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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the increasing integration of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) into free trade agreements (FTAs). It analyzes the growth, types, and potential benefits of these references, while highlighting critical challenges regarding enforcement, terminology, and the risk of creating trade barriers for small-scale producers.

This position paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for comprehensive, binding EU legislation to reduce microplastic pollution. It emphasizes upstream prevention, the reduction of virgin plastic production, and sector-specific mandatory measures over voluntary agreements to protect human health and the environment.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.