Stage 1

Understanding and Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

In Stage 1, “Understanding and Navigating the Regulatory Landscape,” health care suppliers embark on understanding and navigating the complex regulatory landscape governing environmental sustainability.

This stage equips supply chain organizations with the necessary knowledge and insights to comply with existing regulations while preparing for upcoming changes in environmental policies. Additionally, this stage highlights the importance of assessing the applicability of environmental justice laws and regulations. By comprehending the regulatory landscape, companies can lay a solid foundation for their sustainability efforts and develop strategies aligned with federal laws and regulations, as well as state-specific and country-specific requirements.

Actions

Identify federal laws and requirements to comply with.

  1. Understand key laws and regulations, such as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing requirements, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates, European Union (EU) directives, and relevant regulations from other countries (for multinational organizations), and more
  2. Get ahead of potential requirements through proactive/voluntary efforts

Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act Brings New Opportunities for Health Care’s Climate Action

SEC Fact Sheet – The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures

Climate Change Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation

Identify existing state laws and compliance prerequisites, actively compile a checklist of state-specific agencies for consultation.

  1. For multinational companies, identify country-specific laws and compliance prerequisites
  2. Assess the applicability of environmental justice laws and regulations
  3. Get ahead of potential requirements though proactive/voluntary efforts

SEC Fact Sheet – The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures

Climate Change Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

Identify and engage beneficial voluntary standard-setting organizations.

E.g., those with guidance on metrics, transparency, goal setting, etc.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets and Market-based Policies

The 4 A’s of Climate Leadership

ASTM Sustainability Standards

Potential Challenges

Complexity of Regulations

Navigating the intricate web of environmental regulations and policies can be challenging, especially when regulations vary across regions and evolve over time.

Climate Change Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation

Compliance Costs

Implementing necessary changes to comply with regulations may require upfront investments in technology, processes, and training, posing financial challenges.

Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act Brings New Opportunities for Health Care’s Climate Action

Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation

Limited Internal Expertise

Organizations may lack in-house expertise and resources to fully comprehend and interpret complex regulations and their implications.

SEC Fact Sheet – The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures

Climate Change Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

Changing Regulatory Landscape

Constantly evolving regulatory requirements can make it difficult for organizations to keep pace and adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly.

SEC Fact Sheet – The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures

Climate Change Regulatory Actions and Initiatives

Stakeholder Alignment

Balancing diverse stakeholder expectations and ensuring alignment between internal practices and regulatory obligations can present challenges.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets and Market-based Policies

The 4 A’s of Climate Leadership

ASTM Sustainability Standards

Highlighted Stage 1 Resources