ESMA supports using the EU Taxonomy as the exclusive source of sustainability information. Suggests better financial product classification and transparency. Demands policy consumer testing and regulation of ESG data goods. An opinion on improving the Sustainable Finance Regulatory Framework has been released by the European… Read More »ESMA Suggests Improving the EU Sustainable Finance Framework to Combat Greenwashing and Increase Investment Clarity

The report focuses on the construction of the National ETS, CEAs allocation and surrender, and progress made since the launch of the National Voluntary Market. In recent years, China has attached great importance to the development of a national carbon market to promote cost-effective carbon… Read More »China Reports Progress on National Carbon Market

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies of Sri Lanka has published the Standardization and Quality Control Regulations under the Import and Exports (Control) Act, No.1 of 1969, while repealing the 2017 regulations on May 17, 2024. All 161 specified goods shall be… Read More »Sri Lanka Revamps Regulations on Standardization and Quality Control of Imports and Exports

The program aims to establish carbon footprint accounting standards for about 200 items of products by 2030 On June 6, 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and 13 other central government departments of China announced a program for developing carbon footprint management framework in… Read More »Chinese government announces program for developing carbon footprint management framework

On July 12, 2024, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) revised the Packing Material Recyclability Rating Standard1. Specifically, the standards for rating the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle’s recyclability are detailed in the new version. The modifications are specified as below:  (1) Classification of PET bottles into… Read More »South Korea Revises the Packing Material Recyclability Rating Standards

As per an official notice issued on July 5, 2024, Vietnam has proposed a draft to revise Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP on Mitigation of GHG Emissions and Protection of Ozone Layer. Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP is a supplementary regulation for Vietnam’s Law on Environmental Protection 2020. It… Read More »Vietnam to Revise Decree on the Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Protection of the Ozone Layer

As of January 1, 2027, Rhode Island will outlaw PFAS in a range of consumer goods. The Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed House Bill 7356Aaa/Senate Bill 2152 Aaa, which establishes the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024, an Act Relating to Health and Safety… Read More »Rhode Island’s Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024 (RI H7356)

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), also known as Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, was implemented by the European Union (EU) on June 28, 2024. A foundation for establishing eco-design specifications for sustainable products is established by this law. In line with the goals of the… Read More »New Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) by EU

Importers and manufacturers of certain hazardous substances will need to report annually on the quantities imported or manufactured. In June, 2024, the New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued the Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Amendment Notice 2024, announcing the updates to the reporting requirements… Read More »New Zealand Updates Hazardous Substances Reporting Requirements

Introduction The Swiss Federal Council has proposed a major amendment to non-financial reporting in Switzerland.The changes, which were put out on June 26, 2024, would expand the scope of the Swiss reporting requirements from the current 300 corporations to an estimated 3,500 once they go… Read More »Switzerland Proposes Ambitious Expansion of Sustainability Reporting Requirements