Global Regulatory News and Updates

Welcome to Carver's regulatory updates podcast for the week of April 05, 2026.

Starting with China, Premier Li Qiang signed the State Council order announcing the revised National Agricultural Census Regulations on March 30, 2026. The update introduces principles of multi-party participation and expands census content to include rural industry, construction, and governance. New census methods such as remote sensing and big data are incorporated. The revisions strengthen data quality control and confidentiality obligations, while increasing penalties for data falsification.

In the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority, or FCA, has launched a compensation scheme for millions of car finance customers. The scheme covers loans from April 6, 2007, to November 1, 2024, with tightened eligibility criteria, increased average payouts, and a minimum compensatory interest rate. Firms must implement the scheme within specified timelines. Lenders are required to notify complainants within three months after the implementation period about compensation eligibility and amounts. Additionally, lenders must contact non-complainants likely owed money within six months post-implementation.

Turning to Germany, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut authorized Bavarian Nordic to place French-labelled Vimkunya Chikungunya vaccine packs on the German market from April 2 to April 8, 2026. This authorization falls under specific sections of the Medicinal Products Act. The French-labelled vaccine packaging includes a German package leaflet taped to the packaging. Users are instructed to follow the package leaflet for vaccine use.

In Italy, a new interpello procedure has been activated for appointing managerial roles in the Office of the Drug Information System. This follows an unsuccessful prior procedure and aligns with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan digital data interoperability mission. Candidates must demonstrate professional skills, prior results, organizational competencies, and relevant managerial experience. Experience in communication and stakeholder relations is valued. Applications must include a detailed curriculum vitae, a professional experience report, performance self-certification, and declarations on incompatibility and inconferibility.

Also in Italy, the weighted average BOT yield for March 2026 and the average gross yield of taxable public securities for February 2026 have been published. These reference rates are essential for determining interest rates applicable to concessional credit operations to be stipulated in April 2026. Financial institutions must use these published reference rates when setting concessional credit interest rates for the month.

In the European Union, the European Central Bank has streamlined its supervision of banks' internal models. The ECB is shifting from ex ante to ex post assessment for material model changes, allowing banks to implement changes shortly after submitting their application. This is subject to confirmation by internal control functions and safeguards, including a regulatory capital floor. The European Banking Authority revised materiality criteria reduce the number of changes requiring prior approval. Banks must submit a complete application package for material model changes, and internal control functions must confirm compliance and readiness to implement changes.

Moving to the United States, specifically Alaska, several updates have been issued. The fuel price increased, resulting in a fuel surcharge increase per kilowatt-hour, affecting the total electricity rate. The updated total rate before the Power Cost Equalization applies to all customers starting with the April 2026 billing period. Additionally, Alaska Power Company reported multiple service interruptions caused by weather-related line faults affecting 271 customers. The company provided detailed outage reports including location, time, duration, cause, and number of customers affected, along with contact information for follow-up by the regulatory commission. Furthermore, the fuel report form used by Power Cost Equalization utilities was updated, effective March 31, 2026. All PCE utilities must use the updated form to ensure accurate and standardized fuel usage reporting. Lastly, updated avoided cost projections for energy and capacity have been released, covering the current year and the next five years. These projections include planned capacity additions, retirements, and firm power purchases by the Homer Electric Association. Utilities must compile and maintain current purchase rates with Qualifying Facilities every two years and report plans for capacity changes over the next ten years.

That wraps up today's regulatory updates. Visit carveragents.ai for more information.