Regulations Listing: Corporate Citizenship

REGULATORY RADAR -The United Kingdom introduced a bill that would require companies to report on pay ratios, comparing CEO remuneration to the average pay of the wider company workforce, with an explanation of any changes to the ratio from year to year.

REGULATORY RADAR - On May 9, 2018, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera announced that he had issued a directive to prohibit the use of plastic bags in all stores. Chile is the first nation in the Americas to ban retail businesses from using plastic bags, an initiative aimed at protecting the country’s ecosystem.

REGULATORY RADAR - The United Kingdom announced a plan to eliminate single-use plastics by 2021, in an effort to reduce marine litter. Single-use plastic products will be banned and replaced with more environmentally sustainable materials.

REGULATORY RADAR - If the deal is approved by both EU ministers and members, energy efficiency will be prioritized across all energy planning, policy, and investment decisions.

REGULATORY RADAR - On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that government workers who choose not to join a union cannot be charged for the cost of collective bargaining. The ruling was passed by a 5-to-4 vote.

REGULATORY RADAR - On July 4, 2018, Hong Kong ruled to grant visas to spouses of gay expatriate workers living in the city. The ruling states that same-sex couples have the same rights to spousal visas as married heterosexual couples.

REGULATORY RADAR - India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved a set of net neutrality rules on July 11, 2018 that protects all Indian citizens’ right to have free and fair access to the internet.

REGULATORY RADAR - New Zealand recently became one of the first countries to adopt paid domestic violence leave.

REGULATORY RADAR - The Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that will establish a special panel of workers and employers to create industry standards for the estimated 33,000 domestic workers in the city.

REGULATORY RADAR - California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 100 this month, which will drive the state to 100 percent clean energy by 2045. SB100 will also speed up the state’s clean energy timeline by setting a new target of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030.

REGULATORY RADAR - President Trump issued an executive order that calls for the Department of Labor and Department of Treasury to look into raising the age when people must start making Required Minimum Distributions, and ways to make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans to employees.

REGULATORY RADAR - On August 31, 2018, the California Senate passed a bill 23-12 targeted at reducing the vehicle emissions of ride-hailing companies like Uber or Lyft. The legislation will now be sent to Governor Jerry Brown (D) who can either choose to sign or veto.