SMEs and Start-ups

Australia Introduces Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026

Australia has introduced a bill to ban unfair trading practices, regulate subscription contracts, and mandate transparency for 'drip pricing' from July 2027. Businesses must review digital interface designs and subscription management workflows to ensure compliance with new transparency and cancellation standards or face significant civil penalties.

3 Apr 2026, 19:36aph.gov.auAustralia

EU Member States Issue Non-Paper On European Competitiveness Fund Proposal

Ten EU Member States have issued a joint position calling for a streamlined European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to drive innovation and reduce strategic dependencies through 2034. Businesses should anticipate a shift toward competitive, high-impact funding instruments that prioritize private investment leverage and simplified access for innovative scale-ups and SMEs.

3 Apr 2026, 17:53zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlEuropean UnionAustriaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyIrelandLuxembourgNetherlandsSpainSweden

EU Parliament SANT Committee To Hear Proposal to Amend MDR and IVDR

The European Parliament's SANT Committee will review the Commission's proposal to simplify the MDR and IVDR frameworks on April 14, 2026. This legislative push aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve certification predictability, signaling potential relief for medical device manufacturers facing compliance bottlenecks.

3 Apr 2026, 09:56europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Pennsylvania SB 1236 Proposes NPDES Waivers for Eligible Small Construction Sites

Pennsylvania introduced SB 1236 to allow NPDES stormwater permit waivers for small construction projects (1-5 acres) meeting federal criteria. This proposal aims to reduce administrative burdens and accelerate project timelines for eligible small-scale land disturbances by aligning state permitting with federal exemptions.

2 Apr 2026, 08:34legis.state.pa.usUnited States

Japan Promulgates Ordinance Amending Enforcement Regulations of Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations

Japan promulgated an ordinance on March 31, 2026, amending the enforcement regulations of its primary consumer protection law against misleading marketing and unjustifiable premiums. Companies should review digital marketing and promotional strategies to ensure compliance with heightened transparency standards for online advertising and consumer incentives.

1 Apr 2026, 19:47public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

US FSIS Launches Temporary Overtime and Holiday Inspection Fee Reductions for Small and Very Small Establishments

The US FSIS has launched a $20 million temporary program offering 30–75% reductions on overtime and holiday inspection fees for small and very small meat, poultry, and egg establishments. Eligible businesses should apply immediately to secure retroactive refunds for FY 2026 and future credits before the limited funding pool is exhausted.

1 Apr 2026, 14:17federalregister.govUnited States

EU Parliament Budgets Committee Adopts Budgetary Assessment on Proposed ECHA Regulation

The European Parliament’s Budgets Committee has endorsed the proposed ECHA Regulation while demanding a stricter fee-review cycle and a new financial reserve mechanism. This signals a shift toward a full cost-recovery model for ECHA services, likely leading to more frequent and potentially higher industry fees for REACH, CLP, and Biocidal product applications.

31 Mar 2026, 19:34europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Government Clarifies EPR Packaging Data Reporting Deadlines For Large And Small Producers

UK authorities have clarified reporting frequencies and deadlines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging data, with the next submission due by April 1, 2026. Businesses must ensure data collection systems align with these specific reporting cycles to avoid compliance gaps and accurately calculate future recycling obligations and fees.

31 Mar 2026, 19:20gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU EESC Adopts Opinion on CBAM Scope Extension and Temporary Decarbonisation Fund

The EESC has formally backed the extension of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to downstream goods while calling for a more robust, permanent decarbonization fund to protect export competitiveness. Businesses should prepare for expanded reporting obligations across value chains and advocate for manageable compliance requirements as the EU moves to close carbon leakage loopholes in finished products.

29 Mar 2026, 19:02data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Proposes Major Overhaul of MDR/IVDR to Cut Burdens and Protect Device Availability

The European Commission has proposed a major overhaul of the MDR and IVDR frameworks to simplify compliance and prevent supply shortages, with adoption expected by mid-2027. This shift toward open-ended certification and risk-based surveillance offers significant operational relief for manufacturers but requires careful navigation of emerging digital and cybersecurity reporting obligations.

