diff --git a/.github/pseudo-cluster/reframe/docker-entrypoint.sh b/.github/pseudo-cluster/reframe/docker-entrypoint.sh
index 71eb08fc03..a01dba35f2 100755
--- a/.github/pseudo-cluster/reframe/docker-entrypoint.sh
+++ b/.github/pseudo-cluster/reframe/docker-entrypoint.sh
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ sudo service munge start
 cp -r /usr/local/share/reframe .
 cd reframe
 ./bootstrap.sh
-pip install pytest-cov
+pip install coverage
+source $HOME/.profile
 
 echo "Running unittests with backend scheduler: ${BACKEND}"
 
 tempdir=$(mktemp -d -p /scratch)
-TMPDIR=$tempdir ./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml \
+TMPDIR=$tempdir coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py \
     --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/ci-cluster.py \
     --rfm-user-system=pseudo-cluster:compute-${BACKEND:-squeue}
+coverage xml -o coverage.xml
diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 3831e4257a..5bda327307 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python-version: ['3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
@@ -19,25 +19,9 @@ jobs:
         ./bootstrap.sh
     - name: Generic Unittests
       run: |
-        pip install pytest-cov
-        ./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml
-    - name: Upload coverage reports
-      uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4.2.0
-
-  unittest-py-eol:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    strategy:
-      matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.6', '3.7']
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Build Image for Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-      run: |
-        docker build --build-arg PYTHON_VERSION=${{ matrix.python-version }} -f ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-python.dockerfile -t reframe-python${{ matrix.python-version }}:latest .
-    - name: Run Unittests
-      run: |
-        docker run --name reframe-python${{ matrix.python-version }} reframe-python${{ matrix.python-version }}:latest
-        docker cp reframe-python${{ matrix.python-version }}:/home/rfmuser/reframe/coverage.xml .
+        pip install coverage
+        coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py
+        coverage xml -o coverage.xml
     - name: Upload coverage reports
       uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4.2.0
 
@@ -45,7 +29,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: macos-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python-version: ['3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
@@ -57,8 +41,9 @@ jobs:
         ./bootstrap.sh
     - name: Generic Unittests
       run: |
-        pip install pytest-cov
-        ./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml
+        pip install coverage
+        coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py
+        coverage xml -o coverage.xml
     - name: Upload coverage reports
       uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4.2.0
 
@@ -66,7 +51,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        modules-version: [lmod, lmod77, tmod32, tmod4]
+        modules-version: [envmodules, lmod, spack]
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
@@ -121,7 +106,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python-version: ['3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Setup up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
@@ -144,7 +129,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python-version: ['3.9', '3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-flux.yaml b/.github/workflows/test-flux.yaml
index cd10473543..fbe6b0dd4d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-flux.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-flux.yaml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        container: ['fluxrm/flux-sched:focal']
+        container: ['fluxrm/flux-sched:noble']
 
     container:
       image: ${{ matrix.container }}
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           apt-get update && apt-get install -y python3-pip
           ./bootstrap.sh
-          pip install pytest-cov
           export PATH=$PWD/bin:$PATH
           which reframe
 
