The Central District of California recently shut down, on preemption grounds, a group of class-action plaintiffs’ second attempt to assert claims alleging that benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments unavoidably degrades into the carcinogen benzene.

In a significant decision announced last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute a private equity (PE) firm after the firm voluntarily disclosed sanctions and export control violations committed by a portfolio company the firm acquired. This result, and the government’s joint enforcement actions against the portfolio company and its former CEO, offer several important takeaways:

• It is critical for PE firms to conduct robust, non-siloed due diligence for trade and other compliance both before and after acquisition.

• Sanctions and export controls enforcement remains a key government focus, as evidenced by the extensive behind-the-scenes coordination between Justice, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security.

• It is not uncommon for private equity firms to acquire a company and then discover hidden problems. Firms that promptly investigate, self-report, cooperate, and remediate can avoid criminal prosecution, even for serious violations.

• The government continues to hold individuals personally responsible for violations of sanctions and export controls regulations.

The EPA announced on June 11 its intention to repeal three rules under the Clean Air Act that regulate emissions from power plants. This move comes as part of the Trump Administration’s broad energy and regulatory policy shift aimed at expanding domestic energy production, reducing regulatory burdens, and ensuring affordable, reliable energy, as outlined in Executive Order 14154— “Unleashing American Energy” and Executive Order 14156— “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” issued in January 2025. Critics of the Administration’s strategy fear that adverse impacts may result to the energy industry, public health, and the climate.