Vietnam Releases Proposed Amendments to Technical Regulations to Limit Noise and Vibration
On August 15, 2022, the Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the General Department of Environment released drafts of the National Technical Regulations(QCVN) for Noise, Vibration, and Sedimentation and …
Malaysia passes amendments to the Environmental Quality Bill in the House of Representatives
Increasing fines by up to 100 times
The House of Representatives of Malaysia passed amendments to the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2022 on October 5, 2022. It is scheduled to be discussed in the Senate in the …
India postpones implementation date of Quality Control Order for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear
To enter into force on 10 May 2023
On November 1, 2022, the Ministry of Heavy Industries of India promulgated an order to postpone the effective date of the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order 2020, which defines the …
China’s Hebei province revises regulations on solid waste management
Hazardous waste will be regulated more tightly
On Sept. 28, 2022, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Hebei province, China, published revised “Hebei Regulations on the Control of Solid Waste Environmental Pollution,” which will come …
China issues revised list of standards used to specify couplers subject to China Compulsory Certification
On Oct. 9, 2022, China’s Certification and Accreditation Administration issued a revised list of standards used to specify couplers for household and similar uses (e.g., connectors and plugs that connect …
China will ban the use of non-degradable plastic packaging at postal service outlets from 2025
On October 14, 2022, the State Post Bureau of China held the regular press conference of the fourth quarter of 2022. At the press conference, the implement progresses of “9917” …
Thailand, Carbon Tax
Economic instruments (EI) can be considered as one of the most effective environmental policies since they provide incentives for actions without removing individual freedom of choice. From a policy viewpoint, …
Improving China’s Pollutant Discharge Permit System: New Policy Movements
The Pollutant Discharge Permit System is how the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in China monitors and enforces legal restrictions on polluting entities and polluting behaviors.While it boasts a major …
India to make electric vehicle testing mandatory from 2023
On November 02, 2022, Ministry of Heavy Industries of India issued a notice making testing of electric vehicles mandatory for enhanced human safety with effect from April 01, 2023. The …
Indonesia releases draft MEPS regulations for six types of home appliances
On October 3, 2022, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia notified WTO/TBT of six draft decrees of the minister on the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for …
China revises national standard for water metering devices
On July 11, 2022, the State Administration for Market Regulation released the national standard “General rules for equipping and managing the water metering devices in water-use organizations” (GB/T 24789-2022). This …
India publishes New E-Waste Management Rules with expanded target products
Including higher targets for recycling and trading of EPR certificates
On November 2, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India published the “E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.” These Rules replace the current E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and …
Introduction of 10 cases of violation of VOC fugitive emissions in Jiangsu Province, China
Unused waste gas treatment facilities, performing work that generates VOCs in open workplaces, etc.
On September 22, 2022, the Ecological Environmental Department of Jiangsu Province of China announced 10 cases of violation of VOC emission rules. Fugitive emissions are the irregular discharge of air …
Shenzhen, China, promulgated the “Sponge City Construction Management Regulations”
On July 25, 2022, the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, China, promulgated the “Shenzhen Sponge City Construction Management Regulations.” The regulations came into effect on September 1, 2022. A sponge city …
Malaysia Amends Regulations Concerning Sewerage Charges
In Malaysia, the Water Services Industry (Sewerage Services Charges) Regulations 2022 were promulgated on September 20, 2022. These regulations specify the charges for sewerage for each sector. The regulations shall …
Vietnam issues circular to amend implementation regulations for Law on Chemicals
On Oct. 27, 2022, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a circular (Circular No. 17/2022/TT-BCT) to amend Articles 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of Circular No. …
Jiangsu Province, China announces Carbon Peaking Implementation Plan
Indicates specific measures for industry and transportation
On October 2, 2022, the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, China announced the “Jiangsu Province Carbon Peaking Implementation Plan.” The plan presents targets such as achieving a total capacity of more …
Beijing, China, announces Carbon Peaking Implementation Plan
Aims to raise renewable energy consumption to around 25% by 2030
On October 13, 2022, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, China announced the “Beijing Carbon Peaking Implementation Plan.” The plan proposes targets such as achieving a share of renewable energy …
Korea announces hazardous and dangerous properties and measures for 62 new chemical substances
On September 30, 2022, the Ministry of Employment and Labor of South Korea issued public notice (Ministry of Employment and Labor Public Notice No. 2022-404) in accordance with Article 108 …
Korea to regulate industrial chemicals including PFOA and other substances under Rotterdam Convention
Added to Annex III of the Convention
Taiwan raises the MEPS for fluorescent lamps by revising the relevant regulations
On September 26, 2022, the Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic affairs of Taiwan officially announced the revised regulations of the MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) for various fluorescent lamp …
Indonesia Announces Presidential Decree to Promote Renewable Energy
Also Mentions the Abolition of Thermal Power Plants
In Indonesia, the Presidential Decree No. 112 of 2022 on the Acceleration of Renewable Energy Development for Electricity Generation was promulgated on September 13, 2022 and came into effect immediately. …
Vietnam revises detailed regulations for Law on Chemicals
On Oct. 18, 2022, Vietnam’s government issued a governmental decree (Decree No. 82/2022/ND-CP) that revises Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP specifying and providing guidelines for implementation of certain articles of the Law …
Singapore promulgates and enforces three laws on GHG regulation
On September 30, 2022, Singapore promulgated three laws on GHG regulation, all of which came into effect on October 1, 2022.
Korea announces Regulatory Innovation Measures for Environment
On August 26, 2022, the Ministry of Environment of South Korea announced that it had reported four major policy proposals for future environmental regulations to President Yoon at the first …
China releases report on notable cases of illegalities regarding new chemicals
A Tianjin-based manufacturer received a fine of $2,810 for failing to register new chemicals
On Sept. 27, 2022, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a report on cases where some companies were punished for violating the Measures on the Environmental Management and Registration …
Taiwan to impose stricter regulations on organotin compounds
On Oct. 4, 2022, the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan announced that it would revise Taiwan’s toxic substance regulations called the Toxic Chemical Substances Listed for Control and Relevant Operations …
India postpones enforcement date of QCOs for ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and maleic anhydride, etc.
On October 3, 2022, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers of India published orders to postpone the date of enforcement of 12 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for chemicals such as …
China’s Zhejiang province publishes revised regulations on solid waste management
The revision will come into effect Jan. 1, 2023
On Sept. 29, 2022, China’s Zhejiang province published revised regulations on solid waste environmental pollution control, which will come into effect Jan. 1, 2023. The revised regulations set out the …
China’s Shandong province publishes regulations on solid waste management
The new regulations will come into effect Jan. 1, 2023
On Sept. 21, 2022, China’s Shandong province published provincial regulations on solid waste environmental pollution control that are based on a national law called the Solid Waste Environmental Pollution Control …
Vietnam releases draft revision of Law on Chemicals, plans to enact it in 2025
On Oct. 12, 2022, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade released a draft revision of the Law on Chemicals (06/2007/QH12). The revision was proposed as the Law on Chemicals, which …
China revises regulations on railway transportation of dangerous goods
The revised regulations include a clear definition of dangerous goods and aim to manage the whole process of transportation effectively
On Sept. 26, 2022, China’s Ministry of Transport issued revised regulations on safety in the railway transportation of dangerous goods, which will come into effect Dec. 1, 2022. Under the …
Korea implements Waste Disposal Site Information Transmission System and Medical Waste Generator Certification System
The Ministry of Environment of South Korea implemented Waste Disposal Site Information Transmission System and enhanced Medical Waste Generator Certification System on October 1, 2022, to eliminate blind spots in …
Korea eases burden on operators under evaluation of environmental management levels at business establishments system
On October 7, 2022, the Ministry of Environment of South Korea partially amended and enforced the Notification on the Evaluation Methods of Environmental Management Levels at Business Establishments. The main …
Certain types of UV disinfection equipment to be regulated by Taiwan RoHS
On Sept. 21, 2022, Taiwan’s Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs released draft regulations on mandatory inspection for certain types of UV disinfection electrical equipment. Comments …
India applies new energy standards to refrigerators from 2023
On September 27, 2022, the Ministry of Power of India issued a notification amending energy conservation standards for direct cooled and frost-free household and similar refrigerating appliances.
Bangladesh publishes guidelines on management and recycling system for WEEE
On July 7, 2022, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) published guidelines on the management and recycling system for waste electrical and electronic equipment. A draft of these guidelines was …
India amends Rules on registration and responsibilities of vehicle scrapping facilities
On September 16, 2022, the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) published and enforced the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Amendment Rules, 2022, which …
UN Secretary-General communicates amendment of Annex A (mercury-added products) to Minamata Convention
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting in his capacity as depositary, issued a notification dated September 28, 2022 announcing that the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties …
POPs Convention Review Committee 18th meeting recommends adding Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 to Annex A
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (“POPs Convention” or “the Convention”) published, in a press release dated October 6, 2022, the results of the 18th meeting of the Persistent …
Thailand strengthens BOD-COD online monitoring of industrial effluent
Thailand Department of Industrial Works (DIW), Ministry of Industry published “Notification of the Department of Industrial Works prescribing the Criteria for the Approval of a Factory with a Wastewater Treatment …
Thailand drafts industrial standard for mercury-added product
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) opened a draft industrial standard for “ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT THAT MAY CONTAIN HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES –PART X RESTRICTION OF THE USE OF MERCURY” for public …
China issues “opinions” on advancing reform of regulatory systems for EEE
Lithium-ion batteries will be added to the mandatory certification scheme
On Sept. 23, 2022, China’s State Council issued “opinions” on advancing the reform of regulatory systems for electrical and electronic equipment. The opinions set out measures such as adding lithium-ion …
Taiwan launches online system to request inclusion of new chemicals in existing chemical inventory
On Sept. 19, 2022, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration announced that it would launch an online system to request the inclusion of new chemicals in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances …
Indonesia establishes MEPS and energy saving labelling regulation for LED lighting
On July 5, 2022, the Decision of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 135 of 2022 concerning Minimum Energy Performance Standard and Energy Saving Label for LED Lighting …
Vietnam Announces Prime Minister’s Decision on Roadmap for Reducing GHG Emissions in Transport