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ jobs:
           which reframe
           flux start reframe -c examples/howto/flux -C examples/howto/flux/settings.py -l
           flux start reframe -c examples/howto/flux -C examples/howto/flux/settings.py -r
-          flux start python3 ./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml --rfm-user-config=examples/howto/flux/settings.py
+          flux start coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py --rfm-user-config=examples/howto/flux/settings.py
+          coverage xml -o coverage.xml
       - name: Upload coverage reports
         uses: codecov/codecov-action@v4.2.0
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/cscs-ci.py b/ci-scripts/configs/cscs-ci.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 221b58a1c9..0000000000
--- a/ci-scripts/configs/cscs-ci.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,153 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2016-2024 Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS/ETH Zurich)
-# ReFrame Project Developers. See the top-level LICENSE file for details.
-#
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
-
-#
-# CSCS CI settings
-#
-
-import reframe.utility.osext as osext
-
-
-site_configuration = {
-    'systems': [
-        {
-            'name': 'daint',
-            'descr': 'Piz Daint CI nodes',
-            'hostnames': [
-                'daint'
-            ],
-            'modules_system': 'tmod',
-            'resourcesdir': '/apps/common/UES/reframe/resources',
-            'partitions': [
-                {
-                    'name': 'gpu',
-                    'scheduler': 'slurm',
-                    'time_limit': '10m',
-                    'access': [
-                        '--constraint=gpu',
-                        '--partition=cscsci',
-                        f'--account={osext.osgroup()}'
-                    ],
-                    'environs': [
-                        'builtin'
-                    ],
-                    'descr': 'Hybrid nodes (Haswell/P100)',
-                    'max_jobs': 100,
-                    'resources': [
-                        {
-                            'name': 'switches',
-                            'options': [
-                                '--switches={num_switches}'
-                            ]
-                        }
-                    ],
-                    'launcher': 'srun'
-                }
-            ]
-        },
-        {
-            'name': 'dom',
-            'descr': 'Dom TDS',
-            'hostnames': [
-                'dom'
-            ],
-            'modules_system': 'tmod',
-            'resourcesdir': '/apps/common/UES/reframe/resources',
-            'partitions': [
-                {
-                    'name': 'slurm',
-                    'scheduler': 'slurm',
-                    'time_limit': '10m',
-                    'access': [
-                        '--constraint=gpu',
-                        f'--account={osext.osgroup()}'
-                    ],
-                    'environs': [
-                        'builtin'
-                    ],
-                    'descr': 'Hybrid nodes (Haswell/P100)',
-                    'max_jobs': 100,
-                    'resources': [
-                        {
-                            'name': 'switches',
-                            'options': [
-                                '--switches={num_switches}'
-                            ]
-                        }
-                    ],
-                    'launcher': 'srun'
-                },
-                {
-                    'name': 'pbs',
-                    'scheduler': 'pbs',
-                    'time_limit': '10m',
-                    'access': [
-                        'proc=gpu',
-                        f'-A {osext.osgroup()}'
-                    ],
-                    'environs': [
-                        'builtin'
-                    ],
-                    'descr': 'Hybrid nodes (Haswell/P100)',
-                    'max_jobs': 100,
-                    'launcher': 'mpiexec'
-                },
-                {
-                    'name': 'torque',
-                    'scheduler': 'torque',
-                    'time_limit': '10m',
-                    'access': [
-                        '-l proc=gpu',
-                        f'-A {osext.osgroup()}'
-                    ],
-                    'environs': [
-                        'builtin'
-                    ],
-                    'descr': 'Hybrid nodes (Haswell/P100)',
-                    'max_jobs': 100,
-                    'launcher': 'mpiexec'
-                }
-            ]
-        },
-        {
-            'name': 'tsa',
-            'descr': 'Tsa MCH',
-            'hostnames': [
-                r'tsa-\w+\d+'
-            ],
-            'modules_system': 'tmod',
-            'resourcesdir': '/apps/common/UES/reframe/resources',
-            'partitions': [
-                {
-                    'name': 'cn',
-                    'scheduler': 'slurm',
-                    'access': [
-                        '--partition=cn-regression'
-                    ],
-                    'environs': [
-                        'builtin'
-                    ],
-                    'descr': 'Tsa compute nodes',
-                    'max_jobs': 20,
-                    'resources': [
-                        {
-                            'name': '_rfm_gpu',
-                            'options': [
-                                '--gres=gpu:{num_gpus_per_node}'
-                            ]
-                        }
-                    ],
-                    'launcher': 'srun'
-                }
-            ]
-        },
-    ],
-    'general': [
-        {
-            'check_search_path': ['checks/'],
-            'check_search_recursive': True
-        }
-    ]
-}
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/envmod.py b/ci-scripts/configs/envmod.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6d31563ca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ci-scripts/configs/envmod.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Copyright 2016-2024 Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS/ETH Zurich)
+# ReFrame Project Developers. See the top-level LICENSE file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+
+site_configuration = {
+    'systems': [
+        {
+            'name': 'envmodsys',
+            'descr': 'Generic system using Environment Modules',
+            'hostnames': ['.*'],
+            'modules_system': 'envmod',
+            'partitions': [
+                {
+                    'name': 'default',
+                    'scheduler': 'local',
+                    'launcher': 'local',
+                    'environs': ['builtin']
+                }
+            ]
+        }
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py b/ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py
index e5fe1983ee..0ac569b197 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py
+++ b/ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py
@@ -3,15 +3,11 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 
-#
-# Generic fallback configuration
-#
-
 site_configuration = {
     'systems': [
         {
-            'name': 'generic',
-            'descr': 'Generic example system',
+            'name': 'lmodsys',
+            'descr': 'Generic system using Lmod',
             'hostnames': ['.*'],
             'modules_system': 'lmod',
             'partitions': [
@@ -22,49 +18,6 @@
                     'environs': ['builtin']
                 }
             ]
-        },
-    ],
-    'environments': [
-        {
-            'name': 'builtin',
-            'cc': 'cc',
-            'cxx': '',
-            'ftn': ''
-        },
-    ],
-    'logging': [
-        {
-            'handlers': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'stream',
-                    'name': 'stdout',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': '%(message)s'
-                },
-                {
-                    'type': 'file',
-                    'level': 'debug',
-                    'format': '[%(asctime)s] %(levelname)s: %(check_info)s: %(message)s',   # noqa: E501
-                    'append': False
-                }
-            ],
-            'handlers_perflog': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'filelog',
-                    'prefix': '%(check_system)s/%(check_partition)s',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': (
-                        '%(check_job_completion_time)s|reframe %(version)s|'
-                        '%(check_info)s|jobid=%(check_jobid)s|'
-                        '%(check_perf_var)s=%(check_perf_value)s|'
-                        'ref=%(check_perf_ref)s '
-                        '(l=%(check_perf_lower_thres)s, '
-                        'u=%(check_perf_upper_thres)s)|'
-                        '%(check_perf_unit)s'
-                    ),
-                    'append': True
-                }
-            ]
         }
-    ],
+    ]
 }
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/spack.py b/ci-scripts/configs/spack.py
index 7f2862bbac..d95d8c885a 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/configs/spack.py
+++ b/ci-scripts/configs/spack.py
@@ -3,15 +3,11 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 
-#
-# Generic fallback configuration
-#
-
 site_configuration = {
     'systems': [
         {
-            'name': 'generic',
-            'descr': 'Generic example system',
+            'name': 'spacksys',
+            'descr': 'Generic system using Spack',
             'hostnames': ['.*'],
             'modules_system': 'spack',
             'partitions': [
@@ -22,49 +18,6 @@
                     'environs': ['builtin']
                 }
             ]
-        },
-    ],
-    'environments': [
-        {
-            'name': 'builtin',
-            'cc': 'cc',
-            'cxx': '',
-            'ftn': ''
-        },
-    ],
-    'logging': [
-        {
-            'handlers': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'stream',
-                    'name': 'stdout',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': '%(message)s'
-                },
-                {
-                    'type': 'file',
-                    'level': 'debug',
-                    'format': '[%(asctime)s] %(levelname)s: %(check_info)s: %(message)s',   # noqa: E501
-                    'append': False
-                }
-            ],
-            'handlers_perflog': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'filelog',
-                    'prefix': '%(check_system)s/%(check_partition)s',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': (
-                        '%(check_job_completion_time)s|reframe %(version)s|'
-                        '%(check_info)s|jobid=%(check_jobid)s|'
-                        '%(check_perf_var)s=%(check_perf_value)s|'
-                        'ref=%(check_perf_ref)s '
-                        '(l=%(check_perf_lower_thres)s, '
-                        'u=%(check_perf_upper_thres)s)|'
-                        '%(check_perf_unit)s'
-                    ),
-                    'append': True
-                }
-            ]
         }
-    ],
+    ]
 }
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/tmod32.py b/ci-scripts/configs/tmod32.py
deleted file mode 100644
index c82594db06..0000000000
--- a/ci-scripts/configs/tmod32.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,70 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2016-2024 Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS/ETH Zurich)
-# ReFrame Project Developers. See the top-level LICENSE file for details.
-#
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
-
-#
-# Generic fallback configuration
-#
-
-site_configuration = {
-    'systems': [
-        {
-            'name': 'generic',
-            'descr': 'Generic example system',
-            'hostnames': ['.*'],
-            'modules_system': 'tmod32',
-            'partitions': [
-                {
-                    'name': 'default',
-                    'scheduler': 'local',
-                    'launcher': 'local',
-                    'environs': ['builtin']
-                }
-            ]
-        },
-    ],
-    'environments': [
-        {
-            'name': 'builtin',
-            'cc': 'cc',
-            'cxx': '',
-            'ftn': ''
-        },
-    ],
-    'logging': [
-        {
-            'handlers': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'stream',
-                    'name': 'stdout',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': '%(message)s'
-                },
-                {
-                    'type': 'file',
-                    'level': 'debug',
-                    'format': '[%(asctime)s] %(levelname)s: %(check_info)s: %(message)s',   # noqa: E501
-                    'append': False
-                }
-            ],
-            'handlers_perflog': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'filelog',
-                    'prefix': '%(check_system)s/%(check_partition)s',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': (
-                        '%(check_job_completion_time)s|reframe %(version)s|'
-                        '%(check_info)s|jobid=%(check_jobid)s|'
-                        '%(check_perf_var)s=%(check_perf_value)s|'
-                        'ref=%(check_perf_ref)s '
-                        '(l=%(check_perf_lower_thres)s, '
-                        'u=%(check_perf_upper_thres)s)|'
-                        '%(check_perf_unit)s'
-                    ),
-                    'append': True
-                }
-            ]
-        }
-    ],
-}
diff --git a/ci-scripts/configs/tmod4.py b/ci-scripts/configs/tmod4.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 1b9d4c6531..0000000000
--- a/ci-scripts/configs/tmod4.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,70 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2016-2024 Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS/ETH Zurich)
-# ReFrame Project Developers. See the top-level LICENSE file for details.
-#
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
-
-#
-# Generic fallback configuration
-#
-
-site_configuration = {
-    'systems': [
-        {
-            'name': 'generic',
-            'descr': 'Generic example system',
-            'hostnames': ['.*'],
-            'modules_system': 'tmod4',
-            'partitions': [
-                {
-                    'name': 'default',
-                    'scheduler': 'local',
-                    'launcher': 'local',
-                    'environs': ['builtin']
-                }
-            ]
-        },
-    ],
-    'environments': [
-        {
-            'name': 'builtin',
-            'cc': 'cc',
-            'cxx': '',
-            'ftn': ''
-        },
-    ],
-    'logging': [
-        {
-            'handlers': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'stream',
-                    'name': 'stdout',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': '%(message)s'
-                },
-                {
-                    'type': 'file',
-                    'level': 'debug',
-                    'format': '[%(asctime)s] %(levelname)s: %(check_info)s: %(message)s',   # noqa: E501
-                    'append': False
-                }
-            ],
-            'handlers_perflog': [
-                {
-                    'type': 'filelog',
-                    'prefix': '%(check_system)s/%(check_partition)s',
-                    'level': 'info',
-                    'format': (
-                        '%(check_job_completion_time)s|reframe %(version)s|'
-                        '%(check_info)s|jobid=%(check_jobid)s|'
-                        '%(check_perf_var)s=%(check_perf_value)s|'
-                        'ref=%(check_perf_ref)s '
-                        '(l=%(check_perf_lower_thres)s, '
-                        'u=%(check_perf_upper_thres)s)|'
-                        '%(check_perf_unit)s'
-                    ),
-                    'append': True
-                }
-            ]
-        }
-    ],
-}
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Lmod.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Lmod.dockerfile
index b908d76022..4240d9eb5a 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Lmod.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Lmod.dockerfile
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-FROM ubuntu:20.04
+FROM ubuntu:24.04
 
 ENV TZ=Europe/Zurich
 ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
-ENV _LMOD_VER=8.4.12
+ENV _LMOD_VER=9.0.4
 
 # Setup apt
 RUN \
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ RUN \
   update-ca-certificates
 
 # Required utilities
-RUN apt-get -y install wget
+RUN apt-get -y install bc wget
 
 # Install Lmod
 RUN \
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/eb-spack-howto.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/eb-spack-howto.dockerfile
index f308189495..c0a92e2962 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/eb-spack-howto.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/eb-spack-howto.dockerfile
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 #
 
 
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:8.4.12
+FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:9.0.4
 
