The Global Regulations Radar, 6th Edition: Quarterly update on ESG and EHS regulations

Consistent global ESG and EHS expectations are beginning to come into view. What is still being calibrated is how firmly they will apply and to whom.

Governments, regulators, and standard-setters are increasingly converging around expectations for governance, accountability, and measurable performance. At the same time, reporting requirements, implementation timelines, and enforcement approaches continue to evolve as jurisdictions recalibrate how these expectations apply in practice. 

The 6th edition of the Global Regulations Radar highlights key regulatory developments, implementation updates, and upcoming deadlines across the globe. It also examines two influential standards that are helping shape future regulatory expectations. 

The following regional developments illustrate how regulatory expectations are continuing to converge, even as implementation approaches diverge. 

Europe 

Europe is recalibrating sustainability reporting requirements, but the broader direction remains intact. While reporting obligations have been narrowed and simplified, requirements relating to forced labour, methane emissions, and pay transparency continue to advance. This edition explores what these changes mean in practice and where companies should focus next.

North America

The regulatory landscape in North America remains dynamic and contested. New requirements for refrigerant management and supply chain due diligence sit alongside federal deregulation efforts, evolving state-level climate disclosure rules, and ongoing legal challenges. We examine the developments shaping compliance obligations across the region.

Latin America 

Mexico's new General Circular Economy Law establishes a national framework for the transition toward greater resource efficiency, circularity, and materials management. While many operational requirements will be introduced through future secondary regulations, the law provides an early indication of how circular economy principles may increasingly shape product stewardship, resource use, and waste management obligations in the region. 

Asia-Pacific 

Australia continues to expand its sustainability reporting regime while introducing new climate, carbon, and supply chain accountability measures. As reporting requirements phase in and regulatory expectations mature, companies are navigating an increasingly active ESG landscape.

Another View: Standards shaping regulation

Some of the most influential developments in this edition are not regulations at all. The publication of ISO 14001:2026 and the Science Based Targets Initiative’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0 reinforces a growing emphasis on governance, accountability, and measurable performance, while providing an early indication of where future regulatory expectations may be heading. 

Download the full report to understand the latest developments, upcoming deadlines, and practical implications for your organization.