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.

• In an era of unprecedented global uncertainty, the United States and India have the opportunity to set a new standard for international cooperation - one that prioritizes stability, innovation, and shared prosperity over narrow, short-term interests. Times of Oman
• As the year progresses, institutions will need to adapt to the standards set by crypto, ensuring their infrastructure meets the demands of the digital space. investing.com
• The retail banking landscape in 2025 is poised to reflect a convergence of technology, consumer behaviour, regulatory shifts, and broader economic trends. FinExtra
• Space missions are subject to strict oversight from government authorities such as NASA and the FAA, which enforce rigorous safety standards to mitigate risks associated with space travel. Credence Research
• The UK government is gambling with its own climate targets on claims that the Drax power plant will create negative emissions because new rules could hand the carbon savings to the US. The Guardian
• The upcoming regulations are expected to address the ethical use of AI, cross-border data flows, and the potential risks of automated decision-making, ensuring that AI deployment in Mexico aligns with both national and international standards. International Trade Administration | Trade.gov
• Some progress was made not least that there now appears to be general agreement that any 'technical element' will be a global standard for GHG intensity of marine fuel for which compliance would be demonstrated over a calendar year. IBIA
• The Hong Kong government has announced a roadmap to implement International Financial Reporting Standards - Sustainability Disclosure Standards for publicly accountable entities by 2028. National Law Review
• The US National Institute of Standards and Technology officially unveiled the world's first three finalised post-quantum encryption standards, designed to protect key systems against future quantum computing attacks which could potentially break current encryption methods. Memia by Ben Reid
• With enhanced incentives and subsidies for car owners, governments worldwide are expected to implement stricter emission standards, incorporating EVs into their sustainable transportation strategies. Global Market Insights Inc.
• Platforms like TikTok and Twitch will dominate the conversation with younger audiences, while innovations like crypto payments and blockchain-backed transparency will establish new standards for trust and tech - forward play. CDC Gaming
• The fact that California ground squirrels are behaviorally flexible and can respond to changes in food availability might help them persist in environments rapidly changing due to the presence of humans. ScienceDaily
• Quality and compliance must be prioritized; implementing stringent standards and certifications will build trust and reassure international patients of India's commitment to excellence. IndraStra Global
• The fact that the United States, Japan and South Korea are heavily economically interdependent with China, and will need China to follow a rules-based order to solve global crises, suggests a coalition of like-minded countries is unnecessarily antagonistic to countries deemed as not so like-minded. East Asia Forum
• Technology offers transformative opportunities for enhancing the rule of law in Africa, but its implementation is fraught with challenges. The Elephant - African analysis, opinion and investigat
• Without sustained political will and robust enforcement mechanisms, the fight against corruption risks being superficial, further entrenching the challenges facing the rule of law in Africa. The Elephant - African analysis, opinion and investigat
• The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality expects to issue final direct potable reuse rules by the end of 2024 and begin accepting applications for permits in 2025. Water Education Foundation
• Artificial Intelligence 2026 The European Parliament has approved an AI Act to harmonise AI rules across the EU, which would cover AI systems used by employers in the EU. / UK Travers Smith LLP
• Lebanon is presented with an opportunity to reclaim its independence and focus on building a state governed by the rule of law. Nowlebanon
• New regulations related to data privacy, safety standards, or urban mobility could impose additional compliance costs or operational constraints on Uber's business. investing.com
• Today's organizations are adopting cloud and distributed architecture which will support digital innovation, technology advancements, cost optimization & meet enterprise global standards. FinExtra
• Che110689 will dominate industries like renewable energy and autonomous systems by 2030, setting new standards for innovation. Magazine Valley
• The EPC will remain an important tool for delivering the Warm Homes Plan, which aims to save families money and contribute to the UK meeting its climate targets, including by setting new PRS standards for homes by 2030. GOV.UK

Last updated: 02 January 2025