-ENV _SPACK_VER=0.22.2
-ENV _EB_VER=4.9.4
+ENV _SPACK_VER=1.1.0
+ENV _EB_VER=5.1.2
 
 
 # Install ReFrame unit test requirements
@@ -19,10 +19,8 @@ RUN useradd -ms /bin/bash rfmuser
 USER rfmuser
 
 # Install Spack
-RUN git clone --branch v${_SPACK_VER} https://github.com/spack/spack ~/spack && \
-    cd ~/spack
-
-RUN pip3 install easybuild==${_EB_VER}
+RUN git clone --branch v${_SPACK_VER} --depth 1 https://github.com/spack/spack ~/spack
+RUN pip3 install --break-system-packages easybuild==${_EB_VER}
 
 ENV PATH="/home/rfmuser/.local/bin:${PATH}"
 
@@ -35,6 +33,6 @@ RUN ./bootstrap.sh
 
 RUN echo '. /usr/local/lmod/lmod/init/profile && . /home/rfmuser/spack/share/spack/setup-env.sh' > /home/rfmuser/setup.sh
 
-ENV BASH_ENV /home/rfmuser/setup.sh
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/rfmuser/setup.sh
 
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./bin/reframe --system=tutorialsys -r -C examples/tutorial/config/baseline_modules.py -R -c examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py -c examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py"]
+CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./bin/reframe --system=tutorialsys --exec-policy=serial -r -C examples/tutorial/config/baseline_modules.py -R -c examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py -c examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Tmod4.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/envmodules.dockerfile
similarity index 62%
rename from ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Tmod4.dockerfile
rename to ci-scripts/dockerfiles/envmodules.dockerfile
index d8f7fb66aa..e9360e38c0 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/Tmod4.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/envmodules.dockerfile
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-FROM ubuntu:20.04
+FROM ubuntu:24.04
 
 ENV TZ=Europe/Zurich
 ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
-ENV _TMOD_VER=4.6.0
+ENV _ENVMOD_VER=5.6.1
 
 # Setup apt
 RUN \
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@ RUN \
 # Required utilities
 RUN apt-get -y install wget less
 
-# Install Tmod4
+# Install Environment Modules
 RUN \
   apt-get -y install autoconf tcl-dev && \
-  wget -q https://github.com/cea-hpc/modules/archive/v${_TMOD_VER}.tar.gz -O tmod.tar.gz && \
+  wget -q https://github.com/cea-hpc/modules/archive/v${_ENVMOD_VER}.tar.gz -O tmod.tar.gz && \
   tar xzf tmod.tar.gz && \
-  cd modules-${_TMOD_VER} && \
+  cd modules-${_ENVMOD_VER} && \
   ./configure && make install && \
-  cd .. && rm -rf tmod.tar.gz modules-${_TMOD_VER} && \
+  cd .. && rm -rf tmod.tar.gz modules-${_ENVMOD_VER} && \
   apt-get clean && \
   rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
 
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod4.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-envmodules.dockerfile
similarity index 58%
rename from ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod4.dockerfile
rename to ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-envmodules.dockerfile
index 360a448991..6ab319c745 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod4.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-envmodules.dockerfile
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Execute this from the top-level ReFrame source directory
 #
 
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/tmod:4.6.0
+FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/envmodules:5.6.1
 
 
 # ReFrame requirements
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
 WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
 
 RUN ./bootstrap.sh
-RUN pip install pytest-cov
+RUN pip install --break-system-packages coverage
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/rfmuser/.profile
 
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/tmod4.py"]
+CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/envmod.py; coverage xml -o coverage.xml"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod.dockerfile
index f95dae4b67..2bd098d4a9 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod.dockerfile
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #
 
 
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:8.4.12
+FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:9.0.4
 
 # Install ReFrame unit test requirements
 RUN apt-get -y update && \
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
 WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
 
 RUN ./bootstrap.sh
-RUN pip install pytest-cov
+RUN pip install --break-system-packages coverage
+RUN echo '. /usr/local/lmod/lmod/init/profile' >> /home/rfmuser/.profile
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/rfmuser/.profile
 
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py"]
+CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py -v --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py; coverage xml -o coverage.xml"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod77.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod77.dockerfile
deleted file mode 100644
index 5ee2500394..0000000000
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-lmod77.dockerfile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-#
-# Execute this from the top-level ReFrame source directory
-#
-
-
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:7.7
-
-# Install ReFrame unit test requirements
-RUN apt-get -y update && \
-    apt-get -y install gcc git make python3 python3-pip
-
-# ReFrame user
-RUN useradd -ms /bin/bash rfmuser
-
-USER rfmuser
-
-# Install ReFrame from the current directory
-COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
-
-WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
-
-RUN ./bootstrap.sh
-RUN pip install pytest-cov
-
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/lmod.py"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-python.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-python.dockerfile
index d80d09f542..13156b8ed8 100644
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-python.dockerfile
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-python.dockerfile
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 
-ARG PYTHON_VERSION=3.6
+ARG PYTHON_VERSION=3.9
 
 FROM docker.io/python:${PYTHON_VERSION}
 
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
 
 WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
 
-RUN ./bootstrap.sh +docs
-RUN pip install pytest-cov
+RUN ./bootstrap.sh
+RUN pip install --break-system-packages coverage
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/rfmuser/.profile
 
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml"]
+CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py; coverage xml -o coverage.xml"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-spack.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-spack.dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c8c2bebd97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-spack.dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#
+# Execute this from the top-level ReFrame source directory
+#
+
+
+FROM ubuntu:24.04
+
+ENV _SPACK_VER=1.1.0
+
+# Install ReFrame unit test requirements
+RUN apt-get -y update && \
+    apt-get -y install gcc git make python3 python3-pip
+
+# ReFrame user
+RUN useradd -ms /bin/bash rfmuser
+
+USER rfmuser
+
+# Install Spack
+RUN git clone --branch v${_SPACK_VER} https://github.com/spack/spack ~/spack
+
+# Install ReFrame from the current directory
+COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
+
+WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
+
+RUN ./bootstrap.sh
+RUN pip install --break-system-packages coverage
+
+RUN echo '. /home/rfmuser/spack/share/spack/setup-env.sh' >> /home/rfmuser/.profile
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/rfmuser/.profile
+
+CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "coverage run --source=reframe ./test_reframe.py -v --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/spack.py; coverage xml -o coverage.xml"]
diff --git a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod32.dockerfile b/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod32.dockerfile
deleted file mode 100644
index df9418589f..0000000000
--- a/ci-scripts/dockerfiles/reframe-tmod32.dockerfile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-#
-# Execute this from the top-level ReFrame source directory
-#
-
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/tmod:3.2.10
-
-# ReFrame requirements
-RUN yum -y install gcc make git python3 python3-pip
-
-# ReFrame user
-RUN useradd -ms /bin/bash rfmuser
-RUN pip3 install pytest-cov
-
-USER rfmuser
-
-# Install ReFrame from the current directory
-COPY --chown=rfmuser . /home/rfmuser/reframe/
-
-WORKDIR /home/rfmuser/reframe
-
-RUN ./bootstrap.sh
-
-CMD ["/bin/bash", "-c", "./test_reframe.py --cov=reframe --cov-report=xml --rfm-user-config=ci-scripts/configs/tmod32.py"]
diff --git a/docs/config_reference.rst b/docs/config_reference.rst
index f8e8723df1..2aaa042242 100644
--- a/docs/config_reference.rst
+++ b/docs/config_reference.rst
@@ -161,25 +161,28 @@ System Configuration
    The modules system that should be used for loading environment modules on this system.
    Available values are the following:
 
-   - ``tmod``: The classic Tcl implementation of the `environment modules <https://sourceforge.net/projects/modules/files/Modules/modules-3.2.10/>`__ (version 3.2).
-   - ``tmod31``: The classic Tcl implementation of the `environment modules <https://sourceforge.net/projects/modules/files/Modules/modules-3.2.10/>`__ (version 3.1).
-     A separate backend is required for Tmod 3.1, because Python bindings are different from Tmod 3.2.
-   - ``tmod32``: A synonym of ``tmod``.
-   - ``tmod4``: The `new environment modules <http://modules.sourceforge.net/>`__ implementation (versions older than 4.1 are not supported).
+   - ``envmod``: The `new environment modules <https://modules.readthedocs.io/en/latest/>`__ implementation (versions older than 4.1 are not supported).
    - ``lmod``: The `Lua implementation <https://lmod.readthedocs.io/en/latest/>`__ of the environment modules.
    - ``spack``: `Spack <https://spack.readthedocs.io/en/latest/>`__'s built-in mechanism for managing modules.
+   - ``tmod4``: (deprecated) Synonym of ``envmod``.
    - ``nomod``: This is to denote that no modules system is used by this system.
 
