United Kingdom: Environment

The United Kingdom government has extended UK REACH transitional registration deadlines to 2029-2031, providing companies additional time to comply with chemical manufacturing and import regulations. This extension allows the government to develop the Alternative Transitional Registration model aimed at reducing data and financial burdens on businesses while maintaining chemical safety standards.

Microplastic contamination from synthetic textiles poses a growing environmental threat, with fibres from man-made fabrics entering water systems through washing machine effluent. As countries like France mandate microplastic filters in washing machines and the EU implements new wastewater treatment rules, innovative companies are developing filtration technologies and novel removal methods to combat this pervasive pollution problem.

On 17 July 2026, the European Commission proposed a revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) (the Proposal) for Phases 5 and 6 of the EU ETS post-2030. The Proposal forms part of a broader package of measures under the EU Clean Industrial Deal aimed at strengthening the EU's competitiveness, and accelerating industrial decarbonisation, with further legislative proposals expected in the coming months.

The FCA has announced that the Upper Tribunal upheld its decision to ban two individuals from working in financial services. The Tribunal agreed that both acted dishonestly by providing a backdated appointed representative (AR) agreement to the FCA.

As data center expansion accelerates to meet AI demand, operators must address mounting environmental, human rights and community concerns with credible sustainability strategies that strengthen their social license to operate. Explore how sustainability performance is becoming a critical factor in project approvals, procurement, and financing, with operators expected to demonstrate alignment with host communities and governments while managing complex tensions between carbon intensity, water efficiency, la

For decades, discussions surrounding international trade barriers have centred primarily on tariffs. Import duties, customs procedures, and trade disputes have traditionally represented the most visible obstacles facing businesses operating between nations. However, as global trade enters a new phase, Italian exporters are now encountering a different set of challenges which often have a greater impact on competitiveness than tariffs themselves.

The ASA upheld the two complaints, one of which came from a chimney sweep, finding that the Council had failed to substantiate the direct causal link between the use of wood burners and open fires...

White Papers, consultations, reports, updates – all pointing towards increased accountability, along with guidance on the implementation of sanctions and their enforcement when environment...

On 20 January 2026, the UK Government published its White Paper, "A New Vision for Water", setting out a comprehensive package to transform the water sector in England.

On 17 July 2026, the European Commission proposed a revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) (the Proposal) for Phases 5 and 6 of the EU ETS post-2030. The Proposal forms part of a broader package of measures under the EU Clean Industrial Deal aimed at strengthening the EU's competitiveness, and accelerating industrial decarbonisation, with further legislative proposals expected in the coming months.

England is transitioning from a fragmented, largely paper-based waste records towards a centralised digital reporting system. The Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 20261 (Regulations)establish the statutory framework for this transition by introducing mandatory reporting requirements for operators of permitted waste facilities.

Defra has published all ten biodiversity gain statements and detailed guidance for NSIPs ahead of mandatory BNG on 2 November 2026. We examine what the new package means for developers with projects in the pipeline.