Month: January 2026

Action Against Hunger warns of a rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in north-eastern Syria, particularly in the governorate of Al-Hasakeh, where recent clashes and bombings have resulted in civilian casualties and widespread disruption to daily life. The escalation of violence has severely restricted population movement, forced the closure of markets, and significantly limited access to food, drinking water, and essential services. As insecurity grows, thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in collective shelters under harsh winter conditions.

Displacement, Fear, and Overwhelmed Shelters 

According to data gathered by humanitarian partners, thousands of people have fled from Ar-Raqqa, Tabqa, and surrounding rural areas toward Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli. Many displaced families are now sheltering in schools, public buildings, and collective shelters that are stretched beyond capacity. Families are arriving with almost nothing, facing freezing temperatures and severe shortages of basic necessities such as clean water, food, blankets, hygiene kits, and essential non-food items. The uncertainty surrounding a potential further escalation is fueling fear, particularly among displaced families.

“Families are arriving with only the clothes on their backs, in the middle of winter and with increasingly limited access to basic services,” says Suzanne Takkenberg, Regional Director of Action Against Hunger in Syria and Lebanon. “We are very concerned about people who are trapped by violence or who have had to flee without any guarantee of safety.”

Decreasing Water Access Due to Insecurity and Power Cuts 

Ongoing insecurity and power cuts have disrupted the operation of water pumping and treatment stations, compromising access to safe drinking water for more than one million people across several areas of north-eastern Syria. Health centers are also under growing strain.

Hospitals such as Al-Hasakeh have received dozens of wounded people while facing shortages of medical equipment, essential supplies, and transportation capacity.

Action Against Hunger Prepares for a Possible Emergency Response

Present in Al-Hasakeh since 2008, Action Against Hunger implements programs in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health and nutrition, and food security and livelihoods. In response to the current crisis, the organization is prioritizing staff safety while preparing to scale up emergency assistance as soon as security conditions allow. Intervention options include:

• Emergency water distribution in collective shelters through local suppliers.
• Ready-to-eat food distribution for families unable to cook.
• Essential non-food item distribution such as blankets, winter clothing, and hygiene kits.
• Capacity strengthening in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health and nutrition, and food security, in coordination with other humanitarian actors.

“Our priority is twofold: to protect our staff and to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively as soon as the security situation allows,” explains Takkenberg.

An Urgent Call for Protection and Humanitarian Access 

Action Against Hunger stresses the need for:

• Protecting the civilian population and essential infrastructure, especially markets, collective shelters, health centers, and water systems.
• Ensuring safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access to assess needs and deliver vital aid.
• Facilitating the arrival of flexible funds to adapt the response to a highly volatile context.
• Strengthening humanitarian coordination and assistance to displaced persons, particularly during the winter

At AMD, we believe that when our people, our technology and our investments come together with purpose, we can help solve the world’s toughest challenges. Our employees are the lifeblood of our company. They are innovators, and their passion for problem solving extends beyond developing great products to the communities where they live and work.

In 2025, AMDers across the globe came together to create real-world impact and build stronger, more resilient communities through volunteerism and giving.

Here’s a snapshot of the AMD 2025 Community Impact by the numbers.

• 8,050 AMDers volunteered
• 326 service projects across 42 AMD sites globally
• $4.5 million donated to 5,781 causes through the Matching Gift and Volunteer Reward Program

For more than 45 years, AMD community impact programs have been a way that we drive community change, and we work with nonprofit organizations that address important issues such as food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and access to quality STEM and AI education. This past year was no different.

For the fourth year in a row, AMDers teamed up with Rise Against Hunger to celebrate a tremendous milestone, packaging our one millionth meal to help people around the world facing hunger insecurity. “I think companies have a role to play in ending hunger. What impacts one person in our community impacts us all. And when our people take the time to show up and give back together, we can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Lisa Graham, senior manager, Talent, AMD.

AMDers also led 49 global Earth Day activities focused on preserving green spaces, planting trees, upcycling and recycling, and spreading awareness on issues impacting environmental sustainability. In Singapore, volunteers from two AMD sites hopped on kayaks to help clean a local lake. “The astonishing amount of trash and plastics collected in just one hour would have otherwise been detrimental to biodiversity. We are proud that our collective effort enabled a healthier ecosystem where aquatic life can thrive,” said Fang-Jie Foo, manager, Device Analysis Lab, AMD.