    Normally,  upon loading the configuration of the system ReFrame checks that a sane installation exists for the modules system requested and will issue an error if it fails to find one.
    The modules system sanity check is skipped when the :attr:`~config.general.resolve_module_conflicts` is set to :obj:`False`.
    This is useful in cases where the current system does not have a modules system but the remote partitions have one and you would like ReFrame to generate the module commands.
 
-  .. versionadded:: 3.4
+   .. versionadded:: 3.4
       The ``spack`` backend is added.
 
-  .. versionchanged:: 4.5.0
+   .. versionchanged:: 4.5.0
      The modules system sanity check is skipped when the :attr:`config.general.resolve_module_conflicts` is not set.
 
+   .. versionchanged:: 4.10
+      The ``tmod``, ``tmod31``, ``tmod32`` backends are no more supported.
+
+   .. deprecated:: 4.10
+      The ``tmod4`` backend is deprecated; please use ``envmod`` instead.
+
 
 .. py:attribute:: systems.modules
 
diff --git a/docs/howto.rst b/docs/howto.rst
index 97c72bf55b..9e3acece64 100644
--- a/docs/howto.rst
+++ b/docs/howto.rst
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ Integrating with EasyBuild
 
 ReFrame integrates with the `EasyBuild <https://easybuild.io/>`__ build automation framework, which allows you to use EasyBuild for building the source code of your test.
 
-Let's consider a simple ReFrame test that installs ``bzip2-1.0.6`` given the easyconfig `bzip2-1.0.6.eb <https://github.com/eth-cscs/production/blob/master/easybuild/easyconfigs/b/bzip2/bzip2-1.0.6.eb>`__ and checks that the installed version is correct.
+Let's consider a simple ReFrame test that installs ``zlib-1.3.1`` given the easyconfig `zlib-1.3.1.eb <https://github.com/easybuilders/easybuild-easyconfigs/blob/develop/easybuild/easyconfigs/z/zlib/zlib-1.3.1.eb>`__ and checks that the installed version is correct.
 The following code block shows the check, highlighting the lines specific to this tutorial:
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ ReFrame generates the following commands to build and install the easyconfig:
 .. code-block:: bash
    :caption: Run in the EasyBuild+Spack container.
 
-   cat output/tutorialsys/default/builtin/BZip2EBCheck/rfm_build.sh
+   cat output/tutorialsys/default/builtin/ZlibEBCheck/rfm_build.sh
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ ReFrame generates the following commands to build and install the easyconfig:
    export EASYBUILD_INSTALLPATH=${stagedir}/easybuild
    export EASYBUILD_PREFIX=${stagedir}/easybuild
    export EASYBUILD_SOURCEPATH=${stagedir}/easybuild
-   eb bzip2-1.0.6.eb -f
+   eb zlib-1.3.1.eb -f
 
 All the files generated by EasyBuild (sources, temporary files, installed software and the corresponding modules) are kept under the test's stage directory, thus the relevant EasyBuild environment variables are set.
 
@@ -169,13 +169,13 @@ This generated final run script is the following:
 .. code-block:: bash
    :caption: Run in the EasyBuild+Spack container.
 
-   cat output/tutorialsys/default/builtin/BZip2EBCheck/rfm_job.sh
+   cat output/tutorialsys/default/builtin/ZlibEBCheck/rfm_job.sh
 
 .. code-block:: bash
 
    module use ${stagedir}/easybuild/modules/all
-   module load bzip/1.0.6
-   bzip2 --help
+   module load zlib/1.3.1
+   ls $LD_LIBRARY_PATH/libz.so.1.3.1
 
 
 Packaging the installation
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ Integrating with Spack
 
 ReFrame can also use `Spack <https://spack.io/>`__ to build a software package and test it.
 
-The example shown here is the equivalent to the `EasyBuild <#integrating-with-easybuild>`__ one that built ``bzip2``.
+The example shown here is the equivalent to the `EasyBuild <#integrating-with-easybuild>`__ one that built ``zlib``.
 Here is the test code:
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ Here is what ReFrame generates as a build script for this example:
 
    spack env create -d rfm_spack_env
    spack -e rfm_spack_env config add "config:install_tree:root:opt/spack"
-   spack -e rfm_spack_env add bzip2@1.0.6
+   spack -e rfm_spack_env add zlib@1.3.1
    spack -e rfm_spack_env install
 
 As you might have noticed ReFrame expects that Spack is already installed on the system.
@@ -262,12 +262,12 @@ Here is the stage directory structure:
    │   │           └── darwin-catalina-skylake
    │   ├── spack.lock
    │   └── spack.yaml
-   ├── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_build.err
-   ├── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_build.out
-   ├── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_build.sh
-   ├── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_job.err
-   ├── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_job.out
-   └── rfm_BZip2SpackCheck_job.sh
+   ├── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_build.err
+   ├── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_build.out
+   ├── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_build.sh
+   ├── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_job.err
+   ├── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_job.out
+   └── rfm_ZlibSpackCheck_job.sh
 
 
 Finally, here is the generated run script that ReFrame uses to run the test, once its build has succeeded:
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@ Finally, here is the generated run script that ReFrame uses to run the test, onc
 
    #!/bin/bash
    spack env create -d rfm_spack_env
-   eval `spack -e rfm_spack_env load --sh bzip2@1.0.6`
-   bzip2 --help
+   eval `spack -e rfm_spack_env load --sh zlib@1.3.1`
+   pkg-config --libs zlib
 
 From this point on, sanity and performance checking are exactly identical to any other ReFrame test.
 
diff --git a/docs/requirements.txt b/docs/requirements.txt
index 7447db2b40..a24877df97 100644
--- a/docs/requirements.txt
+++ b/docs/requirements.txt
@@ -1,20 +1,13 @@
 archspec==0.2.5
 ClusterShell==1.9.3
-docutils==0.18.1; python_version < '3.9'
 docutils==0.21.2; python_version >= '3.9'
 fasteners==0.19; python_version < '3.10'
 fasteners==0.20; python_version >= '3.10'
-jinja2==3.0.3; python_version == '3.6'
-jinja2==3.1.6; python_version >= '3.7'
+jinja2==3.1.6
 jsonschema==3.2.0
-PyYAML==6.0.1; python_version < '3.8'
-PyYAML==6.0.3; python_version >= '3.8'
-semver==2.13.0; python_version == '3.6'
-semver==3.0.4; python_version >= '3.7'
-Sphinx==5.3.0; python_version < '3.8'
-Sphinx==7.1.2; python_version == '3.8'
+PyYAML==6.0.3
+semver==3.0.4
 Sphinx==7.4.7; python_version == '3.9'
 Sphinx==8.1.3; python_version == '3.10'
 Sphinx==8.2.3; python_version >= '3.11'
-sphinx-rtd-theme==2.0.0; python_version < '3.9'
-sphinx-rtd-theme==3.0.2; python_version >= '3.9'
+sphinx-rtd-theme==3.0.2
diff --git a/docs/started.rst b/docs/started.rst
index 3ab07c0295..fa6bd84aa5 100644
--- a/docs/started.rst
+++ b/docs/started.rst
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Getting Started
 Requirements
 ------------
 
-* Python 3.6 or higher.
+* Python 3.9 or higher.
   Python 2 is not supported.
 * The required Python packages are the following:
 
@@ -16,12 +16,11 @@ Requirements
 .. note::
   .. versionchanged:: 3.0
 
-    Support for Python 3.5 has been dropped.
+      Support for Python 3.5 is dropped.
 
+  .. versionchanged:: 4.10
 
-.. warning::
-   Although ReFrame supports Python 3.6 and 3.7, you should note that these Python versions have reached end-of-life and you are strongly advised to use a newer version.
-   ReFrame installations on these Python versions may use out-of-date dependencies due to incompatibilities.
+      Support for Python < 3.9 is dropped.
 
