Strategic Focus: Adapting Sustainability In The North American Market

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Executive Summary

North America’s sustainability regulatory landscape has become more fragmented and politically contested – but not less material. While the election of President Trump intensified uncertainty, states have continued leading on regulation, with rules in California already mandating disclosures from August 2026. Canada and Mexico offer a sharp contrast, with a stable yet cautious direction from Canada and a stronger push towards reporting requirements in Mexico. Meanwhile, product and packaging requirements, transparency in environmental and social claims, circularity and supply chains continue to emerge as pressing regulatory topics across the region. This report provides executives with an updated overview of the North American sustainability regulatory environment, alongside recommendations on the key trends to monitor in this space. 
Sustainability regulation is advancing unevenly, yet persistently, across North America
Canada, Mexico and the US are taking diverging routes on climate disclosures
Regulators are expanding sustainability into circularity, products and transparency
Firms should prepare for a more fragmented and faster-moving sustainability landscape
Figure 1. Current direction of travel of sustainability regulation in North America
Figure 2. Updated status of sustainability regulations in Canada 
Figure 3. Examples of relevant sustainability regulations in Mexico
Figure 4. Updated status of state-led sustainability disclosure regulations in the US
Figure 5. EPR legislative developments in North America, 2026
Figure 6. Active and in-progress EPR regulations in the US, May 2026

About the Authors

Catalina Fazio

Catalina Fazio

Analyst

Catalina is an Analyst at Verdantix, specializing in ESG and sustainability policy and regulation. Her research focuses on regulatory frameworks and complex disclosure require...

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Kim Knickle

Kim Knickle

Research Director

Kim Knickle is a Research Director at Verdantix, bringing more than two decades of analyst experience to the evolving world of sustainability. Her current research spans ESG a...

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