Regulatory Radar

REGULATORY RADAR - On March 21, 2018, Congress passed the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. The bill expands the existing criminal sex-trafficking law to rope in facilitation of trafficking by web sites.

REGULATORY RADAR -The government of Ontario has passed legislation that establishes the disclosure of compensation of employees and prospective employees. The bill, the Pay Transparency Act of 2018, was passed on May 2, 2018.

REGULATORY RADAR - On May 10, 2018, the directive on the security of Networks and Information Systems (known as the NIS Directive) was put into effect by the European Union (EU). The directive focuses on ensuring that information systems used to process data, control infrastructure, and to transmit information are secured against cyber-attacks.

REGULATORY RADAR - On May 9, 2018, California became the first state to require all new homes to have solar panels. The California Energy Commission passed the measure with a 5-0 vote.

REGULATORY RADAR - On April 12, 2018, the New Zealand government announced that it would no longer grant permits for offshore oil and gas exploration. The ban will apply to new permits and won’t affect the 22 permits that were previously granted.

REGULATORY RADAR -The United Kingdom introduced a bill that would require companies to report on pay ratios, comparing CEO remuneration to the average pay of the wider company workforce, with an explanation of any changes to the ratio from year to year.

REGULATORY RADAR - On May 9, 2018, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera announced that he had issued a directive to prohibit the use of plastic bags in all stores. Chile is the first nation in the Americas to ban retail businesses from using plastic bags, an initiative aimed at protecting the country’s ecosystem.

REGULATORY RADAR - The United Kingdom announced a plan to eliminate single-use plastics by 2021, in an effort to reduce marine litter. Single-use plastic products will be banned and replaced with more environmentally sustainable materials.

REGULATORY RADAR - If the deal is approved by both EU ministers and members, energy efficiency will be prioritized across all energy planning, policy, and investment decisions.

REGULATORY RADAR - The United Kingdom introduced a bill that will ensure houses built in the coming years are electric vehicle ready. According to the Road to Zero, a comprehensive package of laws introduced on July 9, 2018, all new homes should have a charge point available.

REGULATORY RADAR - On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that government workers who choose not to join a union cannot be charged for the cost of collective bargaining. The ruling was passed by a 5-to-4 vote.

REGULATORY RADAR - Hawaii lawmakers passed legislation that bans skincare companies from selling and distributing sunscreens that contain chemicals which damage coral reefs. The bill makes Hawaii the first state to enact legislation designed to protect marine ecosystems.