The EU’s Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), in force since 2013, has been something of a slow-burn regulatory force. For much of its early existence, companies affected by it—large public-interest entities mainly—treated the obligation as a disclosure exercise that could be satisfied by assembling environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information in a fairly general way. There […]
Australia’s National Plastics Plan, first introduced in 2021, has always had an ambitious edge, though some would argue its ambition has at times outpaced the practical tools available to those on the front lines of implementation. The 2022 open-data pilot, launched quietly but with considerable significance, marked the government’s first real push to operationalize transparency […]
The 2021 amendments to the US Tariff Act didn’t exactly make headlines the way that sweeping trade agreements or high-profile tariff battles do. Yet, for economists, policymakers, and—critically—supply chain professionals, these changes have quietly reshaped how firms are expected to document and disclose the knock-on effects of Section 301 tariffs. The amendments introduced a novel […]
The 2021 enforcement report on the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), published eight years after the regulation’s entry into force, offers a telling snapshot of both progress and persistent gaps in Europe’s efforts to curb illegal timber trade. The EUTR, designed to prevent illegally harvested timber and timber products from entering the EU market, was lauded […]
Canada’s Bill C-9, enacted in June 2018, quietly but decisively reshaped how the country approaches labour mobility, particularly in relation to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. It’s a piece of legislation that, while perhaps lacking the headline-grabbing profile of more contentious policy changes, has had a deep impact on the agricultural and technology sectors. […]
In February 2022, Executive Order 14067 was signed, marking a significant pivot in how the United States government approaches digital assets and the ecosystems that underpin them. Much of the immediate media focus fell, understandably, on its implications for consumer protection, financial stability, and the potential development of a central bank digital currency. But tucked […]
The European Union’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, which came into force in January 2021, was already considered by many to be a landmark in the global effort to reduce the trade in minerals that fund violence and human rights abuses. But as with so many regulatory frameworks, the first year of implementation revealed gaps—practical ambiguities that […]
The International Trade Council (ITC) recognizes the recent approval of a $700bn ( £577bn) economic package by the US Senate, encompassing major legislation on healthcare, tax, and climate change. This comprehensive bill seeks to decrease the cost of certain medications, elevate corporate taxes, and reduce carbon emissions. The passage of the bill, a cornerstone of […]
The International Trade Council is concerned about the recent trade restrictions imposed by China on Taiwan. In response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, Chinese commerce and customs authorities announced on Wednesday that they would halt exports of sand, imports of Taiwanese citrus fruit, and some types of fish. The Council recognizes China’s status […]
When the US Cybersecurity Disclosure Act was signed into law in March 2022, many in the policy and business communities welcomed it as both overdue and, frankly, daunting. The Act’s core requirement—that companies report significant supply-chain-related cybersecurity incidents—was born of growing concern over vulnerabilities that ripple outward from seemingly minor nodes in complex vendor networks. […]
The International Trade Council (ITC) commends US President Joe Biden’s commitment to address the climate crisis, as exemplified by the announcement of a $2.3bn ( £1.9bn) investment plan to enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme weather and natural disasters. As an organization deeply invested in fostering international trade that aligns with sustainability, the ITC supports […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the Go Global Awards will be held in Tallinn, Estonia in October 2022 in partnership with Enterprise Estonia. The Go Global Awards celebrate companies that drive the global economy forward through their innovative technologies and strategies. Enterprise Estonia, which won last year’s gold award for Best […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the Go Global Awards will be held in Tallinn, Estonia in October 2022 in partnership with Enterprise Estonia. The Go Global Awards celebrate companies that drive the global economy forward through their innovative technologies and strategies. Enterprise Estonia, which won last year’s gold award for Best […]
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, revised in 2018, has had no shortage of commentary over the past few years. But with the release of the first full year of reporting data through the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) in 2021, the conversation shifted—from theory and regulatory text to data, and what that […]
The International Trade Council (ITC) welcomes the decision of the Canadian government to ban the manufacturing and import of “harmful” single-use plastics. The new regulations, announced on 20 June 2022, will be effective from December 2023 and will prohibit the sale and import of checkout bags, utensils, food-service products with plastic that is difficult to […]
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), signed into law in December 2021 and taking effect on June 21, 2022, represents one of the most sweeping efforts by the United States to tackle forced labor concerns in global supply chains, particularly with respect to Xinjiang-origin goods. For apparel importers, this law imposes not only a […]