Podcast: What You Need To Know About ESG Transparency

I am interested in buying a house by a river which is for sale. Will I own the riverbank? What responsibilities will I have for maintenance?

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) became generally applicable on 12 August 2026, introducing comprehensive sustainability, labeling, and conformity requirements that affect businesses placing packaged products on the EU market. Companies exporting to the EU must now treat packaging as part of product compliance rather than simply a waste issue, with key obligations already in force despite many requirements being phased in through 2030. Businesses that have not yet assessed their packag

Recent EU and UK regulations are transforming product sustainability through new requirements for packaging, batteries, textiles, and supply chains. From digital product passports to deforestation-free commodities, these developments create comprehensive obligations for manufacturers and traders seeking to operate in European markets.

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) runs from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, under a UK presidency As governments seek to tackle the climate emergency with increasing urgency, employers too are considering how best to play their part.

The European Union has introduced a comprehensive Sustainability Omnibus Package that will significantly impact how businesses across member states approach environmental, social, and governance reporting. Understanding these regulatory changes is crucial for companies operating in or with the EU to ensure compliance and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly.

The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) fundamentally transforms how physical goods are manufactured, tracked, and sold across the European single market by introducing binding performance standards, mandatory sustainability disclosures, and Digital Product Passports.

Over the last month we have seen a continued focus upon those making misleading environmental claims, an act known as greenwashing.

As sustainability pressures mount and net-zero targets drive demand for carbon offsetting, UK landowners face a significant opportunity to generate income through carbon credit schemes. With the market contributing £1.2 billion to the UK economy in 2025 and carbon credits trading at £25-£35 per tonne, peatland restoration and woodland creation projects offer substantial returns while enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection.

The Environment Agency has released updated guidance for Phase 4 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), introducing new reporting requirements and compliance changes. Organizations must now provide detailed information about implemented energy efficiency measures, including energy savings achieved and relevant categories, while Display Energy Certificates and Green Deal Assessments are no longer accepted as alternative compliance routes.

Republicans entered the 2026 midterms defending narrow majorities in both the House and Senate. Democrats won commanding majorities in both chambers, expanding their electoral map...

On Friday, July 9, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 14036, "Promoting Competition in the American Economy".

On July 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (covered separately here) in which the Commission advances its ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.

President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, introducing unprecedented tariff authority that could impose duties up to 100% on goods from countries purchasing Russian energy or facilitating sanctions evasion. The legislation creates a novel framework where tariffs stack on top of existing duties while codifying Russia sanctions into statute...

On September 30, 2026, Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) unveiled the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA; S. 5653), a comprehensive permitting reform package aimed at accelerating approvals for energy, infrastructure, transmission, mining, manufacturing, and other major projects. The legislation represents the most significant bipartisan permitting reform effort in years and follows months of negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats.

California continues to lead the way in regulating foods and dietary supplements sold within its borders. Two recent developments are worth highlighting: the nation’s first statewide “Non-Ultraprocessed” food certification program, and a second-of-its-kind law restricting sales of certain dietary supplements and over-the-counter products to individuals under 18. Below, we break down both measures and what they may mean for food and supplement companies doing business in the state.

The European Union’s (EU) revamped sustainability reporting framework is now final. On September 21, 2026, the revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and a new Voluntary European Sustainability Reporting Standard (VS) were published in the Official Journal, marking yet another significant step toward more proportionate sustainability reporting in Europe. In addition to previously raising applicable financial thresholds triggering compliance under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the revised ESRS cut mandatory datapoints for in-scope companies (i.e., undertakings under CSRD) by more than 60% and total datapoints by more than 70%.

On September 16, 2026, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum titled “Restoring Reciprocity in Government Procurement”, directing the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the United States Trade Representative, in coordination with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, to identify and take legally permitted steps to remove or restrict Canadian-origin items across the federal civil procurement system.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), together with other federal partners, issued a joint advisory on April 7, 2026 warning of ongoing Iranian‑affiliated cyber activity targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, including the energy, water, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

California's Legislature has unanimously passed SB 690, a landmark reform that could eliminate thousands of pending class action lawsuits based on website tracking technologies under the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The bill removes the private right of action for pen register claims arising from routine web analytics tools, potentially reshaping the data privacy litigation landscape while companion bills simultaneously expand substantive privacy obligations.