The 2017 compliance cycle for the European Union’s recast Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive marked an important milestone in efforts to promote circular economy principles across the electronics industry. As manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment finalized their reporting obligations for the year, many confronted the growing complexity of managing and […]
In mid-2017, federal agencies released important guidance under the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 designed to help critical infrastructure operators enhance supply chain transparency and resilience. This guidance reflected mounting concerns over the potential for cyber vulnerabilities to cascade through the complex networks of vendors and service providers that support the nation’s most essential systems. For […]
The defeat of Canada’s Modern Slavery Act, Bill C-383, in 2016 did not put an end to the country’s conversation on corporate responsibility and supply chain transparency. In fact, it arguably catalyzed new forms of engagement by industry associations determined to fill the regulatory void through voluntary measures. By 2017, several prominent business coalitions representing […]
The European Union’s Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), published in May 2017, marked a significant shift in how medical technologies are tracked, verified, and brought to market within the EU. With sweeping changes affecting manufacturers, importers, distributors, and notified bodies, the regulation’s provisions on Unique Device Identification (UDI) drew particular attention from supply chain and compliance […]
The U.S. Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA), enacted in February 2016, marked a turning point in modern customs oversight and trade data transparency. By 2017, importers and supply chain managers began to feel the practical effects of its provisions, particularly those tied to Section 301. This section, initially designed to strengthen the enforcement […]
The amendments to Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) in May 2016 marked a significant tightening of regulatory expectations across the country’s medical cannabis sector. By 2017, the impact of these amendments could be felt in every part of the supply chain, from cultivation sites to patient sales points. The central requirement […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has received a significant boost from Germany’s Constitutional Court. The court has cleared the path for the German government to endorse the trade agreement between the EU and Canada, which bolsters the deal’s chances of obtaining approval in […]
The International Trade Council notes a significant downturn in global oil prices, which have reached their lowest point in more than 11 years. This shift in the oil market is attributed to an ongoing diplomatic dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran, quelling speculation that OPEC members may agree on production cutbacks to boost prices. Crude […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has received a significant boost from Germany’s Constitutional Court. The court has cleared the path for the German government to endorse the trade agreement between the EU and Canada, which bolsters the deal’s chances of obtaining approval in the […]
The International Trade Council is pleased to announce a monumental development in global trade. The United States, along with 11 other Pacific Rim countries, have successfully concluded negotiations for a transformative and far-reaching trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Despite the undeniable historical significance, the TPP has also been a subject of […]
The 2023 updates to Japan’s Act on Promotion of Resource Recycling marked, in many respects, a turning point in the country’s approach to tracking e-waste. While the original 2020 legislation already laid down a framework for promoting circularity in materials use, the latest revisions take a more assertive stance on traceability, particularly when it comes […]
Highlighting the growing global demand for specialty coffee from Africa, the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) has called upon coffee traders across the continent to enhance the value of their exports and halt the shipment of unprocessed coffee to international markets. The message was conveyed during the 20th African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition, […]