 
 Getting the Framework
diff --git a/examples/tutorial/dockerfiles/eb-spack.dockerfile b/examples/tutorial/dockerfiles/eb-spack.dockerfile
index 645507a887..34a6fe1217 100644
--- a/examples/tutorial/dockerfiles/eb-spack.dockerfile
+++ b/examples/tutorial/dockerfiles/eb-spack.dockerfile
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 #
 
 
-FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:8.4.12
+FROM ghcr.io/reframe-hpc/lmod:9.0.4
 
-ENV _SPACK_VER=0.16
-ENV _EB_VER=4.4.1
+ENV _SPACK_VER=1.1.0
+ENV _EB_VER=5.1.2
 
 RUN apt-get -y update && \
     apt-get -y install curl && \
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ RUN git clone --depth 1 --branch $REFRAME_TAG https://github.com/reframe-hpc/ref
 ENV PATH=/usr/local/share/reframe/bin:$PATH
 
 # Install EasyBuild
-RUN pip3 install easybuild==${_EB_VER}
+RUN pip3 install --break-system-packages easybuild==${_EB_VER}
 
 # Add tutorial user
 RUN useradd -ms /bin/bash -G sudo user && \
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ WORKDIR /home/user
 
 # Install Spack
 RUN mkdir .local && cd .local && \
-    git clone --branch releases/v${_SPACK_VER} --depth 1 https://github.com/spack/spack
+    git clone --branch v${_SPACK_VER} --depth 1 https://github.com/spack/spack
 
-RUN echo '. /usr/local/lmod/lmod/init/profile && . /home/user/.local/spack/share/spack/setup-env.sh' > /home/user/.profile
-ENV BASH_ENV /home/user/.profile
+RUN echo '. /usr/local/lmod/lmod/init/profile && . /home/user/.local/spack/share/spack/setup-env.sh' >> /home/user/.profile
+ENV BASH_ENV=/home/user/.profile
diff --git a/examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py b/examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py
index 8e50d915f8..d859ab394a 100644
--- a/examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py
+++ b/examples/tutorial/easybuild/eb_test.py
@@ -8,17 +8,17 @@
 
 
 @rfm.simple_test
-class BZip2EBCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
+class ZlibEBCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     descr = 'Demo test using EasyBuild to build the test code'
     valid_systems = ['*']
     valid_prog_environs = ['builtin']
-    executable = 'bzip2'
-    executable_opts = ['--help']
+    executable = 'ls'
+    executable_opts = ['$LD_LIBRARY_PATH/libz.so.1.3.1']
     build_system = 'EasyBuild'
 
     @run_before('compile')
     def setup_build_system(self):
-        self.build_system.easyconfigs = ['bzip2-1.0.6.eb']
+        self.build_system.easyconfigs = ['zlib-1.3.1.eb']
         self.build_system.options = ['-f']
 
     @run_before('run')
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ def prepare_run(self):
         self.modules = self.build_system.generated_modules
 
     @sanity_function
-    def assert_version(self):
-        return sn.assert_found(r'Version 1.0.6', self.stderr)
+    def assert_exists(self):
+        return sn.assert_eq(self.job.exitcode, 0)
diff --git a/examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py b/examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py
index a095b11d99..e7ae86b1e4 100644
--- a/examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py
+++ b/examples/tutorial/spack/spack_test.py
@@ -8,18 +8,20 @@
 
 
 @rfm.simple_test
-class BZip2SpackCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
+class ZlibSpackCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     descr = 'Demo test using Spack to build the test code'
     valid_systems = ['*']
     valid_prog_environs = ['builtin']
-    executable = 'bzip2'
-    executable_opts = ['--help']
+    executable = 'pkg-config'
+    executable_opts = ['--libs', 'zlib']
     build_system = 'Spack'
 
     @run_before('compile')
     def setup_build_system(self):
-        self.build_system.specs = ['bzip2@1.0.6']
+        self.build_system.specs = ['zlib@1.3.1']
 
     @sanity_function
     def assert_version(self):
-        return sn.assert_found(r'Version 1.0.6', self.stderr)
+        return sn.assert_found(
+            r'-L.*/spack/linux-.*/zlib-1.3.1-.*/lib -lz', self.stdout
+        )
diff --git a/reframe/__init__.py b/reframe/__init__.py
index a661177c12..aeff4e1f58 100644
--- a/reframe/__init__.py
+++ b/reframe/__init__.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 INSTALL_PREFIX = os.path.normpath(
     os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..'))
 )
-MIN_PYTHON_VERSION = (3, 6, 0)
+MIN_PYTHON_VERSION = (3, 9, 0)
 
 # Check python version
 if sys.version_info[:3] < MIN_PYTHON_VERSION:
diff --git a/reframe/core/logging.py b/reframe/core/logging.py
index ec810e061a..bf1e1d6c48 100644
--- a/reframe/core/logging.py
+++ b/reframe/core/logging.py
@@ -337,12 +337,8 @@ class CheckFieldFormatter(logging.Formatter):
     # NOTE: This formatter will work only for the '%' style
     def __init__(self, fmt=None, datefmt=None, perffmt=None,
                  ignore_keys=None, style='%'):
-        if sys.version_info[:2] <= (3, 7):
-            super().__init__(fmt, datefmt, style)
-        else:
-            super().__init__(fmt, datefmt, style,
-                             validate=(fmt != '%(check_#ALL)s'))
-
+        super().__init__(fmt, datefmt, style,
+                         validate=(fmt != '%(check_#ALL)s'))
         self.__fmt = fmt
         self.__fmtperf = perffmt[:-1] if perffmt else ''
         self.__specs = re.findall(r'\%\((\S+?)\)s', fmt)
@@ -809,11 +805,10 @@ def __init__(self, name, level=logging.NOTSET):
     def setLevel(self, level):
         self.level = _check_level(level)
 
-        if sys.version_info[:2] >= (3, 7):
-            # Clear the internal cache of the base logger, otherwise the
-            # logger will remain disabled if its level is raised and then
-            # lowered again
-            self._cache.clear()
+        # Clear the internal cache of the base logger, otherwise the
+        # logger will remain disabled if its level is raised and then
+        # lowered again
+        self._cache.clear()
 
     def makeRecord(self, name, level, fn, lno, msg, args, exc_info,
                    func=None, extra=None, sinfo=None):
diff --git a/reframe/core/modules.py b/reframe/core/modules.py
index e8c9c504b1..292acd8843 100644
--- a/reframe/core/modules.py
+++ b/reframe/core/modules.py
@@ -112,13 +112,15 @@ def create(cls, modules_kind=None, validate=True):
         modules_impl = {
             None: NoModImpl,
             'nomod': NoModImpl,
-            'tmod31': TMod31Impl,
-            'tmod': TModImpl,
-            'tmod32': TModImpl,
-            'tmod4': TMod4Impl,
+            'tmod4': EnvModulesImpl,
+            'envmod': EnvModulesImpl,
             'lmod': LModImpl,
             'spack': SpackImpl
         }
+        if modules_kind == 'tmod4':
+            getlogger().warning("'tmod4' backend is deprecated; "
+                                "please use 'envmod' instead")
+
         try:
             impl_cls = modules_impl[modules_kind]
         except KeyError:
@@ -583,244 +585,8 @@ def __str__(self):
         return self.name() + ' ' + self.version()
 
