Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm with more than 2,700 lawyers in its offices located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The firm has internationally recognized practices in a wide spectrum of transactional, litigation, corporate and regulatory areas. Our success is grounded in our devotion to the collaborative process, which reaches across global offices and practices and draws upon our deep subject matter expertise, an abiding commitment to teamwork and a powerful tradition of creative lawyering.

New recommendations clarify compliance solutions for import requirements and propose a suspension of penalties for three years.

By Michael D. Green and James Bee

On 20 July 2026, the European Commission (Commission) adopted two recommendations on the EU Methane Regulation, intended to guide EU countries on (1) compliance solutions and (2) penalty regimes.

The recommendations

The consultation will shape practical guidance for companies navigating EU due diligence obligations.

By Michael D. Green, Betty M. Huber and James Bee

Key Points:

  • A new consultation will shape upcoming CSDDD guidelines, providing practical guidance as well as support for Member State authorities.
  • The consultation questionnaire covers a broad range of themes, from

The draft implementing regulation sets out detailed rules for converting third-country carbon prices into reductions in CBAM certificate obligations.

By Joshua Bledsoe, Jean-Philippe Brisson, Michael Dreibelis, Michael D. Green, Gauthier Martin, John-Patrick Sweny, and James Bee

Key Points:

  • The European Commission has opened a four-week consultation following the publication

The package of measures recognises the need to promote energy security and combat rising costs.

By Michael D. Green and James Bee

Key Points:

  • The Commission has outlined areas of ETS reform, including updated benchmarks for free allocations and a new €30 billion ETS Investment Booster.
  • A medium-term ETS review is expected by July 2026

EPA’s decision, paired with a newly unveiled research program from the Department of Health and Human Services, increases scrutiny on these emerging contaminants.

By Julia A. Hatcher, Tom Lee, Hunter J. Kendrick, and Casey Lynn Kirk

On April 2, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced the draft