Net Zero Compare

Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

Track the policies, regulations, and standards that shape emissions reporting, disclosure, procurement, and sustainability compliance.

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Policy Types Guide
Policies tracked
1,005
Last updated
August 20, 2026

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Windsor Framework

Windsor Framework

by European Commission | UK Government
Establishes Northern Ireland Trade, Product and Regulatory Controls Across UK-EU Supply Chains
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The Windsor Framework is the UK-EU agreement reached in February 2023 to revise the operation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. It is designed to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market while preserving the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland and safeguarding the EU Single Market. It does this through new arrangements for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, including simplified processes for goods staying in Northern Ireland and full controls for goods moving onward into Ireland or the wider EU.
ESMA Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms

ESMA Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms

by European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
Tackling Greenwashing in EU Investment Funds
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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, establish minimum requirements for EU investment funds that use terms such as "sustainable", "environmental", "impact", "transition", "social" or "governance" in their names. The Guidelines aim to protect investors from exaggerated or unsubstantiated sustainability claims. They require qualifying funds to meet an 80% investment threshold and apply specified exclusions depending on the terminology used. The Guidelines have applied to new funds since November 2024 and to existing funds since May 2025.
Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

by Drive Sustainability
Supporting Responsible Automotive Supply Chains
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The Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a common supplier sustainability assessment developed by Drive Sustainability, an automotive industry partnership facilitated by CSR Europe. First introduced in 2014, it allows participating vehicle manufacturers to assess suppliers using a shared questionnaire rather than separate company-specific assessments. The SAQ examines suppliers’ documented policies, management systems and practices across environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, with supporting evidence used to validate responses. It is currently in its fifth edition, SAQ 5.0, launched in 2022. The questionnaire is used by major automotive manufacturers as part of their supply chain sustainability and due-diligence processes.
NHS England Net-Zero Supplier Roadmap

NHS England Net-Zero Supplier Roadmap

by NHS England
Establishes Carbon Reduction Plan and Sustainability Requirements Across NHS Procurement
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The NHS England Net-Zero Supplier Roadmap is a phased procurement framework requiring suppliers to align with the NHS net-zero ambition. It introduces progressively stronger supplier requirements on carbon reduction plans, emissions reporting, net zero commitments, sustainability assessment, and, from 2028, product-level carbon footprinting. The roadmap applies through NHS procurement processes and is designed to reduce emissions from the NHS supply chain, which is one of the largest sources of healthcare-related carbon impact.
EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

by European Commission | UK Government
Establishes Post-Brexit Trade, Rules of Origin and Sustainability Governance Across EU-UK Supply Chains
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The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) governs the post-Brexit relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. It provides zero tariffs and zero quotas for goods that meet rules of origin, but it does not recreate Single Market or Customs Union membership. Companies must manage customs, product compliance, SPS checks, rules of origin, transport limits, and regulatory divergence. The agreement also includes level playing field commitments on environment, climate, carbon pricing, labour rights and State aid. It is especially relevant for automotive, batteries, chemicals, food, energy, fisheries, logistics and industrial supply chains
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

by Government of Canada | Government of Mexico | United States Federal Government
Establishes North American Rules of Origin, Labour, Environmental and Supply-Chain Governance
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The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), also known as CUSMA in Canada and T-MEC in Mexico, replaced NAFTA and entered into force on 1 July 2020. It governs North American trade across goods, services, digital trade, agriculture, customs, labour, environment and automotive supply chains. It provides preferential treatment where rules of origin are met, including stronger automotive requirements such as 75% North American auto content. It also incorporates labour and environment provisions into the main text and makes them enforceable through dispute settlement. USMCA is especially relevant for EVs, batteries, automotive parts, textiles, agriculture, chemicals and cross-border manufacturing.
EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement

EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement

by State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) | Government of Switzerland | European Commission
Establishes Conformity Assessment Recognition and Product Market Access Across Industrial Sectors
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The EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is a conformity assessment agreement that entered into force in 2002. It reduces technical barriers to trade by allowing conformity assessment results from recognized bodies in one party to be accepted by the other for covered sectors. It applies to regulated industrial product sectors and helps avoid duplicate testing and certification. Companies must still comply with applicable EU or Swiss technical rules, use recognised conformity assessment bodies, maintain technical documentation and check whether the relevant sectoral chapter is operational. The MRA is important for machinery, electrical equipment, construction products, medtech, clean technology and industrial goods.
California Assembly Bill (AB 2446)