AMDers participated in 45 STEM-focused experiences impacting tens of thousands of students. Whether building coding robots to donate to schools, judging science fairs, hackathons and robotics competitions, or leading computer builds for students, employees served as mentors to help inspire the next generation of learners. “Giving students the opportunity to explore all the components that make up a PC helps bring technology to life. As we enter the age of AI, these are the building blocks behind the innovation they see every day. Hands-on experiences like this can help spark curiosity and encourage students to imagine what they might create in the future,” said Scott Strong, director, Channel Marketing, AMD.

Guided by purpose and strengthened by our people, AMD community impact is shaped by employee engagement and investments that help strengthen communities around the world. From expanding access to STEM and AI education to supporting environmental and basic needs initiatives, AMD is committed to creating positive, lasting change.

To learn more about AMD Community Impact, visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/community.html

Key Takeaways:

• New Jersey’s PFAS law expands regulation beyond environmental cleanup to include consumer products, labeling, advertising, and supply chain compliance.
• The statute uses a broad definition of PFAS, increasing compliance exposure for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
• Companies have a two-year compliance window before product bans on intentionally added PFAS take effect in key consumer categories.
• PFAS disclosure and labeling requirements create heightened enforcement risk for inaccurate or misleading product and marketing claims.
• Expanded enforcement authority allows New Jersey regulators to impose per-product and per-violation penalties that can quickly escalate exposure.
• Though they are currently in the vanguard, New Jersey’s PFAS product regulations are likely to influence similar laws in other jurisdictions.

On January 12, 2026, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation significantly expanding the State’s regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), marking one of the most aggressive product-based PFAS initiatives in the country. The new law reflects New Jersey’s continued leadership in PFAS regulation and expands beyond environmental media controls to target consumer products, supply chains, and manufacturing practices.

A Definition Designed to Capture “Everything PFAS”

The statute adopts a sweeping definition of PFAS, encompassing any fluorinated organic chemical containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. This approach captures thousands of substances, effectively eliminating arguments that only a narrow subset of PFAS is regulated.

Bottom line: Companies should assume that PFAS presence, whether intentional or unintentional, falls within scope unless clearly exempted.

Product Bans on Intentionally Added PFAS—and a Two-Year Countdown

Effective two years after enactment, the law prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution, or offering for sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS in the following categories:

• Cosmetics
• Carpets, excluding used carpet and certain fabric treatments
• Food packaging
• Cookware, unless PFAS is clearly disclosed

For cookware, the statute goes further. It imposes expanded labeling and disclosure obligations that elevate the risk of enforcement actions tied not only to chemistry, but also to advertising, labeling, and online representations.

This mirrors a broader regulatory trend: transparency failures are increasingly treated as enforcement violations, not merely consumer relations issues.

Source Reduction and Research Initiatives

Beyond product bans, the law directs the State to take a more systemic approach to PFAS management.

• Source Reduction Program: No later than one year after the law’s effective date, New Jersey must establish a PFAS source reduction program addressing proper management, reduction, and prevention of PFAS releases.
• Research Funding: The statute also authorizes funding for PFAS related research, reinforcing New Jersey’s dual strategy of aggressive regulation coupled with scientific and technical investment.

These provisions signal that regulated entities should expect continued evolution of PFAS obligations beyond the product categories expressly covered by this law.

Robust Enforcement Authorities and Penalties

The legislation grants the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) extensive enforcement authority. For violations, including false or misleading PFAS-related claims on product labels or websites, the Commissioner may:

• Issue administrative compliance orders
• Bring civil enforcement actions in Superior Court
• Levy civil administrative penalties
• Seek injunctive relief and civil penalties
• Order the cessation of sales or distribution of noncompliant products
• Notify the public regarding violations

Critically, civil administrative penalties range from $1,000 to $20,000 per violation, and each noncompliant product or sale may constitute a separate violation, creating the potential for rapid escalation in exposure across Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), product lines, or sales channels.

Not the End—A Signal of What’s Coming Next

• This is not a niche environmental law. It reaches product formulation, labeling, advertising, and supply chain governance.
• Compliance gaps may translate directly into enforcement actions, penalties, and follow on litigation.
• Insurers should expect increased tendering of PFAS related regulatory, advertising injury, and product liability claims, particularly where allegations of misrepresentation or consumer deception arise.
• Now is the window for risk mitigation. Companies should evaluate formulations, supplier certifications, disclosures, and internal review processes well ahead of the two-year effective date.

