Written by Hannah Wendland From Lexology Pro on Jan 20, 2026
Tougher ESG scrutiny, expanding financial crime regimes, and escalating cyber risk are among the issues dominating regulators’ agendas in 2026.
Lexology PRO unpacks the top issues facing in-house teams this year, offering insights on the road ahead and how companies can prepare.
AI regulation moves from principles to penalties
AI regulation is moving from principle to practice as binding laws take effect, and enforcement accelerates worldwide. With major regimes – including the EU AI Act – triggering new obligations in 2026, informal governance is no longer sufficient. Regulators are demanding formal risk management, greater transparency, and stronger protection against AI-driven harm. We examine the AI priorities organisations must address as compliance expectations harden. Read our analysis here: Artificial intelligence: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
Inside the widening AML net and the rising cost of getting it wrong
Global regulators are sharpening their focus on financial crime as AML oversight widens to capture new sectors, AI-enabled fraud accelerates, and corporate criminal liability regimes gain momentum. Following a wave of record-breaking fines in 2025 and intensified scrutiny of high‑risk industries such as crypto, fintech, and payment processors, businesses face a more assertive and coordinated compliance landscape. We examine the key financial crime trends shaping 2026 and what companies should be tackling now. Find out more here: Financial crime: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
Regulators sharpen focus on privacy and cyber risk
AI-driven innovation and regulatory change reshaped the data protection and cybersecurity landscape in 2025. The pace shows no sign of slowing as regulators zero in on AI providers, children’s online privacy, and evolving cyber threats. With new AI, data protection, and cyber reporting regimes taking effect in 2026, organisations must navigate new obligations amid sharper enforcement. Check out Lexology PRO’s analysis here: Data protection and cybersecurity: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
ESG: growing scrutiny of greenhushing, data‑centre emissions and modern‑slavery exposure
The EU’s push to simplify ESG regulation is reshaping compliance expectations. Meanwhile, scrutiny is intensifying around data centres, green claims, and supply chain due diligence. Amid regulatory delays and scaled-back obligations, uncertainty remains as regulators, investors, and campaigners sharpen their focus on environmental impact, greenwashing, and modern slavery risks. Find out more here: ESG: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
New pressures reshaping the APAC corporate landscape
Regulatory change across APAC is accelerating, as governments push ahead with new AI, cybersecurity, and employment regimes amid ongoing geopolitical pressures. But with AI adoption lagging, worker protections expanding, and expectations of GCs rising well beyond legal advice, in-house teams face a complex balancing act in 2026. We explore the key APAC developments shaping business priorities in the year ahead. Find out more here: APAC: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
Shifting workplace obligations across AI and workers’ rights
From AI in hiring and performance management decisions to tougher expectations around mental health and workplace conduct, 2026 brings a more demanding compliance environment for employers. Legislative overhauls and diverging regional approaches mean in-house teams must balance innovation with compliance. We break down the employment law developments that will most affect global workforces in the year ahead: Employment law: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
From digital harms to toxic chemicals: product liability expands
With tougher rules on product safety, deceptive claims, PFAS chemicals and food labelling taking effect in 2026, businesses face growing litigation, enforcement and reputational risk across the product life cycle. Lexology PRO unpacks the key product regulation priorities companies need to address this year to stay ahead: Product regulation: top priorities for in-house teams in 2026
Lexology PRO examined enforcement trends and data across 10 key regulatory areas in 2025 – including data protection, anti-corruption and gambling – to identify the top risks facing businesses. Check it out here.
More top picks from Lexology PRO:
- US financial crime enforcement in 2026: predictions for in-house teams
- Navigating Africa’s 2026 compliance shift: key regulations businesses must watch
- The UK Employment Rights Act is finally here: key takeaways for employers in 2026
- Top five cybersecurity priorities for 2026: how to stay ahead of emerging threats
- Hiring remote workers in 2026? Here are three risks to watch
Follow Lexology PRO’s coverage of the evolving regulatory landscape by reading our forward-looking analysis.
