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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
1,113
Last updated
October 20, 2026

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Australia Circular Economy Framework

Australia Circular Economy Framework

by Australia Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Targets twice the current level of circularity by 2035
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Australia’s Circular Economy Framework is the national blueprint for accelerating the transition toward more efficient use, reuse, and recovery of materials. Published in 2024, it sets an ambition to double Australia’s circularity by 2035. Supporting targets include reducing per-capita material footprint by 10%, increasing material productivity by 30% and safely recovering 80% of resources. Initial priorities cover industry, the built environment, agriculture and food, and resources. The framework itself is not legally binding, but it is intended to influence regulation, product stewardship, public investment and sector policy. Packaging, durable goods, construction materials, food waste and mineral recovery are among the major focus areas.
Japan Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society

Japan Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society

by Ministry of the Environment of Japan
Makes the transition to a circular economy a national strategic priority
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Japan’s Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society was approved on August 2, 2024, and positions the transition to a circular economy as a national strategy. The plan integrates resource circulation with climate action, biodiversity, industrial competitiveness, economic security, and regional development. It promotes circular product design, stronger cooperation between manufacturers and recyclers, greater use of recycled materials, resilient waste infrastructure and regional circular systems. Fiscal year 2030 is the main target horizon, including a national resource productivity target of approximately ¥600,000 per tonne. The Plan itself is strategic rather than a standalone business compliance law, with binding requirements implemented through sector-specific waste and recycling legislation.
Finland Strategic Programme to Promote a Circular Economy

Finland Strategic Programme to Promote a Circular Economy

by Ministry of the Environment of Finland
Targets a carbon-neutral circular economy by 2035
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Finland’s Strategic Programme to Promote a Circular Economy sets a national vision for a carbon-neutral circular economy by 2035. The programme aims to keep domestic primary raw-material consumption at or below 2015 levels, double resource productivity and double the circular material use rate by 2035. It promotes recycled materials, circular business models, digital material traceability, public procurement and economic incentives. The programme itself is not a standalone business compliance law. Binding obligations arise through separate Finnish and EU legislation, while mechanisms such as the Circular Economy Green Deal allow companies, municipalities and other organizations to make voluntary commitments supporting the national targets.
Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030

Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030

by The Scottish Government
Sets 11 priority actions through 2030
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Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 was published in December 2024 and establishes 11 priority actions for improving resource use, waste prevention, reuse and recycling. Priorities include product stewardship, problematic single-use items, food waste reduction, circular construction, household and commercial recycling and decarbonization of residual waste. The Route Map complements the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 but is not itself a universal business compliance law. Individual measures may become legally binding when implemented through regulations or other legislation. The plan provides strategic direction through 2030, with longer-term circular economy policy expected to extend toward 2045.
Roadmap for a Circular Chile by 2040

Roadmap for a Circular Chile by 2040

by Chile Ministry of the Environment
Sets a national transition pathway through 2040
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Chile’s Roadmap for a Circular Chile by 2040 is the national policy instrument guiding the country’s transition toward a regenerative and resource-efficient circular economy. Development began in 2019, and the Roadmap was published in 2021 following extensive participation from government, businesses, academia, and civil society. It promotes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, efficient use of natural resources, circular innovation, green employment and more sustainable production and consumption. The Roadmap itself does not create direct company-level legal obligations or penalties. Binding requirements arise through separate measures such as Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility Law and other environmental regulations.
Netherlands National Circular Economy Programme 2023-2030

Netherlands National Circular Economy Programme 2023-2030

by Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
Sets the pathway toward a fully circular economy by 2050
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The Netherlands National Circular Economy Programme 2023-2030 sets out the country’s pathway toward a fully circular economy by 2050. It focuses on reducing raw-material use, replacing scarce and environmentally damaging materials, extending product lifetimes, and increasing high-quality reuse and recycling. Dutch policy has used a guiding objective of reducing primary abiotic raw-material use by 50% by 2030 compared with 2016, while moving toward broader product-level circularity indicators. Implementation combines legislation, EPR, public procurement, financial incentives and sector initiatives. The program itself does not impose one universal legal obligation, but its objectives increasingly influence Dutch and EU product, packaging, construction and waste regulation.
Global Plastic Action Partnership

Global Plastic Action Partnership

by World Economic Forum (WEF)
Supports country-led roadmaps to reduce plastic pollution and accelerate circular plastics systems
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The Global Plastic Action Partnership is a World Economic Forum-hosted public-private initiative launched in 2018 to reduce plastic pollution and accelerate circular plastics economies. GPAP works through National Plastic Action Partnerships that bring together governments, businesses, civil society and experts to develop evidence-based national roadmaps, mobilize investment and coordinate implementation. By January 2025, the network had expanded to 25 countries with a combined population exceeding 1.5 billion people. GPAP reported approximately US$3.1 billion mobilized through its national roadmap approach. The partnership is voluntary and does not impose legal obligations, but it can influence national waste, recycling, EPR, and plastics policy.
Bangladesh Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management 2026

Bangladesh Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management 2026

by Bangladesh Department of Environment (DoE)
Bangladesh introduces mandatory EPR requirements for plastic producers, importers and brand owners
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Bangladesh’s Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines for Plastic Waste Management 2026 establish mandatory EPR obligations for listed manufacturers, importers and brand owners of recyclable and non-recyclable plastic products. The guidelines were published in the Bangladesh Gazette on August 13, 2026. Obligated entities are phased into the system by company size and must register within six months of listing. During the first two years they must collect at least 15% and recycle 7.5% of applicable plastic waste, increasing to 30% collection and 15% recycling in subsequent years. Companies may comply individually or through a PRO and must submit annual progress reports. Export-only production under qualifying export orders is excluded.
Bangladesh National Plastic Action Partnership

Bangladesh National Plastic Action Partnership

by World Economic Forum (WEF)
Bring governments, business and civil society together to reduce plastic pollution
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National Plastic Action Partnerships are country-level multi-stakeholder platforms under the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership. NPAPs bring together governments, businesses, civil society and development partners to develop evidence-based national plastic action roadmaps, analyze plastic flows, align policy and investment, mobilize finance and accelerate circular economy solutions. UNDP currently hosts and coordinates NPAP Secretariats in eight countries, including Bangladesh. NPAPs are voluntary collaboration platforms and do not directly impose legal obligations or penalties. However, their recommendations can influence national policies covering EPR, packaging, recycling, waste management, and plastic reduction.
Circular Economy and Packaging Waste Policy Context

Circular Economy and Packaging Waste Policy Context

by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Packaging EPR shifts end-of-life costs to producers and supports circular material systems
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Extended Producer Responsibility is a circular economy policy approach that shifts financial or operational responsibility for products and packaging toward producers, including at the post-consumer stage. Packaging EPR systems commonly require producer registration, material reporting, PRO participation, and fees that fund collection, sorting, and recycling. More advanced systems also use eco-modulated fees, recycling targets, recycled-content requirements, packaging reduction and reuse incentives. EPR is increasingly used worldwide for packaging, electronics, batteries, vehicles and other waste streams. Requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction, making packaging composition, weight, sales geography and producer status important compliance data. EPR is best understood as a policy model rather than a single global law.
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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.