERISA fiduciaries may face revised standards for evaluating investment options and documenting decision-making processes. Firms should review their current fiduciary practices, investment policy statements, and disclosure protocols in anticipation of potential changes.
On the food safety front, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advancing a proposal that would require mandatory Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notifications for food substances. This would represent a meaningful shift from the current voluntary framework and could affect how food and ingredient manufacturers introduce new substances to the U.S. market. Companies relying on self-affirmed GRAS determinations should consider how a mandatory notification regime may alter timelines, documentation, and risk management strategies.
Businesses should continue to monitor OIRA's Agenda as proposed rules are published and comment periods open. This article provides a general overview and is not legal advice; clients are encouraged to seek counsel tailored to their specific circumstances.