Regulatory Governance

German Environment Agency Publishes Fact Sheet On Overestimated Climate And Environmental Targeting In Proposed EU Budget 2028–2034

In April 2026, the **German Environment Agency (UBA)** released a fact sheet arguing that the European Commission’s proposed **EU budget (MFF) 2028–2034** significantly overstates climate and environmental spending because many intervention areas are tagged with overly generous green coefficients. If taken up in the upcoming MFF negotiations, this critique could reshape climate‑ and environment‑labelled funding streams—especially in agriculture and cohesion policy—by tightening how EU budget lines qualify as genuinely supporting green objectives.

10 Apr 2026, 13:39umweltbundesamt.deEuropean Union

US House Committee Reports Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 (H.R. 2409)

In March 2026, a US House committee advanced the **Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 (H.R. 2409)**, a bill that would require all federal agencies to put a prominent, standard disclaimer on guidance documents stating they are non‑binding and only clarify existing law or policy.[^1^](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-119hrpt569/html/CRPT-119hrpt569.htm#:~:text=GUIDANCE%20CLARITY%20ACT%20OF%202025) If enacted, this cross‑cutting reform would not alter substantive regulatory requirements but would reshape how agencies like **EPA, OSHA, and FDA** present and rely on guidance, potentially affecting how companies weigh guidance versus formal rulemaking when assessing compliance risk.

10 Apr 2026, 10:37govinfo.govUnited States

Environmental Standards Scotland Adopts 2026–2031 Strategy for Environmental Law Oversight

Environmental Standards Scotland has adopted a five‑year Strategy 2026–2031, clarifying how it will use its statutory powers to oversee the implementation and effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland. The plan signals that climate change, biodiversity, circular‑economy/resource efficiency and water quality will be the main lenses for ESS scrutiny and enforcement, increasing attention on public bodies and regulated operators whose activities drive impacts in these areas.

10 Apr 2026, 10:16environmentalstandards.scotUnited Kingdom

EU Council Working Document Consolidates FR, PL and RO Comments on Digital Omnibus Reform of GDPR and ePrivacy

EU Member States have consolidated positions on the Digital Omnibus Regulation, targeting reforms to GDPR and ePrivacy rules for data processing and AI training. Companies should monitor shifting requirements for biometric data, pseudonymisation standards, and the potential migration of cookie consent rules into the core GDPR framework.

9 Apr 2026, 17:53briefing.table.mediaEuropean Union

US EPA Seeks Comment on Candidates for Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals Membership

The US EPA is refreshing the membership of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC), with a public comment period on candidates closing April 21, 2026. This selection process offers a strategic opportunity to influence the expert panel that peer-reviews TSCA risk evaluations and scientific methodologies.

9 Apr 2026, 14:23regulations.govUnited States

New York Senate Bill S09777 Proposes Periodic Renewal of FOIL Confidentiality Exemptions

New York Senate Bill S09777 proposes to end indefinite confidentiality for records submitted to state agencies by requiring entities to renew FOIL disclosure exemptions every three years. If enacted, businesses must implement rigorous tracking of confidentiality expiration dates to prevent sensitive commercial information from automatically entering the public domain.

9 Apr 2026, 14:22assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

NGOs Launch "The Pollution Playbook" On Chemicals Industry Scientific Deception At ISP-CWP Panel

NGOs have launched a high-profile campaign accusing the chemical industry of scientific deception to delay regulation, coinciding with the inaugural UN science-policy panel on chemicals. This signals intensifying pressure for strict conflict-of-interest rules that could exclude industry experts from international regulatory forums and increase scrutiny of corporate-funded research.

9 Apr 2026, 14:15corporateeurope.orgGlobal

Germany: Economy Ministry Upholds ASTAC Disciplinary Complaint and Orders BAFA to Improve LkSG Complaint Handling

Germany’s Economy Ministry has ordered the regulator (BAFA) to improve LkSG complaint procedures following a successful March 2026 disciplinary challenge by a trade union. This shift toward greater transparency and complainant access signals more rigorous enforcement oversight and increases the likelihood of formal investigations into corporate supply chain practices.

9 Apr 2026, 09:44business-humanrights.orgGermany

US White House Proposes FY2027 Budget With Deep Cuts To EPA And Science Agencies

The US White House released its FY2027 budget request, proposing a 52% funding cut to the EPA and significant reductions for science agencies like the NSF and NIH. If enacted, these cuts would severely constrain federal environmental enforcement, Superfund remediation, and the scientific research that underpins chemical and health regulations.

