The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reopened its guidance portal on Wednesday. This online portal is a searchable database of EPA guidance documents, first created during President Donald Trump’s first term and shuttered under the Biden administration.
Regulatory Policy
Posted inFinancial Services
Regulatory overhaul: SEC’s “project crypto” sets path for U.S. crypto primacy
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins has launched “Project Crypto,” a major regulatory overhaul aimed at shifting the agency from enforcement to innovation. Atkins’ address outlined as many as nine Commission-wide initiatives to revamp the SEC’s rulebook for the digital finance era.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
Federal memo on college admissions transparency signals heightened scrutiny of DEI activity
A new memorandum from President Trump directs increased federal scrutiny of race- and sex-based admissions practices at colleges and universities, however, its implications extend beyond higher education.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
FinCEN delays anti-money laundering rules for realtors and investment advisors until 2028
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is delaying an upcoming requirement that investment advisors and realtors begin screening clients for money laundering and other illegal activity.
Posted inEthics & Culture
DOJ warns against using proxies for DEI in federally funded programs
The DOJ is warning that simply scrubbing DEI-related words from policy documents or training materials—and replacing them with thinly veiled proxies—will not protect federally funded organizations from legal scrutiny.
Posted inFinancial Services
U.K. proposes streamlining regime meant to hold fin serve executives to account
When growth slows, governments often cut rules to attract investment, as the U.K. has in its financial services sector, which contributes 8.8% of GDP, but easing the “compliance burden” raises concerns about oversight, governance, and prioritizing profits over safety.
Posted inEthics & Culture
Compliance teams urged to prepare as U.K. Employment Rights Bill nears passage
The U.K. Employment Rights Bill is expected to pass into law this year and will affect millions of workers. Compliance managers are advised to hone their understanding of HR and equality issues in preparation.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
EPA follows through on Trump threat and proposes killing air pollution rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has placed a decades-old rule that limits air pollution from cars and trucks on the chopping block, potentially endangering the Clean Air Act.
Posted inTechnology
Cadence Design Systems pleads guilty to unlawfully exporting chip design tools to China, will pay $140M
Chip design software and hardware maker Cadence Design Systems agreed to plead guilty to unlawfully exporting semiconductor design tools to a restricted Chinese military university, the Department of Justice said in a statement. The California firm will pay over $140 million in criminal and civil pines and forfeitures, marking the latest effort by U.S. officials to restrict the flow of chip designs.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
U.K. shake up of immigration rules for skilled worker visas should prompt compliance review
As of July 22, U.K. companies hiring foreign nationals on skilled worker visas face higher salary and qualification requirements. Over 100 jobs were also removed from the list of roles eligible for overseas recruitment. Compliance managers should ensure policies are updated to reflect the changes.