Global Scans · Standards · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Improving standards are likely to be driven more by business and technological improvement than governments in the future. The latter will be under severe pressure to cut bureaucracy, speed policy making and improve their nation's productivity performance.

• [New] In 2026, disclosure rules, PFAS liabilities, and insurance repricing are shifting from ESG considerations to earnings variables-forcing finance teams to rethink reserves, guidance, and risk controls. Buzzsprout
• [New] Moving forward, policies that promote data interoperability, consistency in reporting standards, and stronger alignment across Medicare and Medicaid systems will be most impactful. Healthcare IT Today | Fresh, Daily, Practical Healthcar
• [New] In 2026, performance-based standards and increased use of digital tools like AI-enabled mix optimization could speed up the uptake of low carbon concrete by prioritising strength, durability and performance instead of sticking to a rigid ingredient list. Climate Group
• [New] As for the ethics that confront brain-implanted or manipulating devices, China plans to strengthen informed-consent requirements, broaden ethics review beyond medicine, and move toward unified technical standards for clinical evaluation. TechCrunch
• [New] Over the next five years, industry insiders expect China's BCI regulations to align more closely with international standards, with a particular focus on regulatory approval and data sovereignty. TechCrunch
• [New] Social commerce revenue is projected to hit $6.2 trillion by 2030, growing at 32% annually between 2023 and 2030, reflecting the rapid expansion of social media retail and its increasing role in consumer behaviour. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Although allocation methods, credit rules, and sectoral coverage differ across jurisdictions, major systems are refining design features while moving toward 2030 targets. ASUENE | The enterprise climate cloud platform | Carbon
• [New] In recent months, WhatsApp has significantly tightened its risk control parameters, deploying advanced AI models to detect non-human behaviour patterns. MEXC
• [New] Commercial AI services are enabling even unsophisticated threat actors to conduct cyberattacks at scale - a trend Amazon Threat Intelligence has been tracking closely. Amazon Web Services
• [New] The work at CAISI on agentic AI standards is expected to be critical as the Trump administration and Congress weigh a broader approach to AI regulations. Federal News Network
• [New] Importance for marketers: Fragmented national regulation across Europe could complicate compliance, content moderation, data use, and campaign targeting, increasing operational risk and forcing brands to adapt quickly to shifting digital governance rules. MarketingProfs
• [New] Global harmonization of standards and incentives will be crucial, as many projects are being developed with an eye toward export into Europe. TOPSOE
• [New] A simplification and competitiveness agenda could accelerate efforts toward stronger supervisory convergence under the SSM, further harmonization of prudential rules, reduction of national gold-plating, and clearer cross-border mobility of capital and liquidity within banking groups. SEC Newgate EU
• [New] High-quality, standards-aligned solutions will firstly improve user experiences domestically and then, by being ready-made for international adoption, help boost digital inclusion globally. ITU
• [New] Mexico's 2026 cybersecurity framework establishes comprehensive standards that address evolving digital threats while supporting innovation. Beaumont Capital Markets
• [New] The FCA will finalise new disclosure rules for consumer composite investments, replacing the EU PRIIPs and UCITS regimes. Clifford Chance
• [New] 2026 will see the implementation of significant changes to the rules on Insurance-based investment products. Clifford Chance
• [New] DeepSeek prefers to own the hardware so that it can conduct hardware-specific optimizations, while Tencent is eager to keep up with advanced model capabilities and will leverage access to Blackwells at AI data centers such as the one operated by Datasection in Japan. American Affairs Journal
• [New] New global tax rules in an UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation are being negotiated until 2027. Greenpeace International
• [New] The British Standards Institution recently published PAS 2060 for digital product authentication, further institutionalizing advanced packaging norms. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Consumer Exposure to Contaminants in Food: FDA will conduct the next Food Safety and Nutrition Survey and continue studying exposure to certain heavy metals and per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances. www.hoganlovells.com

Last updated: 26 February 2026