6 Apr 2026, 20:10whitehouse.govUnited States

AmCham EU Highlights Burdens of EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation Compliance

Industry advocacy is intensifying for the European Commission to reform the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) as compliance costs and procedural complexity exceed initial estimates. While legislative streamlining is under consideration, firms must maintain sophisticated global tracking systems for financial contributions to navigate increasingly granular regulatory scrutiny.

6 Apr 2026, 19:41amchameu.euEuropean Union

OECD Analyses Reporting Requirements in Social and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation

The OECD has identified significant fragmentation in reporting requirements across global due diligence laws, including the EU CSDDD, CSRD, and US UFLPA. Firms must manage overlapping data-collection burdens while tracking emerging policy moves toward international standardization and interoperable digital reporting formats.

6 Apr 2026, 19:38oecd.orgGlobalEuropean UnionUnited KingdomAustraliaCanadaNorwayGermanyFranceUnited States

California DPR Appoints Members to SPARC and Sustainable Pest Management Advisory Committees

California DPR has appointed members to two new advisory committees (SPARC and SPM) to guide pesticide risk mitigation and the transition to sustainable pest management. These committees will shape future pesticide evaluations and alternatives assessments, signaling a long-term shift toward stricter risk management and sustainable alternatives in the California market.

6 Apr 2026, 18:43cdpr.ca.govUnited States

UK CMA To Enforce Fuel Finder Registration And 30-Minute Fuel Price Reporting From 1 May 2026

The UK CMA will transition to active enforcement of the Fuel Finder open data scheme on 1 May 2026, requiring fuel retailers to report price changes within 30 minutes. Businesses must ensure technical integration and reporting processes are robust to avoid financial penalties as the regulator shifts from a facilitative to a punitive compliance stance.

5 Apr 2026, 19:41assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Welsh Government Launches Green Paper Consultation on Water Governance in Wales

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on fundamental water governance reforms, with feedback on the proposed sector "reset" due by April 2026. This signals a shift toward more stringent environmental permitting and resource management, requiring businesses to monitor emerging compliance and operational risks in Wales.

5 Apr 2026, 19:35gov.walesUnited Kingdom

Canada Plans Sunsetting of Chemicals Management Plan Funding

Canada’s 2026–27 Departmental Plan signals the sunsetting of dedicated Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) funding, transitioning activities into broader departmental operations. Businesses should anticipate potential delays in risk assessments and regulatory updates as resource constraints may force a reprioritization of chemical management activities.

5 Apr 2026, 18:33canada.caCanada

Netherlands Sets Multi-Year Labour and Social Security Enforcement Strategy 2026–2029

The Netherlands has established a multi-year enforcement strategy (2026–2029) that increases and indexes fines for health, safety, and labour law violations. Businesses must prepare for heightened financial risk and stricter oversight of labour providers, with mandatory authorization requirements taking full effect by 2028.

5 Apr 2026, 05:49open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Oregon Implements Water Rights Process And Permit Extension Reforms From 1 April 2026

Oregon is implementing comprehensive water-rights modernization reforms effective April 1, 2026, standardizing application processes and introducing stricter response deadlines. Businesses must update internal compliance workflows to meet new mandatory response windows and navigate revised permit extension limits to secure long-term water access.

4 Apr 2026, 11:53oregon.govUnited States

Ofwat Rule Requiring Fit-And-Proper Test For Water Company Directors Takes Effect In England And Wales

Ofwat has mandated a 'fit and proper person' test for water company directors in England and Wales, effective April 2026 for new hires and April 2027 for existing boards. This shift intensifies regulatory oversight of corporate governance, requiring companies to formalize integrity and competency assessments to mitigate reputational and operational risks.

4 Apr 2026, 11:04ofwat.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Commission Delivers Comments on Luxembourg Draft Labelling and Packaging Rules for Nicotine Pouches

Luxembourg’s draft regulation on nicotine pouch labelling and packaging has received European Commission comments, signaling progress toward final adoption. Companies must monitor for final technical specifications that will dictate market access and compliance for novel nicotine products in Luxembourg.

4 Apr 2026, 11:03ec.europa.euLuxembourgEuropean Union

Environment Agency Implements Higher Charges For Radioactive Substances Regulation At Non-Nuclear Sites In England

The Environment Agency has implemented increased permit and subsistence charges for radioactive substance regulation at non-nuclear sites in England, effective 1 April 2026. Industrial operators must account for higher operational costs as the Agency transitions to a full cost-recovery model for environmental permitting.

4 Apr 2026, 11:01gov.ukUnited Kingdom