Why This Matters Beyond New Jersey

New Jersey’s latest action reflects the broader migration of PFAS regulation away from environmental remediation alone and toward product standards and consumer-facing accountability. For nationally distributed products, New Jersey effectively functions as a bellwether, raising the likelihood that similar frameworks will emerge in other states. In short: PFAS risk is no longer confined to the plant gate or the groundwater. It now sits on store shelves and in enforcement crosshairs. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, particularly those operating on a national scale, should begin evaluating product formulations, supplier certifications, labeling practices, and compliance programs now to manage risk ahead of the two-year effective deadline.

Do you have any questions about PFAS? Our team is here to help get you answers!

Finally, check out our free Global PFAS Regulatory Dashboard to stay on top of regulatory changes like this one. This tool helps organizations monitor and compare PFAS requirements worldwide, so you can anticipate what is coming next.

Originally published on Essity News Features

The global hygiene and health company Essity has been awarded a place on the environmental non-profit organization CDP’s prestigious “A List” for its leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests. Essity also received an A- rating for climate, underscoring its strong commitment to sustainability.

NEW YORK, January 29, 2025 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for driving market transformation through healthy buildings, organizations and communities, today announced a significant expansion of its WELL program. Two new ratings, the WELL Real Estate Rating and the WELL Operations Rating, will provide real estate companies and funds with a flexible, high-impact way to implement and scale health strategies across their entire portfolios.

WELL serves as the premier platform for leading organizations to invest in health and deliver on social sustainability drivers. The WELL ecosystem supports a growing community of high-performing organizations seeking opportunities to gain recognition as they make progress towards their health and well-being goals. With the debut of these two ratings, IWBI is expanding the ability of real estate companies and funds to achieve initial or incremental recognition through WELL.

Now open for enrollment, the WELL Real Estate Rating focuses on enhancing base building infrastructure while the WELL Operations Rating focuses on addressing base building operations and maintenance. From air ventilation and water quality to design elements that encourage movement and mindfulness, these ratings offer a practical pathway to measure and validate the health strategies most critical to base building performance. Derived from a subset of strategies in the WELL Standard, these ratings help real estate companies earn initial recognition while laying the foundation for full WELL Certification and other milestone achievements over time.

“Through rigorous science and verified performance, we’ve proven that buildings and organizations can be a powerful force for human health,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “By achieving these ratings, real estate leaders have new opportunities to earn recognition at scale, establishing immediate trust with tenants and investors while building toward broader organizational goals.”

Ratings allow organizations to be recognized for their leadership in specific focus areas addressed in the broader WELL Standard. These new ratings provide trusted third-party recognition for the implementation of the health and social impact strategies most relevant to real estate investors and tenants. By focusing on essential infrastructure and operations, the ratings offer a practical pathway to measure and validate key WELL strategies, enabling owners to demonstrate incremental progress and address issues that matter to investors earlier in an asset’s lifecycle.

The WELL Real Estate Rating helps real estate funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and asset managers efficiently enhance base building infrastructure to support health and well-being, driving long-term asset and tenant value. The rating targets systems that support indoor environmental quality, incorporates strategies that improve asset and community resilience, and addresses responsible material selection.

The WELL Operations Rating helps property and asset managers enhance base building operations and management. This rating focuses on driving operational excellence through building systems maintenance, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance, policies for resilience and readiness, and an enhanced tenant experience.

“Our goal is to give organizations the tools to win with WELL,” said IWBI’s Chief Product Officer Jessica Cooper. “Whether starting with a single office or a global portfolio, the WELL Real Estate Rating and WELL Operations Rating offer the initial validation needed to demonstrate impact and meet today’s growing investor and tenant demands.”

For property owners, a commitment to WELL is a powerful differentiator for attracting and retaining tenants. By investing in base building infrastructure and operations, owners provide the verified foundation tenants need to thrive, enabling them to leverage health-forward design attributes and amenities from the base building that can promote productivity from day one.

Assets that achieve these new ratings will demonstrate leadership in health, social sustainability and ESG performance. The results can be referenced in GRESB submissions, investor communications and sustainability reports.

Today, WELL strategies have been adopted in nearly 100,000 locations totaling more than 6 billion square feet in over 140 countries. More than 190 Global and Fortune 500 companies are among the thousands of organizations that use WELL to benefit more than 30 million people worldwide.

For more information and to enroll in the WELL Real Estate Rating or the WELL Operations Rating, please register your interest here.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact:
media@wellcertified.com

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