
Publication
ESG and internal investigations: New compliance challenges
As ESG concerns have come to the forefront in different jurisdictions, the scope of these inquiries is expanding in kind.
United States | Publication | April 2021
In response to President Biden's January 21, 2021 executive order on protecting worker health and safety, federal OSHA has launched a program focusing its enforcement efforts on companies that put the largest number of workers at serious risk of contracting COVID. In particular, the program prioritizes employers that retaliate against workers for complaints about unsafe conditions, or for exercising other rights protected by federal law.
Going forward, OSHA site inspections are expected to enhance the agency's previous COVID enforcement efforts, and will include follow-up evaluations of certain worksites inspected in 2020. The program's strategy is intended to ensure that abatement efforts have cured previously identified problems, and includes monitoring the effectiveness of OSHA's enforcement and guidance efforts. The program will remain in effect for up to one year, although OSHA has flexibility to amend or cancel the program as the pandemic subsides.
Federally-approved state OSHA plans have adopted varying requirements to protect workers from COVID, and many of them have implemented enforcement programs similar to the federal enforcement program. While it is not required, federal OSHA is strongly encouraging the state programs to adopt its National Emphasis Program for COVID.
Publication
As ESG concerns have come to the forefront in different jurisdictions, the scope of these inquiries is expanding in kind.
Publication
In compliance with the constitutional reforms published in the Federal Official Gazette, new secondary legislation regulating the energy sector, specifically in terms of power and hydrocarbons, was published on March 18, 2025.
Publication
On February 1, US President Donald Trump signed three executive orders which impose tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico based on declared national emergencies associated with purported illegal immigration and fentanyl imports from each country.
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