Regulatory Radar

Corporate sustainability reporting rules gaining traction in US and EU

REGULATORY RADAR - Across the world, regulators are laying more groundwork that signals increased environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting requirements for corporations in the future.

Canada declares plastic a toxic substance

REGULATORY RADAR - Canada’s primary environmental law, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), now considers plastic a toxic substance.

EU countries signal human rights due diligence requirements for companies

REGULATORY RADAR - Businesses in EU member states must now carry out due diligence with respect to human rights, environmental, and governance risks in their operations and business relationships.

Nevada and Oregon join growing list of states and municipalities that ban discrimination based on natural hair

REGULATORY RADAR - Nevada and Oregon join 11 other states that have passed legislation protecting people of color from hair discrimination in school and the workplace.

New environmental regulations in Washington state

REGULATORY RADAR - Washington state passed two major environmental regulations affecting employers operating in that state.

Canada to enforce pay equity act starting August 31

REGULATORY RADAR - All federally regulated employers in Canada with 10 or more employees must develop a pay equity plan.

TCFD reporting rules to affect more UK-based companies

REGULATORY RADAR - The UK's FCA published plans to extend climate reporting requirements to most UK-listed companies and domestic asset managers.

EU publishes guidance to help companies address forced labor in supply chains

REGULATORY RADAR - The guidance is intended to enhance companies' capacity to eradicate forced labor from value chains.

SEC announces annual regulatory agenda, including proposed ESG disclosures

REGULATORY RADAR - The SEC's annual regulatory agenda includes proposed rules dealing with climate change disclosure, board diversity, ESG investments, cybersecurity, and human capital management

Maine requires companies to pay for packaging

REGULATORY RADAR -On July 13, 2021, Maine signed the United States’ first packaging-based extended producer responsibility (EPR) program into law, signaling a possible change in the recycling systems in the nation.

SEC approves Nasdaq’s plan to boost diversity on corporate boards

REGULATORY RADAR - On August 6, 2021, the SEC approved two board diversity proposals previously filed by the stock market index Nasdaq: the Board Diversity Proposal and the Board Recruiting Service Proposal.

Biden executive order targets half of all vehicles sold to be electric by 2030

REGULATORY RADAR - On August 5, 2021, President Joseph Biden announced and signed an executive order that sets a new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles.