Guest: Sean Daley of Sphera on shifts in EPA regulations; Creative ways to adapt to tariffs; Chinese robots are on the move

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Oct 3, 2025

Sean Daley, Director of Sustainability Consulting at Sphera, shares insights on the shifting landscape of EPA regulations and how companies must adapt. He discusses the impacts of new tariffs on US supply chains, revealing innovative strategies like 'B2B2C' to mitigate costs. Daley also explores the rapid growth of Chinese mobile robotics, highlighting how these firms are expanding globally amid economic pressures. Tune in for a deep dive into environmental reporting, trade adaptations, and the evolving robotics market.

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INSIGHT

Federal Data Void Raises Demand For Third-Party Emissions

Eliminating EPA's greenhouse gas reporting removes a central, comparable data source that investors and partners relied on.
Companies will face fragmented reporting and increased demand for high-quality third-party verification.

ADVICE

Keep Reporting And Use Verified Third-Party Data

Do continue measuring and reporting emissions even if the EPA program is eliminated to satisfy customers and investors.
Rely on validated third-party platforms and data providers to maintain transparency and comparability.

INSIGHT

Standards Are Coalescing Globally

Global reporting frameworks are converging, with ISSB and CDP gaining traction for consistency.
Alignment around a small set of standards will improve trust and comparability across regions.

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Our guest on this week's episode is Sean Daley, director of sustainability consulting at Sphera. Among the many changes happening in Washington is a reprioritizing of environmental issues. The Environmental Protection Agency is among many of the government agencies that has undergone dramatic policy changes. Our guest discusses those changes and how to prepare for shifting EPA regulations.

The world has been experiencing America’s new trade policies and the rollout of tariffs for nearly seven months now and we are starting to see their effect on imports, including some creative ways that some companies are adapting, including the use of "B2B2C" shipments.

Accelerated growth in China’s mobile robotics market over the past 10 years is giving way to globalization strategies as Chinese companies face growing economic pressures at home. Many of these Chinese mobile robotics companies are trying to expand their reach to customers in Europe and North America, in particular.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

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This podcast episode is sponsored by: Duravant Integrated Solutions

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