California Assembly Bill (AB 2446)

by California State Government
Packaging EPR in the United States: How State Laws Are Redefining Producer Responsibility
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AB 2446 requires that new residential buildings of 5+ units and non-residential buildings over a size threshold submit life-cycle assessments (LCAs) or Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for their construction materials, enabling measurement and reduction of embodied carbon. California aims for a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 (relative to 2020), with a possible ambition for 80% by 2045. The law is enacted; final measurement frameworks are due by mid-2025 under CARB. Once active, AB 2446 will make embodied carbon reporting and compliance a structural requirement for large construction projects, pushing builders toward low-carbon materials and sustainable procurement.
Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action

Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action

by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Establishes Voluntary Non-State Climate Action Coordination Across Businesses, Cities, Regions and Civil Society
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The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) is a voluntary UNFCCC-linked platform launched at COP22 in Marrakech in 2016. It supports Paris Agreement implementation by connecting governments with non-Party stakeholders, including companies, investors, cities, regions, civil society, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Led by the Climate High-Level Champions, it helps coordinate sectoral climate action, implementation initiatives and the Global Climate Action Agenda. It is not a law, certification scheme or enforcement regime. Its main relevance for companies is reputational and strategic, especially around credible net-zero targets, transition plans, emissions reductions, climate finance, adaptation and public claims.
Canada Impact Assessment Act (IAA)

Canada Impact Assessment Act (IAA)

by Government of Canada
Canada’s Impact Assessment Act governs federal assessment of major projects, integrating environmental, climate, and sustainability
View Policy
The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) is Canada’s federal law governing environmental, social, health, economic, and climatic impact assessments of major projects within federal jurisdiction. The Act replaced the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and came into force on August 28, 2019. It established the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and a structured process to assess whether designated projects are likely to cause significant adverse effects, including climate change impacts, and whether those effects can be avoided or mitigated. The IAA’s assessment process involves planning, tailored impact statements, substantive consideration of environmental and socio-economic factors, including greenhouse gas emission effects and mitigation measures, and public and Indigenous participation.
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Stay Ahead: Navigate Policies, Regulations & Standards with Confidence

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of policies, regulations, and standards can feel overwhelming. Yet, staying informed and compliant isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about creating opportunities to innovate, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge. Here’s what you need to know to make sense of it all.

Why Policies, Regulations, and Standards Matter

In today’s market, sustainability policies are no longer optional. Governments, industry groups, and global organizations are implementing rules to address environmental challenges, and businesses must adapt or risk falling behind. Regulations impact areas like:

  • Energy Usage: Mandates to reduce emissions and adopt renewable sources.

  • Reporting Requirements: Transparency in carbon accounting and environmental disclosures.

  • Product Standards: Ensuring sustainable materials and ethical sourcing.

By understanding and adhering to these frameworks, your business doesn’t just remain compliant—it positions itself as a leader in the green economy.

Key Categories of Policies and Standards

To navigate effectively, it’s helpful to categorize the rules you need to follow:

  • Global Initiatives: Agreements like the Paris Accord or ISO environmental standards provide overarching guidance.

  • Regional Regulations: Directives such as the EU’s Green Deal or US SEC climate risk disclosures impact localized markets.

  • Industry-Specific Rules: Sectoral requirements, like LEED certifications for construction or sustainable packaging mandates, can vary widely.

Understanding which rules apply to your business ensures your focus is strategic and impactful.

How to Stay Ahead

  1. Invest in Tools and Expertise: Use software and consultants that specialize in compliance and carbon tracking.

  2. Monitor Updates: Regulations evolve quickly. Stay connected with industry groups and government notifications.

  3. Integrate Compliance into Strategy: Instead of treating compliance as a cost center, align it with broader goals like cost savings or market differentiation.

The Bottom Line

Engaging with policies, regulations, and standards doesn’t just help your business avoid fines or legal issues. It positions you to innovate, enhance your reputation, and capture the growing demand for sustainable goods and services.

Ready to dive deeper? Explore the specific frameworks that shape your industry on this page, and start building compliance into your competitive advantage.