On September 30, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed three laws that will regulate the use of AI in the employment context, starting in the new year. Below, we briefly summarize these developments, which we discuss in greater detail in our
Global Policy Watch
Key Public Policy Developments Around the World
Global Policy Watch, published by Covington & Burling LLP, focuses on international regulatory and policy developments affecting global business and legal environments. The blog covers topics such as data privacy and consumer protection laws, pharmaceutical and biotechnology regulations, digital marketplace liability, and EU policy initiatives on critical raw materials. It addresses legal implications of emerging technologies, cross-border compliance challenges, and evolving standards in advertising and intellectual property. The content is aimed at helping clients understand and navigate complex intersections of law and policy worldwide, with particular attention to regulatory changes in the EU, US, and other key jurisdictions.
Latest from Global Policy Watch
Key Takeaways for Private Sector Entities from the FBI’s New Cyber Strategy
On September 9, 2026, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) announced the publication of the FBI Cyber Strategy (the “Strategy”). The Strategy, which “provides a roadmap for defending the American people and the nation’s critical infrastructure in cyberspace,” is…
Germany Reviews a New Pharma “Location Clause” (Standortklausel) for Pricing & Reimbursement Incentives – Improvement or Worsening for the Pharmaceutical Industry?
Hot off the press, yesterday evening, 29 September 2026, the German Government’s expert committee presented the eagerly awaited proposal for a new “location clause” (Standortklausel) to incentivize pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing in Germany. Under this proposal, pharmaceutical companies can apply…
EU Commission launches consultation on new legislative instrument for trade diversification
On 29 September, the European Commission launched a call for feedback on its plans for new trade tools that would strengthen the EU’s trade diversification and economic resilience. The initiative is intended to address situations where a high level of…
Overview of EU and UK Regulatory Developments relating to Autonomous Vehicles
Driverless and autonomous vehicles (“AVs”) are moving from test tracks and pilot schemes to commercial deployment around the world. In the U.S. and China, robotaxi fleets and autonomous trucking services are proliferating. Similar developments are happening in the EU and…
President von der Leyen’s 2026 State of the Union Address – Decoding the Competition and Foreign Investment Implications
On September 16, 2026, European Commission President von der Leyen opened her annual State of the Union address with the warning that “[a] fight for industrial capacities is shaping global competition”. Her speech indicated how the European Commission intends to…
Rare House Contempt Resolutions Signal Heightened Risks for Private Parties
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives adopted resolutions holding two witnesses in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with subpoenas issued by the House Committee on Ethics in connection with the Committee’s investigation of alleged congressional ethics violations…
Recent Developments in UK and European Space Policy and Industrial Strategy
Across three days this month, there were two major events providing meaningful insight into how the European—and potentially the global—space industry is likely to develop in the coming years. On 8 September 2026, the UK Government published its new Space…
President Trump Signs Legislation Authorizing Russia-Related Tariffs and Additional Sanctions
On September 18, President Trump signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (the “Graham Act” or the “Act”), which passed both the House and Senate with substantial bipartisan majorities. The law is named…
California Enacts Several Minors’ Privacy and Safety Laws
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping set of laws related to minors’ privacy and safety, including new laws that restrict covered platforms from providing certain features to users under 16, impose a duty of care on social media…