Welcome to CodeWatch, a new monthly SmartBrief column that dives into the latest developments in codes and standards that affect the built environment.
The first few months of 2026 have delivered a steady stream of updates that touch nearly every corner of the AEC and energy industries. Trade associations are refining standards, rolling out new guidance and responding to policy shifts. Meanwhile, state and local governments are adopting more aggressive building codes tied to resilience and electrification.
Simultaneously, a renewed federal debate over how standards are accessed and protected could reshape the economics of standards development itself. For engineers, contractors and owners, the implications reach beyond compliance.
Below is a breakdown of the most notable developments so far this year.
A federal push that could reshape standards access
Last month, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Pro Codes Act, reopening a long-running debate over how voluntary consensus standards are treated once they are incorporated into law.
The bill would preserve copyright protections for standards referenced by agencies such as OSHA, as long as those standards remain freely accessible online. It applies broadly to incorporation by reference at the federal, state and local levels.
Supporters frame the bill as a way to balance public access with intellectual property protections. Critics argue the proposal could disrupt the funding model that supports standards development organizations.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has been among the most vocal opponents. ASME Executive Director and CEO Tom Costabile warned in a recent statement that the legislation could weaken the financial foundation of standards bodies and introduce risks tied to foreign influence and reduced private-sector investment.
If passed, the bill could influence how quickly standards evolve, how they are funded and how widely they are adopted across jurisdictions.
Concrete and carbon take center stage
In late March, the American Concrete Institute, in partnership with NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, began offering a new certificate program focused on low-carbon concrete. It provides instruction on life cycle assessments, environmental product declarations and the integration of codes and standards like ACI CODE-323-24. The curriculum also addresses practical strategies for reducing carbon, performance-based specifications and emerging innovations such as circular-economy approaches. The program is offered through ACI University and awards a certificate and digital badge upon completion.
Separately, a webinar on April 14 will go over the ACI-PTI 320-25 code for post-tensioned structural concrete, highlighting technical updates and practical implications. The session aims to help engineers, specifiers and inspectors understand the code’s scope, intent and key provisions.
Oil and automotive standards adapt to next-generation demands
The American Petroleum Institute has officially approved the Proposed Category 12 (PC-12) specification for heavy-duty engine oils, paving the way for products that address the needs of next-generation engines and tighter emissions standards. PC-12 will be incorporated into API 1509, providing a technical foundation focused on durability, environmental protection and improved performance.
“Making the CL-4 and FB-4 service symbols available now allows oil marketers to prepare for a smooth transition as we approach the 2027 model year,” said Bill O’Ryan, director of API’s engine oil licensing and certification system (EOLCS) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) certification programs.
Meanwhile, SAE International is addressing a different challenge tied to electrification. The organization has introduced the J3311 Vehicle Platform Power Management standard to address fragmentation in automotive power management. Currently, automakers use proprietary solutions, which create inefficiencies, especially for electric vehicles. The standard, inspired by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, aims to enhance interoperability, reduce development costs and improve energy efficiency by up to 40%.
Structural and environmental standards see quieter but important updates
Not every standards update comes with a headline, but several 2026 actions from American Society of Civil Engineers highlight how the system continues to evolve.
ASCE committees have reaffirmed multiple existing standards, including guidance on frost-protected shallow foundations and several water resources standards covering aquifer modeling and soil conductivity.
At the same time, ASTM International is pushing into emerging areas tied to climate and environmental risk.
A proposed standard under development would establish a framework for nature-based solutions aimed at reducing urban heat. The guide focuses on integrating vegetation, water and landscape strategies into the built environment to lower temperatures and improve thermal comfort.
ASTM has also approved a new standard addressing sampling methods for PFAS in environmental media, which include water, soil and biologic organisms.
New York City raises the bar on energy and existing buildings
On the state and local side, New York City has adopted a new generation of building regulations that took effect in early 2026.
The 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code is based on the 2024 IECC, while a new existing building code aligned with the International Existing Building Code introduces more flexible compliance pathways for renovations.
Key updates include mandatory air leakage testing for all buildings, stronger requirements for backup electric heating and closer alignment with national energy standards.
The city is also aiming to simplify a complex regulatory environment that sees tens of thousands of alteration applications each year. By making the code easier to navigate, officials hope to encourage compliance while supporting the reuse of existing buildings.
Colorado and the rise of wildfire-ready construction
In the West, resilience is driving code development. Colorado is moving toward broader adoption of wildfire-ready building codes in high-risk areas.
Local governments have been instructed to adopt new provisions developed by the state’s Wildfire Resiliency Code Board, with full implementation required by July 1, 2026.
These codes emphasize “home hardening,” which includes ignition-resistant materials and defensible space around structures. The goal is to reduce the likelihood that buildings will ignite during a wildfire and to slow the spread of fire through communities. As wildfire risk continues to grow, similar requirements are likely to appear in other states.
Oregon pushes electrification through building code policy
On the Pacific coast, Oregon is taking a different approach by embedding electrification into its residential energy code.
The state has effectively made heat pumps the default option for cooling in new homes. Builders who install air conditioning will be expected to use dual-purpose heat pumps rather than conventional central AC systems.
Heat pumps offer both cooling and heating, often at significantly higher efficiency than fossil fuel systems. By steering the market in this direction, Oregon is aiming to reduce emissions while also lowering operating costs for homeowners.
This move reflects a broader trend in which building codes are being used to shape technology adoption as opposed to minimum performance.
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If you sit on a code or standards committee and would like to have your work featured in the next CodeWatch, email Evan Milberg at [email protected]. For more news updates on the latest codes and standards shaping the built environment and energy sectors, sign up for one or more of SmartBrief’s infrastructure newsletters today.