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] Medicines for weight management must meet rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness before they could be authorised for use in the UK. The Guardian
• [New] In a move toward greater transparency, starting in July, Joint Commission standards will be available online and searchable by the public. AHE
• [New] As of 2026, carbon regulations, energy prices, and certification rules will shape green steel. Steel Radar
• [New] Stronger inspection powers, including the new regulator able to conduct 'no notice' inspections will help prevent the kind of disruption that has affected communities across South East England in recent weeks. William Reed - Rethink Events
• [New] NEC plans to collaborate with telecommunication carriers to conduct performance evaluations and verification tests, aiming for a product launch in Japan in the first half of fiscal year 2026. IOT Insider
• [New] The Data Union Strategy will increase the availability of data for AI development, announce the simplification of EU data rules and strengthen the EU's global position on international data flows. Shaping Europe's digital future
• [New] The Digital Omnibus is part of the European Commission's deregulation agenda, which threatens key social and environmental standards in Europe. Corporate Europe Observatory
• [New] In 2026, ERP systems will move beyond bolt-on AI and begin embedding native AI features as standards like MCPs mature and stabilize. TechFinitive
• [New] The revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards are expected to be officially adopted in Q2 2026, pending final business lobbying. CSO Connect
• [New] Following the GENIUS Act, which brought new rules for stablecoins to the US in 2025, the CLARITY Act is now set to introduce further and, above all, clearer laws for dealing with cryptocurrencies in 2026 - and has therefore been eagerly anticipated by the crypto sector for some time. Trending Topics
• [New] Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple's industry-leading privacy standards. BBC News
• [New] The AI-driven applications will perform routine activities, including the creation of content, content optimization, audience segmentation, and user behaviour forecasts, in 2026. Elite Site Optimizer
• [New] The United States crypto industry entered what many are calling execution mode as legislative deadlines and new rules begin defining how digital assets will be regulated. Future
• [New] If the European Union and the US could agree on standards for data privacy and protection, they would take a giant step towards setting the global standard for digital trade. Wilson Center
• [New] MPA and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, will be upgrading the existing Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering to a Singapore Standard in Q2 2026, strengthening requirements for safe, transparent, and quality-assured LNG bunkering. MPA
• [New] Targeted reforms to the UK Money Laundering Regulations proposed by HM Treasury, expected to take effect in 2026, will impact the level of customer due diligence (CDD) firms need to conduct. Ashurst
• [New] The EU is developing cross-border AI tax standards for 2027 implementation. AI Goldrush
• [New] 2026 is the EU's digital set-up year: a time to simplify rules, set priorities, and brace for transatlantic spillovers as major legislative initiatives race toward 2027. Euronews
• [New] By H2 2026, firms are expected to have implemented new rules on operational-incident and outsourcing reporting, subject to final FCA and PRA timetables. Mondaq
• [New] The 2027 annual training requirement ensures ongoing professional development, positioning Oklahoma as a leader in medical marijuana workforce standards. American Healthy Alternatives
• [New] While SEC leadership has indicated that new, prescriptive AI disclosure rules are unnecessary, companies remain responsible under existing principles-based requirements to disclose material AI-related impacts and risks accurately. Debevoise
• [New] With new rules emerging across the world, sovereignty will become a priority for businesses sooner rather than later. Software Development Company - N-iX
• [New] Bank of America's new standards follow similar policies from Citigroup and Morgan Stanley, announced after engagement with Green Century, that strengthened financing standards for clients in forest-risk commodities. / USA Green Century

Last updated: 22 January 2026