The European Union’s Plastics Strategy, announced in January 2018, marked a turning point in efforts to reduce environmental harm from plastics while promoting circular economy principles. At its core, the strategy called for systemic changes in the production, use, and disposal of plastic materials. One of its most significant implications for industry was the increased […]
Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Strategy, announced in December 2017, set in motion a national framework aimed at eliminating plastic waste through collaboration, innovation, and systemic change. For the fast-moving consumer goods sector, the strategy signaled a shift from voluntary recycling initiatives toward structured partnerships that could deliver measurable improvements in plastic recovery and circularity. By […]
The European Timber Regulation (EUTR), implemented in 2013, sought to curb illegal logging and ensure that only legally harvested timber entered the EU market. By 2018, the European Commission had initiated a formal transparency review aimed at assessing the regulation’s effectiveness and identifying areas where digital tools could enhance compliance. The findings of this review, […]
The passage of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December 2017 represented one of the most sweeping changes to American tax law in decades. Among its many provisions, the Act’s repatriation tax incentives stood out for their potential to reshape how multinational corporations approached their global supply chains. By offering a one-time, […]
When Canada’s Bill C-63 became law in June 2017, it introduced a suite of maritime security provisions aimed at strengthening the integrity of the nation’s ports and safeguarding the country’s international trade routes. While the legislative text emphasized enhanced regulatory powers, including the ability of officials to board vessels and inspect cargo more efficiently, the […]
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 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 […]