Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] Connecticut enacted S.B. 5, an omnibus AI law that would require large frontier model developers to establish employee reporting procedures for certain public health or safety risks and create employee reporting protections for all frontier model developers. Global Policy Watch
• [New] 2026 will bring a major push for crypto reform, tokenized securities regulation, and additional crypto product approvals in the U.S. X
• [New] The SEC's shift toward formal rulemaking could reduce legal risks for exchanges, custodians, and token issuers. / USA CryptoRank
• [New] The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is gearing up for a massive regulatory overhaul in July 2026 with the release of its highly anticipated Regulation Crypto agenda. Investing News Network (INN)
• [New] Washington's Organics Management Laws set an ambitious target: reduce organic materials going to landfill by 75% or more by 2030 through food waste prevention, rescue, and recycling. WORC
• [New] As environmental regulations tighten globally, firms are increasingly exploring biodegradable foil alternatives and sustainable manufacturing practices, which could redefine the value chain dynamics in the coming years. Verified Market Reports
• [New] A US federal trade court has declined to immediately block seafood imports from New Zealand in a case centered on protections for the critically endangered Maui dolphin and the threatened Hector's dolphin, while allowing the underlying legal challenge to move forward. SeafoodNews
• [New] The regulation, expected as a legislative proposal in Q4 2026, would extend the EU's biotech framework beyond health biotechnology to cover industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing. vegconomist - the vegan business magazine
• [New] Fastest-Growing Region: Asia Pacific is poised to record the highest CAGR between 2026 and 2033, driven by booming e-commerce, rapid urbanization, expansion of modern retail, and government-led sustainability regulations reshaping packaging material choices. Persistence Market Research
• [New] China domestic law applies alongside treaty analysis: PE risk in China must be assessed against both the applicable tax treaty and China's domestic CIT rules on what constitutes an institution or place of business. China Briefing News
• [New] Multinational groups with multiple China entities should plan centrally: Groups managing several China legal entities through a shared financial or tax function should track the pilot timeline and evaluate any system upgrade needs as a single coordinated exercise, rather than entity by entity. China Briefing News
• [New] Governments in countries like Chile and Mexico have implemented strict labeling laws and sugar taxes, further educating consumers about the risks of processed foods and encouraging the adoption of healthier alternatives. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Dozens from Israel's political and military elite, including two former prime ministers and former heads of all its security services, have threatened legal action against their government over support for Jewish terrorism in the West Bank. The Guardian
• [New] High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children's hands and will be banned from sale to under-16s in England from April 2027 under new laws designed to improve health outcomes in young people. The Guardian
• [New] After the US supreme court ruled against many of Trump's tariffs imposed under a different law, Brazil will become the first country targeted under the new strategy, which relies on Section 301 of US trade law, a provision authorising investigations into alleged unfair trade practices. The Guardian
• [New] The lawsuit against 3M, DuPont de Nemours, The Chemours Company and Corteva and other manufacturers is the latest legal action over PFAS, which have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers and developmental delays in children. Insurance Journal
• [New] Major growth drivers will be driven by global decarbonization goals, stringent emission regulations imposed by IMO targets, among others, growing adoption of green hydrogen, and investments in renewable energy-based ammonia production. Spherical Insights
• [New] The Federal Government will not admit it's got anything to do with the threat of more Trump tariffs, but it is strengthening modern slavery laws to crack down on supply chains from around the world. PS News
• [New] Australia already has clear modern slavery laws, but alarm was raised recently when US President Donald Trump listed it among a dozen nations that could attract a 12.5% tariff for not doing enough to crack down on forced labour. PS News
• [New] The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently confirmed that it would establish a mandatory due diligence regime in the UK for forest-risk commodities, a policy parallel to the EUDR (the EU Deforestation Regulation). Emperor
• [New] Observers are closely monitoring Japan's legislative developments, as the introduction of new anti-espionage laws could impact Russia's intelligence operations. Crypto Briefing
• [New] The Japanese government, recognizing the growing threat, has initiated measures to strengthen its counterintelligence capabilities, including the formation of a National Intelligence Council and the drafting of new anti-espionage legislation. Crypto Briefing

Last updated: 21 July 2026