 
-class TModImpl(ModulesSystemImpl):
-    '''Base class for TMod Module system (Tcl).'''
-
-    MIN_VERSION = (3, 2)
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self._version = None
-        self._validated = False
-        if self.validate:
-            self._do_validate()
-
-    def _do_validate(self):
-        # Try to figure out if we are indeed using the TCL version
-        try:
-            completed = osext.run_command('modulecmd -V')
-        except OSError as e:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                'could not find a sane TMod installation') from e
-
-        version_match = re.search(r'^VERSION=(\S+)', completed.stdout,
-                                  re.MULTILINE)
-        tcl_version_match = re.search(r'^TCL_VERSION=(\S+)', completed.stdout,
-                                      re.MULTILINE)
-
-        if version_match is None or tcl_version_match is None:
-            raise ConfigError('could not find a sane TMod installation')
-
-        version = version_match.group(1)
-        try:
-            ver_major, ver_minor = [int(v) for v in version.split('.')[:2]]
-        except ValueError:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                'could not parse TMod version string: ' + version) from None
-
-        if (ver_major, ver_minor) < self.MIN_VERSION:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                f'unsupported TMod version: '
-                f'{version} (required >= {self.MIN_VERSION})'
-            )
-
-        self._version = version
-        try:
-            # Try the Python bindings now
-            completed = osext.run_command(self.modulecmd())
-        except OSError as e:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                f'could not get the Python bindings for TMod: {e}'
-            ) from e
-
-        if re.search(r'Unknown shell type', completed.stderr):
-            raise ConfigError(
-                'Python is not supported by this TMod installation'
-            )
-
-        self._validated = True
-
-    def name(self):
-        return 'tmod'
-
-    def version(self):
-        return self._version
-
-    def modulecmd(self, *args):
-        return ' '.join(['modulecmd', 'python', *args])
-
-    def _execute(self, cmd, *args):
-        if not self._validated:
-            self._do_validate()
-
-        modulecmd = self.modulecmd(cmd, *args)
-        completed = osext.run_command(modulecmd)
-        if re.search(r'\bERROR\b', completed.stderr) is not None:
-            raise SpawnedProcessError(modulecmd,
-                                      completed.stdout,
-                                      completed.stderr,
-                                      completed.returncode)
-
-        exec(self.process(completed.stdout))
-        return completed.stderr
-
-    def available_modules(self, substr):
-        output = self.execute('avail', '-t', substr)
-        ret = []
-        for line in output.split('\n'):
-            if not line or line[-1] == ':':
-                # Ignore empty lines and path entries
-                continue
-
-            module = re.sub(r'\(default\)', '', line)
-            ret.append(Module(module))
-
-        return ret
-
-    def loaded_modules(self):
-        try:
-            # LOADEDMODULES may be defined but empty
-            return [Module(m)
-                    for m in os.environ['LOADEDMODULES'].split(':') if m]
-        except KeyError:
-            return []
-
-    def conflicted_modules(self, module):
-        output = self.execute_with_path('show', str(module), path=module.path)
-        return [Module(m.group(1))
-                for m in re.finditer(r'^conflict\s+(\S+)',
-                                     output, re.MULTILINE)]
-
-    def is_module_loaded(self, module):
-        return module in self.loaded_modules()
-
-    def load_module(self, module):
-        self.execute_with_path('load', str(module), path=module.path)
-
-    def unload_module(self, module):
-        self.execute('unload', str(module))
-
-    def unload_all(self):
-        self.execute('purge')
-
-    def searchpath(self):
-        path = os.getenv('MODULEPATH', '')
-        return path.split(':')
-
-    def searchpath_add(self, *dirs):
-        if dirs:
-            self.execute('use', *dirs)
-
-    def searchpath_remove(self, *dirs):
-        if dirs:
-            self.execute('unuse', *dirs)
-
-    def emit_load_instr(self, module):
-        commands = []
-        if module.path:
-            commands.append(f'module use {module.path}')
-
-        commands.append(f'module load {module.fullname}')
-        if module.path:
-            commands.append(f'module unuse {module.path}')
-
-        return commands
-
-    def emit_unload_instr(self, module):
-        return [f'module unload {module}']
-
-
-class TMod31Impl(TModImpl):
-    '''Module system for TMod (Tcl).'''
-
-    MIN_VERSION = (3, 1)
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self._version = None
-        self._command = None
-        self._validated = False
-        if self.validate:
-            self._do_validate()
-
-    def _do_validate(self):
-        # Try to figure out if we are indeed using the TCL version
-        try:
-            modulecmd = os.getenv('MODULESHOME')
-            modulecmd = os.path.join(modulecmd, 'modulecmd.tcl')
-            completed = osext.run_command(modulecmd)
-        except OSError as e:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                f'could not find a sane TMod31 installation: {e}'
-            ) from e
-
-        version_match = re.search(r'Release Tcl (\S+)', completed.stderr,
-                                  re.MULTILINE)
-        tcl_version_match = version_match
-
-        if version_match is None or tcl_version_match is None:
-            raise ConfigError('could not find a sane TMod31 installation')
-
-        version = version_match.group(1)
-        try:
-            ver_major, ver_minor = [int(v) for v in version.split('.')[:2]]
-        except ValueError:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                'could not parse TMod31 version string: ' + version) from None
-
-        if (ver_major, ver_minor) < self.MIN_VERSION:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                f'unsupported TMod version: {version} '
-                f'(required >= {self.MIN_VERSION})'
-            )
-
-        self._version = version
-        self._command = f'{modulecmd} python'
-        try:
-            # Try the Python bindings now
-            completed = osext.run_command(self._command)
-        except OSError as e:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                f'could not get the Python bindings for TMod31: {e}'
-            )
-
-        if re.search(r'Unknown shell type', completed.stderr):
-            raise ConfigError(
-                'Python is not supported by this TMod installation'
-            )
-
-        self._validated = True
-
-    def name(self):
-        return 'tmod31'
-
-    def modulecmd(self, *args):
-        return ' '.join([self._command, *args])
-
-    def _execute(self, cmd, *args):
-        if not self._validated:
-            self._do_validate()
-
-        modulecmd = self.modulecmd(cmd, *args)
-        completed = osext.run_command(modulecmd)
-        if re.search(r'\bERROR\b', completed.stderr) is not None:
-            raise SpawnedProcessError(modulecmd,
-                                      completed.stdout,
-                                      completed.stderr,
-                                      completed.returncode)
-
-        exec_match = re.search(r"^exec\s'(\S+)'", completed.stdout,
-                               re.MULTILINE)
-        if exec_match is None:
-            raise ConfigError('could not use the python bindings')
-
-        with open(exec_match.group(1), 'r') as content_file:
-            cmd = content_file.read()
-
-        exec(self.process(cmd))
-        return completed.stderr
-
-
-class TMod4Impl(TModImpl):
-    '''Module system for TMod 4.'''
+class EnvModulesImpl(ModulesSystemImpl):
+    '''Module system for Environment Modules.'''
 
     MIN_VERSION = (4, 1)
 
@@ -867,7 +633,10 @@ def _do_validate(self):
         self._validated = True
 
     def name(self):
-        return 'tmod4'
+        return 'envmod'
+
+    def version(self):
+        return self._version
 
     def modulecmd(self, *args):
         return ' '.join(['modulecmd', 'python', *args])
@@ -899,20 +668,34 @@ def load_module(self, module):
             # 'restore' discards previous module path manipulations
             for op, mp in self._extra_module_paths:
                 if op == '+':
-                    super().searchpath_add(mp)
+                    self.execute('use', mp)
                 else:
-                    super().searchpath_remove(mp)
+                    self.execute('unuse', mp)
 
             return []
         else:
-            return super().load_module(module)
+            self.execute_with_path('load', str(module), path=module.path)
 
     def unload_module(self, module):
         if module.collection:
-            # Module collection are not unloaded
+            # Module collections are not unloaded
             return
 
-        super().unload_module(module)
+        self.execute('unload', str(module))
+
+    def loaded_modules(self):
+        try:
+            # LOADEDMODULES may be defined but empty
+            return [Module(m)
+                    for m in os.environ['LOADEDMODULES'].split(':') if m]
+        except KeyError:
+            return []
+
+    def is_module_loaded(self, module):
+        return module in self.loaded_modules()
+
+    def unload_all(self):
+        self.execute('purge')
 
     def conflicted_modules(self, module):
         if module.collection:
@@ -921,7 +704,10 @@ def conflicted_modules(self, module):
             # collection
             return []
 
-        return super().conflicted_modules(module)
+        output = self.execute_with_path('show', str(module), path=module.path)
+        return [Module(m.group(1))
+                for m in re.finditer(r'^conflict\s+(\S+)',
+                                     output, re.MULTILINE)]
 
     def _emit_restore_instr(self, module):
         cmds = [f'module restore {module}']
@@ -938,28 +724,51 @@ def emit_load_instr(self, module):
         if module.collection:
             return self._emit_restore_instr(module)
 
-        return super().emit_load_instr(module)
+        commands = []
+        if module.path:
+            commands.append(f'module use {module.path}')
+
+        commands.append(f'module load {module.fullname}')
+        if module.path:
+            commands.append(f'module unuse {module.path}')
+
+        return commands
 
     def emit_unload_instr(self, module):
         if module.collection:
             return []
 
-        return super().emit_unload_instr(module)
+        return [f'module unload {module}']
+
+    def searchpath(self):
+        path = os.getenv('MODULEPATH', '')
+        return path.split(':')
 
     def searchpath_add(self, *dirs):
         if dirs:
             self._extra_module_paths += [('+', mp) for mp in dirs]
-
-        super().searchpath_add(*dirs)
+            self.execute('use', *dirs)
 
     def searchpath_remove(self, *dirs):
         if dirs:
             self._extra_module_paths += [('-', mp) for mp in dirs]
+            self.execute('unuse', *dirs)
+
+    def available_modules(self, substr):
+        output = self.execute('avail', '-t', substr)
+        ret = []
+        for line in output.split('\n'):
+            if not line or line[-1] == ':':
+                # Ignore empty lines and path entries
+                continue
 
-        super().searchpath_remove(*dirs)
+            module = re.sub(r'\(default\)', '', line)
+            ret.append(Module(module))
+
+        return ret
 
 
-class LModImpl(TMod4Impl):
+class LModImpl(EnvModulesImpl):
     '''Module system for Lmod (Tcl/Lua).'''
 
