ESG/Social Responsibility


SEC office

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SEC enforcement priorities under Trump: Fewer disclosures, less ESG-focused, more crypto

2024-11-25T18:30:00+00:00By

Change is likely coming to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement priorities with the pending handover of the White House to Republican President-elect Donald Trump. Adjust your compliance priorities accordingly.

Deforestation

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EU Deforestation Directive delayed, experts advise compliance managers to not rest on laurels

2024-11-14T15:50:00+00:00By

If your business uses leather, rubber, wood, beef, palm oil, soy, or paper, then you may need to comply with the EU Deforestation Directive, a new rule intended to ensure that no goods traded in the EU contribute to global deforestation.

SEC office

News Brief

SEC orders Invesco to pay $17.5M over misleading investors about ESG assets

2024-11-11T15:42:00+00:00By

Invesco Advisors agreed to pay $17.5 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission to settle allegations that the company misled investors about the extent of its assets that included environmental, social, and governance factors.

aaron mind graphic

Survey

Annual survey: Help us get ‘Inside the Mind of the CCO’

2024-11-11T03:51:00+00:00By

Compliance Week’s sixth annual “Inside the Mind” survey seeks to discover what makes CCOs and other risk and compliance practitioners tick. Take 10 minutes to share your experiences and be part of our special report.

AdobeStock_559774955

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EU businesses will soon have to report on supply chains and sustainability. Not all are ready

2024-10-25T15:38:00+01:00By

Supply chains are about to become the next big thing in sustainability compliance. However, many organizations still lack the data and assurance capabilities to track sustainability and human rights activities across their extended supply chains – which is required by the EU’s CS3D. Many others that fall out of scope ...

ESG

News Brief

WisdomTree pays $4M SEC fine for including fossil fuel, tobacco securities in ESG funds

2024-10-22T16:08:00+01:00By

Fund management company WisdomTree will pay $4 million to settle allegations by the Securities and Exchange Commission that it improperly invested in fossil fuel and tobacco companies in environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds despite promising to avoid them.

europemagnified

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What’s your risk appetite? EU firms grapple with ‘ridiculously complex’ ESG reporting rules

2024-10-14T18:26:00+01:00By

Discussions on the increasingly complex ESG rules in the EU were the crux of some conversations at Compliance Week Europe, a two-day conference in Amsterdam Oct. 15-16. The event brought together Compliance Week and its sister organization, the International Compliance Association, and more than 200 GRC professionals across industries.

AI_White_House_Web

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AI and government: How Trump or Harris presidency will differ on policy, regulation

2024-09-25T13:21:00+01:00By

AI may be one of the hottest things in the business world but former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris haven’t devoted much time to discussing the technology. Still, each candidate has offered a few clues as to how they would govern over this next wave of innovation.

bible_investing_web

News Brief

‘Biblically responsible’ investment adviser ordered to pay $300K over misleading investors

2024-09-20T15:38:00+01:00By

A “biblically responsible” investment adviser agreed to pay $300,000 and hire an independent compliance consultant to settle charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it misled investors, along with other compliance failures.

Budweiser Budvar_web

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Budweiser Budvar registration failures show ESG impacts of U.K. noncompliance

2024-09-16T18:14:00+01:00By

Most businesses think more about their products than what they come wrapped in, but a recent U.K. penalty against Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar indicates packaging is an increasingly important element in sustainability regulations.

Greenwashing

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FCA delays compliance date for certain parts of ESG rule package

2024-09-10T19:11:00+01:00By

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority is pushing back the date for some firms to comply with its naming and marketing rule amid struggles to prepare for it, the FCA said Monday.

columnist_Sherr

Opinion

Ian Sherr joins Compliance Week as its new editor-in-chief

2024-09-03T13:47:00+01:00By

New Compliance Week Editor-In-Chief Ian Sherr shares his thoughts on where compliance is headed as businesses meet the realities of not just following the rules, but staying ahead of the pace of regulatory change at a global scale. 

Ampadu_web

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Q&A: APCC chair on culture challenges facing financial services firms

2024-08-21T15:29:00+01:00By

Julie Ampadu, chair of the U.K.’s Association of Professional Compliance Consultants, spoke to Compliance Week about why culture is the biggest issue facing financial services firms.

ESGReporting

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All hands on deck needed to get ESG disclosures right, report finds

2024-08-19T13:29:00+01:00By

Multiple emerging environmental, social, and governance and disclosure standards pose legal and operational risks to many companies, but also opportunities to improve reporting and get ahead of requirements, a new report found.

marathon_oil_web

News Brief

Marathon Oil inks $242M settlement with DOJ, EPA over N. Dakota air pollution

2024-07-12T19:17:00+01:00By

Marathon Oil Company agreed to pay $241.5 million and bring the company into compliance with federal emissions rules in the vicinity of North Dakota’s Fort Berthold Indian Reservation after years of violations, the Department of Justice said.

