For all the advances in global logistics and data analytics, supply chain transparency remains a surprisingly elusive goal. Even the most sophisticated firms, in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, or automotive, frequently struggle to see beyond their first or second-tier suppliers. The consequences are now well understood: sudden shortages, cascading disruptions, and, at times, reputational damage […]
The European Commission’s 2019 update to Regulation 1223/2009 served as a critical reminder to cosmetics manufacturers and importers that the EU’s animal testing ban is not just symbolic—it’s enforceable and expanding in scope. This clarification addressed lingering ambiguities about imported ingredients and components tested on animals outside the EU, making it clear that any product […]
Urbanization is rarely a neat, linear process. Cities swell in fits and starts, often outpacing the plans drawn up by planners or the hopes of policymakers. For those seeking to understand not just how much cities are growing, but what that growth actually looks like on the ground, ISIC 4120—covering the construction of residential and […]
When the Federal Seed Act was amended in December 2018, it quietly marked a significant turning point in the traceability expectations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within U.S. agricultural supply chains. Although the Seed Act has long served as a foundation for labeling and purity standards, the latest amendments introduced explicit disclosure requirements related to […]
In May 2019, Canada took a decisive step toward addressing forced labor and human trafficking risks in supply chains with the launch of a public consultation on a proposed Modern Slavery Act. The consultation process, led by Global Affairs Canada, invited feedback from a broad cross-section of society—including businesses, civil society organizations, and concerned individuals—on […]
In mid-2019, industry associations representing the electronics and automotive sectors released a comprehensive toolkit designed to help companies comply with the European Union’s Conflict Minerals Regulation (2017). Aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals, the toolkit offered practical templates, checklists, and open data resources to facilitate conflict minerals reporting. […]
The story of advertising in 2019 is, at its core, a story of digital migration. As brands poured resources into online platforms, agencies adapted—some with ease, others with urgency. But beneath the headlines and the creative sizzle, analysts and policymakers faced the perennial question: How fast is this shift happening, and where is the momentum […]
In the wake of OFWAT’s 2018 water resilience rules, utilities across the United Kingdom faced mounting pressure to strengthen supply chain visibility and ensure uninterrupted water services during drought conditions. The regulatory framework, designed to protect consumers and safeguard natural resources, required water companies to demonstrate that their operations and supply chains could withstand prolonged […]
In June 2019, the United States government implemented adjustments to anti-dumping tariff rate quotas (TRQs) that notably affected the importation of solar cells and steel products. These adjustments introduced stricter requirements for importers to report upstream supply sources as part of enhanced trade compliance measures. The changes aimed to tighten controls on imports linked to […]
The coming into force of Canada’s Bill C-69 in August 2019 marked, as many would cautiously agree, a significant turning point in how mining projects must approach environmental assessments and related supply chain transparency. It’s not merely about satisfying regulatory requirements on paper; there is now, arguably, a heightened expectation for firms to demonstrate how […]
Global trade in staple goods—food, beverages, and tobacco—rarely commands headlines, but it is the unseen engine behind everything from food security to macroeconomic stability. In 2019, shifts in wholesale trade flows told a story not only of market trends, but also of policy moves and changing consumer preferences. For analysts trying to map these currents, […]
The adoption of the EU Climate Law by the European Parliament in June 2019 signaled, in no uncertain terms, a new era of regulatory expectations for greenhouse gas reporting. For large manufacturing firms, the change was both anticipated and, to some extent, quietly dreaded. After all, while many companies had long acknowledged the importance of […]
The passage of the Trying to Combat Illegal Fishing Act (TIFFA) in December 2018 marked a significant shift in U.S. policy toward tightening seafood supply chain controls. By mid-2019, seafood importers and processors found themselves grappling with a new and demanding compliance landscape. The Act’s core requirement—that all seafood imports be traceable to the port […]
As the U.K. Home Office initiated its second formal review of the Modern Slavery Act in late 2019, many companies across sectors found themselves reflecting, perhaps with some unease, on the adequacy of their current compliance strategies. There has been, for some time, an undercurrent of frustration in certain corners of industry regarding the difficulty […]
In a world increasingly driven by automation and electrification, the global trade in electric motors is both a barometer and a driver of industrial change. For economists, policymakers, and industry strategists, understanding the movement of these products in 2018 and 2019 requires more than simply scanning export tallies. ISIC 2710—covering the manufacture of electric motors—offers […]
The May 2019 revision of the EU’s tariff-free textile quotas was a development that, while not entirely unexpected, prompted a flurry of recalibration across the apparel import sector. Many importers, already navigating a complex patchwork of preferential arrangements, found themselves needing to revisit sourcing strategies with little time to spare. The revision itself—intended, according to […]