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] The European Commission expects to roll out regulations requiring minimum WUE performance standards for data center operators. AI Business Weekly
• [New] The European Commission expects to roll out regulations requiring data center operators to meet minimum WUE performance standards per Zylos AI's energy research. AI Business Weekly
• [New] The National Institute of Standards and Technology finalized its first post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024, and a recent executive order set a 2031 deadline for the federal government to defend against quantum attacks on classical cryptography. Galaxy
• [New] DEFA, which will come into effect in 2027, is expected to simplify how businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, scale across South-east Asia by creating common rules for digital trade, data flows, payments and online transactions. ST
• [New] NHTSA will fund a $5 million, three-year consortium to develop the first federal AV performance standards, alongside Part 555 process changes, updated developer guidance, and a pending Robomart petition. Self Drive News
• [New] The Bay Area Air District's new rules speed that transition by phasing out the sale of gas water heaters starting in 2027 (Rule 9-6) and gas furnaces starting in 2029 (Rule 9-4). SPUR
• [New] China's evolving automotive safety standards under GB 7258 revisions are expected to further strengthen demand for high-performance automotive DSP solutions through 2027, particularly in connected and semi-autonomous vehicle platforms. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Medical Counselling Committee will conduct counselling for the 15% All India Quota seats in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). The Times Of India
• [New] The European Commission opened infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to States including Ireland for failing to establish rules on penalties for breaches of Regulation 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation). Mondaq
• [New] While no final decision has been taken, discussions at the official level are underway on measures that could require connected devices to meet stricter security and certification standards before they can be sold in India. The Times Of India
• [New] Companies that proactively develop scalable, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes will gain competitive advantage and meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards globally. Verified Market Reports
• [New] The SEC disclosure rules for crypto have the potential to impact a broad range of investors, both institutional and retail. Bitcoin Foundation
• [New] Gartner's latest forecasts show participation rates climbing from current levels of 29% to an anticipated 80% by 2027 in organizations that conduct application security testing. Palo Alto Networks
• [New] China may support the UN, the SCO and other multilateral institutions, but its selective adherence to common rules risks turning its multilateralism into a vehicle to compete with US rather than constraining great-power rivalry. Merics
• [New] Integrating global interoperability standards allows trade partners to maintain technology choice while future-proofing the industry for new and disruptive technologies. U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• [New] The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled its regulatory agenda for 2026, outlining plans for new rules that could shape the future of cryptocurrency as well as public and private investments in the United States. The Crypto Times
• [New] SEC plans clearer crypto rules to support digital assets while continuing to protect investors and enforce securities laws. The Crypto Times
• [New] Electric-Driven (Oil-Free) is the fastest-growing category, registering a 4.4% CAGR from 2026 to 2035, as pharma, food, and energy end users increasingly specify oil-free electric platforms to meet air-purity and emissions standards. / Germany Next Move Strategy Consulting
• [New] The FDA plans to conduct further testing, including for additional contaminants; to continue to engage with manufacturers on measures to reduce the levels of contaminants to as low as possible; and to work to establish action levels for contaminants in infant formula. FDA
• [New] Without strong, legislated standards, we risk replicating the disastrous US pattern, where Big Tech corporations have carte blanche to drain energy and water, and build new, polluting gas and diesel-powered plants to fuel their operations. Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] The UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, due to be phased in by the Financial Conduct Authority from 2027, will fortify existing requirements for a range of public and private actors to identify and manage physical climate risks. GOV.UK
• [New] OpenAI and Anthropic have publicly supported Australia's proposed AI regulatory framework, arguing that clearer rules could encourage investment and provide greater certainty for developers. MarketingProfs

Last updated: 06 August 2026