AdobeStock_228118718

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New U.K. codes strive to restore falling trust, integrity

2024-07-09T19:08:00+01:00By

Codes of ethics and conduct are becoming ubiquitous, yet instilling high standards of corporate integrity still seems an elusive goal. Why is corporate culture such a challenge?

Dominic_Buckwell_web1

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Q&A: Seaco general counsel, compliance head on environmental regulations

2024-07-03T18:17:00+01:00By

Dominic Buckwell, general counsel and compliance head at global marine container leasing company Seaco, discussed key themes including anti-money laundering, sanctions, and why the industry needs common environmental reporting standards.

Supreme Court

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SCOTUS overturns Chevron doctrine, putting thousands of regulations in limbo

2024-06-28T19:55:00+01:00By

The Supreme Court of the United States overturned a long-held precedent in which courts deferred to federal agencies in interpreting complex or ambiguous regulations–a decision that could make thousands of federal regulations more vulnerable to legal challenges.

WIC_2

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Women in Compliance highlights: Mentorship driving DEI; fostering board buy-in

2024-06-27T13:39:00+01:00By

Keeping track of regulations and understanding how they affect your business can be a hot mess without proper organization and collaboration, experts said at Compliance Week’s Women in Compliance Summit, held June 3-4, in Atlanta.

ESG

News Brief

EU agencies examine efforts to identify and monitor examples of greenwashing

2024-06-06T17:00:00+01:00By

The European Securities and Markets Authority, European Banking Authority, and European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority issued reports on greenwashing in the financial sector, describing how they plan to call out examples of false or misleading sustainability claims.

GHG emissions

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Treasury, other agencies issue voluntary carbon market principles

2024-05-28T19:20:00+01:00By

The Treasury Department and other U.S. agencies announced a coordinated federal policy concerning carbon credits and other voluntary incentives to encourage businesses and agriculture to cut their carbon footprints.

ESG money

News Brief

ESMA guidelines tackle greenwashing via fund names

2024-05-17T17:27:00+01:00By

The European Securities and Markets Authority published its final report containing guidance for the use of environmental, social, and governance- and sustainability-related terminology in fund names.

Federal Reserve

News Brief

Fed-led climate scenario analysis highlights data gaps, insurance costs

2024-05-10T19:20:00+01:00By

The Federal Reserve Board and six large American banks released the results of a pilot climate scenario analysis that explored how resilient the banks’ business models were to climate-related financial risks.

Lululemon

News Brief

Lululemon facing probe in Canada over greenwashing complaints

2024-05-09T20:36:00+01:00By

Athletic apparel company Lululemon is under investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau regarding whether it made misleading claims about environmental aspects of its business.

GreenLaw

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EU charts green path forward with ECT withdrawal, new regs

2024-05-03T13:34:00+01:00By

The impending decision by the European Parliament to withdraw from the international Energy Charter Treaty and adopt further climate rules sets a clear direction for green regulations in the region.

ESG concept

News Brief

FCA publishes guidance on anti-greenwashing rule

2024-04-23T19:29:00+01:00By

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority issued new guidance on how to comply with its upcoming anti-greenwashing rule, which is set to take effect May 31.

ESG vector

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Report: Poor awareness of supply chain disclosure regs leaving firms exposed

2024-04-23T15:44:00+01:00By

Compliance failures in the supply chain are hampering organizations’ efforts to implement environmental, social, and governance initiatives and meet disclosure requirements, according to a new report by U.K. law firm Burges Salmon.

Temu_Web

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U.S. senator calls for Temu ban over forced labor, privacy concerns

2024-04-17T16:32:00+01:00By

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is calling on the Biden administration to investigate and ban Chinese e-commerce company Temu over forced labor and data privacy violation concerns.

European Court of Human Rights

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ECHR ruling opens door to climate change litigation on basis of human rights

2024-04-15T13:47:00+01:00By

By holding the Swiss government accountable for failing to do more to limit climate change, a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights might have significant implications for legislators and organizations in other countries across the European Union.

ESG

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Experts: ESG gone mainstream, but new regs still create headaches

2024-04-09T18:24:00+01:00By

Environmental, social, and governance goals have gained acceptance from senior leadership because of upward pressure from employees, investors, and customers, according to compliance leaders speaking at Compliance Week’s 2024 National Conference.

CW2024 Compliance Value

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Data, consumer support key to conveying value of compliance

2024-04-09T11:39:00+01:00By

Presenting data to the board and providing examples of positive consumer response to ethical decision-making help compliance departments demonstrate value beyond keeping an organization in line with rules and regulations, experts discussed at Compliance Week’s 2024 National Conference.

Volkswagen

News Brief

SEC concludes VW emissions case with $48.8M judgment

2024-04-08T17:05:00+01:00By

Volkswagen Group of America Finance was ordered to pay $48.75 million as part of a final judgment obtained by the Securities and Exchange Commission to resolve historical violations related to the automaker’s emissions scandal.

