Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ElektroG is Germany’s national transposition of the EU WEEE Directive. It requires manufacturers to register electronic products, finance take-back systems, meet recycling targets, and ensure proper treatment of e-waste. This article explains obligations and enforcement.

The Canada Shipping Act is central to marine environmental protection and climate-related regulation of shipping. It creates binding obligations that affect emissions, spill risk, and environmental compliance across maritime supply chains.