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/reframe/core/pipeline.py b/reframe/core/pipeline.py
index 09f03f0470..76790c4306 100644
--- a/reframe/core/pipeline.py
+++ b/reframe/core/pipeline.py
@@ -2616,7 +2616,7 @@ def _copy_to_outputdir(self):
                     dst = os.path.join(
                         self.outputdir, os.path.relpath(f, self.stagedir)
                     )
-                    osext.copytree(f, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True)
+                    shutil.copytree(f, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True)
                 else:
                     shutil.copy2(f, self.outputdir)
 
diff --git a/reframe/frontend/autodetect.py b/reframe/frontend/autodetect.py
index 3ef7a0b9d1..a84dbd72fd 100644
--- a/reframe/frontend/autodetect.py
+++ b/reframe/frontend/autodetect.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def __enter__(self):
                     src = os.path.join(rfm.INSTALL_PREFIX, p)
                     if os.path.isdir(src):
                         dst = os.path.join(self._workdir, p)
-                        osext.copytree(src, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True)
+                        shutil.copytree(src, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True)
                     else:
                         shutil.copy2(src, self._workdir)
             except FileNotFoundError:
diff --git a/reframe/schemas/config.json b/reframe/schemas/config.json
index ac03ea0fda..255acf948a 100644
--- a/reframe/schemas/config.json
+++ b/reframe/schemas/config.json
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
                     "max_local_jobs": {"type": "number"},
                     "modules_system": {
                         "type": "string",
-                        "enum": ["tmod", "tmod31", "tmod32", "tmod4",
+                        "enum": ["tmod4", "envmod",
                                  "lmod", "nomod", "spack"]
                     },
                     "modules": {"$ref": "#/defs/modules_list"},
diff --git a/reframe/utility/osext.py b/reframe/utility/osext.py
index 544c47900b..1b58972f4c 100644
--- a/reframe/utility/osext.py
+++ b/reframe/utility/osext.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 import reframe.utility as util
 from reframe.core.exceptions import (ReframeError, SpawnedProcessError,
                                      SpawnedProcessTimeout)
+from reframe.core.warnings import user_deprecation_warning
 from . import OrderedSet
 
 
@@ -409,52 +410,20 @@ def copytree(src, dst, symlinks=False, ignore=None, copy_function=shutil.copy2,
 
     This function will automatically delegate to :py:func:`shutil.copytree`
     for Python versions >= 3.8.
+
+    .. deprecated:: 4.10
+
+       Please use :py:func:`shutil.copytree` directly.
     '''
+    user_deprecation_warning('`osext.copytree()` is deprecated; '
+                             'please use `shutil.copytree()` directly')
+
     if src == os.path.commonpath([src, dst]):
         raise ValueError("cannot copy recursively the parent directory "
                          "`%s' into one of its descendants `%s'" % (src, dst))
 
-    if sys.version_info[1] >= 8:
-        return shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore, copy_function,
-                               ignore_dangling_symlinks, dirs_exist_ok)
-
-    if not dirs_exist_ok:
-        return shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore, copy_function,
-                               ignore_dangling_symlinks)
-
-    # dirs_exist_ok=True and Python < 3.8
-    if not os.path.exists(dst):
-        return shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore, copy_function,
-                               ignore_dangling_symlinks)
-
-    # dst exists; manually descend into the subdirectories, but do some sanity
-    # checking first
-
-    # We raise the following errors to comply with the copytree()'s behaviour
-
-    if not os.path.isdir(dst):
-        raise FileExistsError(errno.EEXIST, 'File exists', dst)
-
-    if not os.path.exists(src):
-        raise FileNotFoundError(errno.ENOENT, 'No such file or directory', src)
-
-    if not os.path.isdir(src):
-        raise NotADirectoryError(errno.ENOTDIR, 'Not a directory', src)
-
-    _, subdirs, files = list(os.walk(src))[0]
-    ignore_paths = ignore(src, os.listdir(src)) if ignore else {}
-    for f in files:
-        if f not in ignore_paths:
-            copy_function(os.path.join(src, f), os.path.join(dst, f),
-                          follow_symlinks=not symlinks)
-
-    for d in subdirs:
-        if d not in ignore_paths:
-            copytree(os.path.join(src, d), os.path.join(dst, d),
-                     symlinks, ignore, copy_function,
-                     ignore_dangling_symlinks, dirs_exist_ok)
-
-    return dst
+    return shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore, copy_function,
+                           ignore_dangling_symlinks, dirs_exist_ok)
 
 
 def copytree_virtual(src, dst, file_links=None,
@@ -464,10 +433,10 @@ def copytree_virtual(src, dst, file_links=None,
     ``file_links``.
 
     If ``file_links`` is empty or :class:`None`, this is equivalent to
-    :func:`copytree()`. The rest of the arguments are passed as-is to
-    :func:`copytree()`. Paths in ``file_links`` must be relative to ``src``.
-    If you try to pass ``'.'`` in ``file_links``, an :py:class:`OSError` will
-    be raised.
+    :py:func:`shutil.copytree()`. The rest of the arguments are passed as-is
+    to :py:func:`shutil.copytree()`. Paths in ``file_links`` must be relative
+    to ``src``. If you try to pass ``'.'`` in ``file_links``, an
+    :py:class:`OSError` will be raised.
 
     '''
 
@@ -510,8 +479,8 @@ def ignore(dir, contents):
                     if os.path.join(dir, c) in link_targets}
 
     # Copy to dst ignoring the file_links
-    copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore,
-             copy_function, ignore_dangling_symlinks, dirs_exist_ok)
+    shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks, ignore,
+                    copy_function, ignore_dangling_symlinks, dirs_exist_ok)
 
     # Now create the symlinks
     for f in link_targets:
diff --git a/reframe/utility/profile.py b/reframe/utility/profile.py
index 144970df0d..c6b94d52eb 100644
--- a/reframe/utility/profile.py
+++ b/reframe/utility/profile.py
@@ -6,9 +6,6 @@
 # A lightweight time profiler
 
 import time
-import sys
-
-from collections import OrderedDict
 
 
 class ProfilerError(Exception):
@@ -33,10 +30,7 @@ def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
 class TimeProfiler:
     def __init__(self):
         self._region_stack = ['root']
-        if sys.version_info[:2] < (3, 8):
-            self._region_times = OrderedDict()
-        else:
-            self._region_times = {}
+        self._region_times = {}
 
