Green Policies, Regulations & Standards

Greece’s Law 4662/2020 restructures the national civil protection system by establishing a crisis and risk management mechanism across prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. It binds public authorities and participating agencies to follow coordinated planning and operational procedures, with implementing rules supporting specific compliance processes (including certain fire protection administration). The framework remains active and central to Greece’s disaster-risk governance, with enforcement mainly arising through implementing measures and broader liability regimes.

The EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive limits the use of specific toxic materials in electrical and electronic equipment sold across the European Union. It applies to manufacturers, importers, and distributors, requiring them to comply with strict concentration limits for substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and certain phthalates. The Directive promotes safer product design, recyclability, and reduced environmental impact from e-waste. Regular updates ensure alignment with scientific progress, and all covered products must meet RoHS compliance to carry the CE marking before being placed on the EU market.

The Federal Plastics Registry (FPR) is a mandatory national reporting system established under subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). It requires producers, importers, and other entities that manufacture, import, or place specified plastic products and packaging on the Canadian market to report detailed annual data on plastics by type and quantity. Reporting helps create a national plastics inventory to support evidence-based policy and measures to reduce plastic waste and pollution. The Registry is phased in over multiple years, expanding product categories and data scope over time. Non-compliance with reporting obligations, or providing false or misleading information may lead to penalties under CEPA.

The GGPPA is Canada’s federal carbon pricing backbone. It remains legally in force, has been upheld by the Supreme Court, and continues to anchor industrial carbon pricing, even as the federal fuel charge was set to $0 starting April 1, 2025.

Italy’s Legislative Decree 192/2005 establishes the national framework for building energy performance. It sets minimum energy standards for new buildings and major renovations and requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for regulated transactions such as sales and rentals. Owners, landlords, and developers must ensure compliance, keep documentation, and follow HVAC efficiency and inspection rules where applicable. Non-compliance can lead to administrative fines and permitting or transaction-related consequences. The decree remains a cornerstone of Italy’s building decarbonisation pathway.

Norway’s Climate Change Act sets legally anchored climate targets and obliges the government to plan, report, and demonstrate progress toward a low-emission society. While it does not directly fine companies, it drives binding sector rules and strengthens scrutiny of national policy consistency with the 2030 and 2050 targets. The Act is a core governance tool that increases accountability, transparency, and the likelihood of tighter implementing measures if progress is insufficient.

Italy’s Legislative Decree 49/2014 defines the national Extended Producer Responsibility system for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Producers and importers must register with the national EEE register, join an EPR compliance scheme, report annual placed-on-market volumes and finance the full lifecycle management of end-of-life products. Retailers must offer free takeback systems. The decree ensures proper collection, treatment and recycling of WEEE, with strict requirements for labelling, traceability and authorised operators. Non-compliance can lead to substantial administrative or criminal penalties, making it a central regulatory obligation for electronics producers operating in Italy.

The Sustainable Jobs Act establishes a federal governance framework to support workers and communities during Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The Act requires the federal government to develop a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan, create a Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, and regularly report on progress. Its focus is on workforce development, skills training, labour market transitions, and regional economic resilience linked to climate and energy policies. While the Act does not impose direct obligations on private companies, it strongly influences labour policy, industrial strategy, and public funding decisions related to clean energy, net-zero industries, and climate transition planning.

The proposed Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR) aimed to cut chemical pesticide use and risk by 50 % by 2030 and make integrated pest management mandatory across the EU. The European Commission withdrew the proposal in February 2024 after political pushback, leaving existing rules in place and creating uncertainty over the EU’s pesticide-reduction pathway.

Denmark’s Climate Act legally anchors national climate ambition, requiring a 70 percent emissions reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. It establishes a structured governance cycle for planning, monitoring, and accountability, supported by independent oversight from the Climate Council. While the Act does not directly regulate individual companies, it drives downstream obligations through sector policies, taxation, and permitting. Compliance is enforced through institutional scrutiny rather than direct penalties.