29 Mar 2026, 17:30eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom

Peru Adopts Law No. 32570 Amending Law No. 30198 on Street Vending of Medicinal Plant Beverages

Peru has enacted Law No. 32570 to formalize the street vending of medicinal plant and traditional grain beverages as regulated microenterprises. This development mandates stricter adherence to food hygiene standards and municipal registration, signaling a shift toward professionalized oversight and sanitary compliance in the informal food sector.

29 Mar 2026, 17:05busquedas.elperuano.pePeru

France Announces Immediate Energy-Crisis Support Plan for Transport, Fishing and Agriculture

France has launched a €70 million emergency support package for April 2026 to mitigate energy price spikes for the transport, agriculture, and fishing sectors. Businesses should note the temporary fuel-aid relief and France's push for EU-level CBAM exemptions on fertilisers, signaling potential shifts in carbon-cost pass-through risks.

29 Mar 2026, 06:15presse.economie.gouv.frFrance

Netherlands Parliament Motion Requests National Guidance for PUR Oversight

The Dutch Parliament is considering a motion to establish national guidance for uniform PUR oversight and enforcement across municipalities. This signals a shift toward risk-based supervision and potential administrative relief, aiming to harmonize compliance expectations for the construction and insulation sectors.

28 Mar 2026, 20:36zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

EU Commission Publishes Consultation Summary on Revision of Public Procurement Directives

The European Commission has released a stakeholder consultation summary signaling a major overhaul of EU public procurement rules through a forthcoming "Public Procurement Act." Businesses should prepare for a shift toward mandatory green, social, and "Made in Europe" criteria, moving away from lowest-cost awards to favor regional resilience and sustainability.

28 Mar 2026, 20:35eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament Adopts Position Proposing Delayed Artificial Intelligence Act Application and Ban on Nudifier Apps

The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Digital Omnibus on AI, proposing a ban on "nudifier" systems and staggered compliance deadlines through 2028. Manufacturers must prepare for a phased regulatory rollout that aligns AI Act obligations with existing sectoral product safety laws for high-risk systems and consumer goods.

28 Mar 2026, 16:02europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Dutch Governance Code Updates ViA Guidance To Require Safety Culture Level 3 by 1 July 2026

Dutch construction safety requirements are tightening, mandating all supply chain partners to achieve Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) level 3 by July 2026. Companies must accelerate safety maturity investments and certification readiness to maintain eligibility for public and private contracts exceeding €100,000.

27 Mar 2026, 18:38gc-veiligheid.nlNetherlands

European Parliament Questions Commission on Adding Lead to REACH Annex XIV and Craft Sectors

A European Parliament inquiry has challenged the European Commission on the potential inclusion of lead in the REACH Authorisation List (Annex XIV), following ECHA's 2023 recommendation. This signals mounting political pressure to balance strict chemical restrictions with exemptions for specialized sectors, potentially complicating the timeline and scope of future lead authorizations.

27 Mar 2026, 18:37europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Outlines “Simpler and Faster Europe” Simplification Agenda to EP Legal Affairs Committee

The European Commission has launched its "Simpler and Faster Europe" agenda, targeting a 25% reduction in administrative costs with specific simplification packages for sustainability reporting and due diligence planned for 2025. This signals a shift toward streamlining CSRD and CSDDD compliance burdens while simultaneously intensifying the enforcement of existing EU regulatory frameworks.

27 Mar 2026, 11:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Speech Sets Out EU Regulatory Simplification Agenda

EU leaders and the Commission are accelerating a regulatory simplification agenda, aiming to finalize all pending "omnibus" burden-reduction packages by the end of 2026. This shift signals a move toward streamlining corporate sustainability and due diligence reporting to reduce administrative costs and improve industrial competitiveness.

27 Mar 2026, 11:55ec.europa.euEuropean Union

UK DSIT Publishes Procurement Policy For Goods, Services And Works

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published its procurement policy, operationalizing the Procurement Act 2023 and setting clear ESG expectations for suppliers. Businesses must prepare for mandatory social value weightings, carbon reduction reporting, and rigorous modern slavery due diligence to maintain eligibility for DSIT contracts.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom