Policies & Regulations
Bringing together the latest updates and in-depth analysis of relevant policies and regulations in China and worldwide.
China商务部关于拓展绿色贸易的实施意见
实施意见作为绿色贸易领域首个专项政策文件，充分体现了创新引领的鲜明特点。同时，坚持问题导向，精准聚焦我国绿色贸易发展存在的薄弱环节，比如企业绿色低碳发展能力存在短板、物流环节降碳潜力有待挖掘、支撑保障体系不够完备等问题，制定了针对性举措。
EUEstablishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The CBAM , is a trade policy tool introduced by the EU to address climate change. It currently covers six sectors: cement, aluminum, fertilizers, iron and steel, chemicals (hydrogen), and electricity. Whether an exported product falls under CBAM must be determined based on the CN code list issued by the EU. The European Commission has proposed expanding CBAM to include downstream products, with plans to add 180 carbon-intensive steel and aluminum-related goods, including machinery and parts, automotive components, household appliances, electrical equipment, and metal products. The expansion is expected to be formally implemented on January 1, 2028.
EURegulation (EU) 2023/1542 on Batteries and Waste Batteries
On 28 July 2023, the European Union Commission issued the Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on Batteries and Waste Batteries, which came into force on 17 August 2023. (EU) 2023/1542 aims to: strengthen the operation of the European Union internal market (including products, processes, used batteries and recycling), promote a circular economy, and reduce the environmental and social impact of all stages of the battery life cycle.
China中华人民共和国生态环境法典
2026年3月13日，新华社受权发布《中华人民共和国生态环境法典》，这是我国第二部以“法典”命名的法律。《生态环境法典》对绿色低碳发展、应对气候变化、碳达峰碳中和等方面作出原则性、引领性规定，完善生态环境领域法律责任制度。
EUEcodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation(2024）
The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) is a core product policy driving the green transition, aimed at improving the environmental performance of products across their entire lifecycle through ecodesign requirements, and making sustainable products the market standard.
InternationalThe Paris Agreement
A legal foundation for international carbon market cooperation has been established. It allows countries to transfer Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) through bilateral agreements and establishes a new UN carbon credit mechanism, providing a multilateral framework for global carbon pricing and cross-border carbon trading.
OtherThe Basic Policy for the Realization of GX（Japan）
The GX Basic Policy builds a trade-oriented carbon constraint framework around green transformation: First, it advances carbon pricing mechanisms (carbon tax and ETS) while exploring a carbon border adjustment, gradually embedding carbon costs into product prices. Second, it strengthens carbon footprint of product (CFP) accounting and disclosure, promoting alignment of carbon data with international rules to enhance export compliance. Third, it leverages Scope 3 as a key entry point to drive supply chain decarbonization, transmitting low-carbon requirements to overseas suppliers. Fourth, it reduces the embedded carbon of products through green industrial investment and energy structure optimization, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of low-carbon products. Overall, Japan is building green trade constraints progressively—grounded in domestic transformation and extended through supply chains and regulatory spillovers.