     @property
     def current_region(self):
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 4b5a2c45a9..0edca43782 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,40 +1,21 @@
 archspec==0.2.5
-argcomplete==3.1.2; python_version < '3.8'
 argcomplete==3.6.3; python_version >= '3.8'
 ClusterShell==1.9.3
 fasteners==0.19; python_version < '3.10'
 fasteners==0.20; python_version >= '3.10'
-importlib_metadata==4.0.1; python_version < '3.8'
-jinja2==3.0.3; python_version == '3.6'
-jinja2==3.1.6; python_version >= '3.7'
+jinja2==3.1.6
 jsonschema==3.2.0
-lxml==5.2.0; python_version < '3.8' and platform_machine == 'aarch64'
-lxml==5.4.0; python_version < '3.8' and platform_machine != 'aarch64'
-lxml==6.0.2; python_version >= '3.8'
-pytest==7.0.1; python_version < '3.8'
-pytest==8.3.5; python_version == '3.8'
+lxml==6.0.2
 pytest==8.4.2; python_version == '3.9'
 pytest==9.0.1; python_version >= '3.10'
-pytest-forked==1.4.0; python_version == '3.6'
-pytest-forked==1.6.0; python_version >= '3.7'
+pytest-forked==1.6.0
 pytest-parallel==0.1.1
-pytest-rerunfailures==10.3; python_version == '3.6'
-pytest-rerunfailures==13.0; python_version == '3.7'
-pytest-rerunfailures==14.0; python_version == '3.8'
 pytest-rerunfailures==16.0.1; python_version == '3.9'
 pytest-rerunfailures==16.1; python_version >= '3.10'
-PyYAML==6.0.1; python_version < '3.8'
-PyYAML==6.0.3; python_version >= '3.8'
-requests==2.27.1; python_version == '3.6'
-requests==2.31.0; python_version == '3.7'
-requests==2.32.4; python_version >= '3.8'
-semver==2.13.0; python_version == '3.6'
-semver==3.0.4; python_version >= '3.7'
-setuptools==59.6.0; python_version == '3.6'
-setuptools==68.0.0; python_version == '3.7'
-setuptools==75.3.0; python_version == '3.8'
-setuptools==80.9.0; python_version >= '3.9'
-tabulate==0.8.10; python_version == '3.6'
-tabulate==0.9.0; python_version >= '3.7'
+PyYAML==6.0.3
+requests==2.32.4
+semver==3.0.4
+setuptools==80.9.0
+tabulate==0.9.0
 wcwidth==0.2.14
-#+pygelf%pygelf==0.4.0
+#+pygelf%pygelf==0.4.3
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index a3db8c3f05..d63c748f29 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -9,9 +9,6 @@ long_description = file: README_minimal.md
 long_description_content_type = text/markdown
 classifiers =
     Development Status :: 5 - Production/Stable
-    Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6
-    Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7
-    Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11
@@ -24,29 +21,21 @@ classifiers =
 
 [options]
 packages = find_namespace:
-python_requires = >=3.6
+python_requires = >=3.9
 scripts = bin/reframe
 install_requires =
     archspec >= 0.2.4
     argcomplete
-    argcomplete <= 3.1.2; python_version < '3.8'
     ClusterShell
     fasteners==0.19; python_version < '3.10'
     fasteners
-    jinja2==3.0.3; python_version == '3.6'
     jinja2
     jsonschema
-    lxml==5.2.0; python_version < '3.8' and platform_machine == 'aarch64'
-    lxml==5.4.0; python_version < '3.8' and platform_machine != 'aarch64'
     lxml
-    PyYAML==6.0.1; python_version < '3.8'
     PyYAML
     requests
-    requests <= 2.27.1; python_version == '3.6'
     semver
-    semver <= 2.13.0; python_version == '3.6'
     tabulate
-    tabulate <= 0.8.10; python_version == '3.6'
 
 [options.packages.find]
 include = reframe,reframe.*,hpctestlib.*
diff --git a/unittests/test_cli.py b/unittests/test_cli.py
index 8742dc173b..640be0b94d 100644
--- a/unittests/test_cli.py
+++ b/unittests/test_cli.py
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ def test_timestamp_option_default(run_reframe):
     assert returncode == 0
 
     matches = re.findall(
-        r'(stage|output) directory: .*\/(\d{8}T\d{6}\+\d{4})', stdout
+        r'(stage|output) directory: .*\/(\d{8}T\d{6}(\+|-)\d{4})', stdout
     )
     assert len(matches) == 2
 
diff --git a/unittests/test_loader.py b/unittests/test_loader.py
index 729708bde7..ba32e5bc31 100644
--- a/unittests/test_loader.py
+++ b/unittests/test_loader.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import shutil
 
 import reframe as rfm
-import reframe.utility.osext as osext
 from reframe.core.exceptions import ReframeSyntaxError
 from reframe.frontend.loader import RegressionCheckLoader
 
@@ -148,7 +147,7 @@ def test_relative_import_outside_rfm_prefix(loader, tmp_path):
     # imported as a hierarchical module. If not, we want to make sure that
     # reframe will still load its parent modules
 
-    osext.copytree(
+    shutil.copytree(
         os.path.abspath('unittests/resources/checks_unlisted/testlib'),
         tmp_path / 'testlib', dirs_exist_ok=True
     )
diff --git a/unittests/test_modules.py b/unittests/test_modules.py
index feffdc5eb3..5f09e7dd7d 100644
--- a/unittests/test_modules.py
+++ b/unittests/test_modules.py
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@
 import reframe.core.environments as env
 import reframe.core.modules as modules
 import unittests.utility as test_util
+from reframe.utility.versioning import parse as parse_version
 from reframe.core.exceptions import ConfigError, EnvironError
 
 
-@pytest.fixture(params=['tmod', 'tmod4', 'lmod', 'spack', 'nomod'])
+@pytest.fixture(params=['envmod', 'lmod', 'spack', 'nomod'])
 def modules_system_nopath(request, monkeypatch):
     # Always pretend to be on a clean modules environment
     monkeypatch.setenv('MODULEPATH', '')
@@ -77,7 +78,11 @@ def module_collection(modules_system, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
 
     # Remove the temporary collection
     if modules_system.name == 'lmod':
-        prefix = os.path.join(os.environ['HOME'], '.lmod.d')
+        lmod_version = parse_version(modules_system.version)
+        if lmod_version < (9,):
+            prefix = os.path.join(os.environ['HOME'], '.lmod.d')
+        else:
+            prefix = os.path.join(os.environ['HOME'], '.config', 'lmod')
     else:
         prefix = os.path.join(os.environ['HOME'], '.module')
 
diff --git a/unittests/test_utility.py b/unittests/test_utility.py
index ca0939bd97..fb0a204ebb 100644
--- a/unittests/test_utility.py
+++ b/unittests/test_utility.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 from reframe.core.exceptions import (ConfigError,
                                      SpawnedProcessError,
                                      SpawnedProcessTimeout)
+from reframe.core.warnings import ReframeDeprecationWarning
 
 
 def test_command_success():
@@ -281,7 +282,8 @@ def test_copytree(tmp_path):
     dir_src.mkdir()
     dir_dst = tmp_path / 'dst'
     dir_dst.mkdir()
-    osext.copytree(str(dir_src), str(dir_dst), dirs_exist_ok=True)
+    with pytest.warns(ReframeDeprecationWarning):
+        osext.copytree(str(dir_src), str(dir_dst), dirs_exist_ok=True)
 
 
 def test_copytree_src_parent_of_dst(tmp_path):
@@ -289,7 +291,8 @@ def test_copytree_src_parent_of_dst(tmp_path):
     src_path = (dst_path / '..').resolve()
 
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        osext.copytree(str(src_path), str(dst_path))
+        with pytest.warns(ReframeDeprecationWarning):
+            osext.copytree(str(src_path), str(dst_path))
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(params=['dirs_exist_ok=True', 'dirs_exist_ok=False'])
@@ -303,7 +306,8 @@ def test_copytree_dst_notdir(tmp_path, dirs_exist_ok):
     dst = tmp_path / 'dst'
     dst.touch()
     with pytest.raises(FileExistsError, match=fr'{dst}'):
-        osext.copytree(str(dir_src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
+        with pytest.warns(ReframeDeprecationWarning):
+            osext.copytree(str(dir_src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
 
 
 def test_copytree_src_notdir(tmp_path, dirs_exist_ok):
@@ -312,7 +316,8 @@ def test_copytree_src_notdir(tmp_path, dirs_exist_ok):
     dst = tmp_path / 'dst'
     dst.mkdir()
     with pytest.raises(NotADirectoryError, match=fr'{src}'):
-        osext.copytree(str(src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
+        with pytest.warns(ReframeDeprecationWarning):
+            osext.copytree(str(src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
 
 
 def test_copytree_src_does_not_exist(tmp_path, dirs_exist_ok):
@@ -320,7 +325,8 @@ def test_copytree_src_does_not_exist(tmp_path, dirs_exist_ok):
     dst = tmp_path / 'dst'
     dst.mkdir()
     with pytest.raises(FileNotFoundError, match=fr'{src}'):
-        osext.copytree(str(src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
+        with pytest.warns(ReframeDeprecationWarning):
+            osext.copytree(str(src), str(dst), dirs_exist_ok=dirs_exist_ok)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture