Regulations Listing: Corporate Citizenship

Following the release of the Panama Papers, which leaked millions of documents from a Panamanian law firm, the Obama administration is using the opportunity to step up regulations and reporting on corporate transparency, especially in relation to the use of shell corporations.

On April 13, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a new Concept Release regarding public company disclosures through Regulation S-K. The public comment period will be open until July 21, 2016.

After easily passing through Congress, the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 was signed into law by President Obama on May 11.

The new Union Customs Code (UCC) (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013), passed back in 2013, took effect on May 1, 2016.

The Department of Commerce has recently released a report that serves as an initial attempt to define and measure the rapidly growing “sharing” economy. The report focuses on a very specific portion of the economy, which it calls “digital matching firms.”

To combat a stubbornly high unemployment rate, French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls are pushing forward with reforms to the country’s labor code, even invoking executive power to force the measures through the National Assembly, despite widespread anger and unrest among French citizens and labor unions.

A new government bill passed on May 12, 2016 increases the stakes for employees working illegally in the UK, and for the employers who hire them. The Immigration Act 2016 creates a new office for the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, who will be charged with centralizing and monitoring the enforcement of labor laws throughout all sectors of the economy.

Following stalled efforts by the Mexican federal government to implement anti-corruption reform, a group of experts and civil society organizations drafted the National Anti-Corruption System (NAS).

Foods comprised of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are estimated to be a billion dollar industry, but—despite their prevalence—there is still a lot of debate surrounding their use and regulation.

The Global Food Security Act of 2016 commits more than $7 billion to projects designed to boost agricultural productivity, economic activity, and food security, especially among women and children around the globe.

To reduce workplace compensation gender inequality, Massachusetts signed a new bill into law banning employers from asking for past salary information.

A new law, known as Decree No. (9) of 2015 (Dubai Fundraising Law), prohibits fundraising within the UAE without prior written approval from The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).