CW2024 leadership panel

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CW2024 leadership panel on navigating scrutiny, prep for more change

2024-04-08T12:34:00+01:00By

The global political landscape should be high on the risk radar of compliance officers in 2024, according to compliance leaders speaking at Compliance Week’s 2024 National Conference, along with increased regulatory scrutiny toward forced labor, ESG, and M&A.

SEC

News Brief

Legal pushback prompts SEC to stay climate-related disclosure rule

2024-04-05T16:40:00+01:00By

The Securities and Exchange Commission delayed implementation of its climate-related disclosure rule until the courts can rule on appeals filed in response to the controversial policy.

China flags

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CBP stats show persistent problem areas under UFLPA

2024-04-01T13:33:00+01:00By and

It’s been nearly two years since the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act took effect, and as enforcement statistics and recent reports demonstrate, many businesses are still not adequately vetting their supply chains.

London Financial District

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U.K. sets recommendations to address misogyny in finance

2024-03-28T13:59:00+00:00By

Sexism, sexual assault, and bullying are rife at financial services organizations, according to a recent report by the U.K. Treasury Committee. “The government and financial regulators have important roles to play in driving change,” the committee said.

Energy efficiency

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EU regs for energy-efficient buildings raise questions for commercial property

2024-03-26T14:00:00+00:00By

Organizations with property in the European Union should be asking more questions about their sustainability and emissions in light of revised plans to decarbonize buildings across the region.

ESGReporting

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Experts: Legal noise around SEC climate disclosure rule no excuse for standing still

2024-03-20T16:03:00+00:00By

Legal experts are advising their public company clients to move forward with plans to comply with the SEC’s climate-related disclosure rule, despite lawsuits and other challenges being brought against the controversial policy in the aftermath of its approval.

Sustainability metrics

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EU due diligence directive back on track, despite concession concerns

2024-03-18T14:57:00+00:00By

The future of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive was thrown into doubt when the European Council failed to endorse proposals. The directive is back on track after being agreed upon, albeit in weaker form.

Supply chain

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Policy changes underscore need for enhanced child labor due diligence

2024-03-18T13:20:00+00:00By and

Rooting out potential child or forced labor violations in your company’s supply chain can have benefits beyond protecting reputation and being ethically sound. The process can also help your firm comply with pending child labor laws in other jurisdictions.

ABN AMRO

News Brief

Departing ABN AMRO risk chief says climate, cyber among priorities

2024-03-15T19:27:00+00:00By

Tanja Cuppen, chief risk officer of ABN AMRO, shared her view on the Dutch bank’s biggest risk focus areas and the accomplishments of her tenure a month ahead of her planned departure.

Climate change ideas

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Study: Climate transition impact reporting still lacking

2024-03-14T14:15:00+00:00By

Large polluters are failing to account for climate change impact and adaptation, but policymakers need to harmonize disclosure requirements to drive coherent action.

Business collaboration

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Want to be an ethical supply chain influencer? It’s all about the ‘collab’

2024-03-13T12:10:00+00:00By Gwendolyn Hassan, CW guest columnist

Supply chain and ethics and compliance professionals could take a page out of the social media influencer playbook and look to collaborate with suppliers more to create their own win-win scenarios.

Department of Labor

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DOL seeking more authority in crackdown on child labor violations

2024-03-12T16:56:00+00:00By

The Department of Labor has stepped up its enforcement of child labor law amid a concerning rise in child labor exploitation, yet the agency acknowledges its resources are not great enough to be a significant deterrent for such misconduct.

Child labor

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Child labor violations are on the rise in U.S. Are they in your supply chain?

2024-03-11T16:31:00+00:00By

The compliance community has not been spending time addressing a problem mistakenly thought to be a rarity: The proliferation of child labor violations occurring in the United States.

European Commission

News Brief

EU to ban sale of products made with forced labor

2024-03-08T15:20:00+00:00By

The European Union announced an agreement to ban products made with forced labor, a decision that will oblige organizations to track and declare more information about their supply chains for goods entering EU markets.

SEC

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Concessions can’t save ‘cursed’ SEC climate disclosure rule from scrutiny

2024-03-07T00:02:00+00:00By

The Securities and Exchange Commission finally approved its ground-breaking climate-related disclosure rule, nearly two years since it was originally proposed. Though the agency significantly watered down aspects of its proposal, the rule is already facing the prospect of legal challenge.

GHG emissions

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Experts: What to expect ahead of SEC climate-related disclosure rule vote

2024-03-05T22:06:00+00:00By

Nearly two years after it was first proposed, the Securities and Exchange Commission is finally poised to approve its climate-related disclosure rule—albeit a watered-down version, by all indications.

JBS

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NYAG lawsuit: JBS misleading public with sustainability claims

2024-02-29T20:54:00+00:00By

Two U.S. subsidiaries of Brazilian meat processing company JBS are the subject of a lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general accusing the businesses of using misleading statements and marketing regarding their environmental commitments.

Business ethics

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Best practices for determining need for a human rights policy

2024-02-29T13:21:00+00:00By

Does your business need a human rights policy? An increasing number of organizations believe they do, according to research firm Gartner.