Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

The EU Plant Protection Products Regulation governs how pesticides and other plant protection products are approved, authorized, placed on the market and used across the European Union. It creates a two-level regulatory system: active substances are assessed at EU level, while formulated products are authorised by Member States. The framework has direct implications for agriculture, food supply chains, agrochemical manufacturers, importers, retailers, biodiversity, water quality, residue compliance and sustainable farming.

The EU Mercury Regulation governs the use, storage, trade, manufacture, import, export and waste management of mercury, mercury compounds, mercury mixtures and mercury-added products. It implements EU obligations under the Minamata Convention and creates a chemical phase-out framework affecting dentistry, lighting, measuring devices, industrial processes, waste operators, importers, exporters, healthcare providers and manufacturers. The regulation has direct implications for hazardous substances governance, product compliance, circular economy and pollution prevention.

The EU Maximum Residue Levels Regulation sets legally binding limits for pesticide residues in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin. It affects farmers, food processors, retailers, importers, exporters, laboratories and agrochemical suppliers by linking pesticide use to residue testing, food safety compliance, market access and supply chain traceability.

EU Food Contact Materials rules, led by Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, regulate materials and articles intended to contact food. They require materials to be safe and inert, preventing chemical migration that could endanger health or alter food. The framework affects packaging, coatings, inks, adhesives, kitchenware, processing equipment and recycled materials. Companies must manage declarations of compliance, migration testing, traceability and good manufacturing practice. The regime links food safety, packaging procurement, circular economy and supplier documentation.

EU Pharmaceutical Legislation governs the authorization, safety, quality, availability, and environmental assessment of medicinal products across the European Union. Its chemical and sustainability relevance is increasing through stronger environmental risk assessment, antimicrobial resistance measures, medicine residues in water and new links to wastewater micropollutant rules. The framework affects pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketing authorisation holders, API suppliers, contract manufacturers, healthcare systems, wastewater operators and medicine supply chains.

Alsym Energy’s sustainability policy is centred on developing non-lithium, non-flammable battery systems for stationary energy storage. The company positions its sodium-ion and lithium-free battery technologies as alternatives to conventional lithium-ion systems where safety, cost, supply chain risk and deployment constraints limit renewable energy storage. Its sustainability relevance is strongest in grid storage, mining electrification, industrial power systems, distributed energy, microgrids and locations where lithium-ion fire risk or cooling requirements create operational barriers.

Nyobolt’s sustainability policy is centred on ultra-fast charging battery technology, long battery life and high-power applications where electrification can reduce fossil fuel use. The company’s strongest sustainability relevance is in heavy-duty vehicles, mining, robotics, mobility and industrial systems where faster charging, high endurance and reduced replacement rates can improve productivity while lowering diesel consumption and associated emissions.

QuantumScape’s sustainability policy is centred on solid-state lithium-metal battery technology for electric vehicles and other advanced energy storage applications. The company links sustainability to improved EV performance, faster charging, longer range, safety, battery lifetime, manufacturing scale-up, workplace safety and environmental impact management. Its policy relevance is strongest where solid-state batteries can accelerate EV adoption and reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.

The United Kingdom’s Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) requires companies that manufacture or import more than 10 tonnes of plastic packaging annually to pay a levy on materials containing less than 30% recycled content. Introduced in April 2022, the measure encourages the use of recycled plastics and supports the UK’s shift toward a circular economy. Administered by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the tax aims to reduce dependence on virgin plastic and create financial incentives for sustainable packaging design.

France’s National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) defines the country’s long-term roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It establishes five-year carbon budgets, sector-specific emissions targets, and policy frameworks guiding all levels of government, industry, and society toward a low-carbon economy. First adopted in 2015 and updated in 2020, the SNBC integrates climate objectives into planning, investment, and energy policies, ensuring consistency with France’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. It is legally binding for public authorities and forms the backbone of national climate governance.