On July 22, 2022, the Vietnamese government promulgated Prime Ministerial Decision 876/QD-TTg approving a plan of action to shift to clean energy and reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions in …
China’s Zhejiang province releases draft plan for new pollutant control
On Sept. 30, 2022, The Department of Ecology and Environment of Zhejiang province, China, released a draft plan for new pollutant control to seek public comments, which will be accepted …
Vietnam amends list of controlled narcotic and precursor substances
In Vietnam, on August 25, 2022, “Governmental Decree 57/2022/ND-CP stipulating the list of narcotic and precursor substances”, was promulgated and came into force simultaneously. In the past, the list of …
Singapore Solicits Public Comments on Deposit System for Beverage Containers
On September 20, 2022, the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) announced details of its beverage container deposit system, which has been under consideration since 2020, and launched a public consultation. …
China revises policies on national standards under Law on Standardization
The revision will take effect March 1, 2023
On Sept. 9, 2022, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation published revised Measures on National Standards, which will come into effect March, 1, 2023. The measures are subordinate legislation of …
Taiwan to tighten regulations on packaging used in e-commerce
Minimum content of recycled materials will be mandatory
On Sept. 29, 2022, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration released draft regulations on packaging used in online shopping to seek public comments, which are accepted for 60 days after the draft’s …
Philippines Publishes New Version of Draft Chemical Control Order for Vinyl Chloride
In the Philippines, in September, 2022, a new version of the draft of the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Vinyl Chloride (hereinafter referred to as the Draft) was published. The …
China’s Shanghai to promote hydrogen energy industry, fuel cell vehicles
On Aug. 26, 2022, the Shanghai Municipal Development & Reform Commission, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization and other eight departments of the government of Shanghai, China, announced a …
Vietnam held seminar on policies and technical regulations on offshore wind development
On July 23, 2022, the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) Fund, held a seminar on offshore wind …
Malaysia fully revised guidelines for control of cosmetic products
On July 18, 2022, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) of Malaysia promulgated the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia — Second Edition (hereinafter “Guidelines”). The Guidelines will …
India extends deadline for implementing new EV battery standards, testing norms
India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended implementation deadline for mandatory standards and testing norms for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The mandatory EV battery standards and testing norms …
China to support environmental protection of Yellow River basin with state funds
On Aug. 24, 2022, China’s Ministry of Finance announced a program to financially support the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin with state funds. The program …
Taiwan adds automatic shut-off faucets as products subject to Water Efficiency Labeling
On September 13, 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan released a notice of the amendment to the “Products such as water-using equipment, sanitary equipment or other equipment subject …
Phillipines, Chemical Control Orders
Republic Act No. 6969, An Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for other Purposes or known as the “Toxic …
China’s Tianjin announces program for carbon peaking
China’s Tianjin announces program for carbon peaking
On Sept. 14, 2022, the government of Tianjin, China, announced a program for carbon peaking. This program is developed by Tianjin city based on the central government’s “Opinions on Achieving …
Philippines Publishes Draft Chemical Control Order for Benzene
In the Philippines, on September 22, 2022, a draft of the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Benzene (hereinafter referred to as the Draft) was published, and comments were solicited. The …
Taiwan releases the drafts of guidelines related to the registration of chemical substances
In September 2022, the Environmental Protection and Administration Executive Yuan of Taiwan released the draft of “Guideline for new and existing chemical substances phase 1 registration” and the draft of …
Korea excludes heating fuels and non-isolated intermediates from point pollutant source surveys
Regulations on Emissions Survey and Calculation Factors of Chemical Substances is revised
On September 13, 2022, South Korea Ministry of Environment announced the revised version of the Regulations on Emissions Survey and Calculation Factors of Chemical Substances (Ministry of Environment Notification No.2022-172). …
Thailand opens draft PRTR regulation for public consultation
On September 13th, 2022, Thailand Ministry of Industry opened the latest draft “Notification of Ministry of Industry: Reporting of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) B.E. 25XX” for pubic consultation. …
Taiwan announces revised inspection regulation for digital video cameras and digital cameras
To strengthen the inspection by revising inspection methods
On September 6, 2022, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), M.O.E.A of Taiwan officially announced the revised inspection regulation for digital video cameras and digital cameras. Under the …
Vietnam releases second draft of technical standard on POPs content in products
On Sept. 15, 2022, Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment published the second Draft National Technical Regulation on Thresholds for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Articles, Products, Commodities and …
China Announces Q&A on National Carbon Emissions Trading Market
In August 2022, the China Environment Publishing Group released its Q&A on the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market. The five-chapter document, which was reviewed and approved by the Department of …
China’s Tianjin releases draft measures setting limits on pollutant discharge
Emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and other important pollutants would be regulated
On Sept. 14, 2022, the government of Tianjin, China, released draft measures setting limits on pollutant discharge by private companies and public entities. Comments on the draft will be accepted …
Taiwan to expand the RoHS application scope to add adapters and plugs
On September 13, 2022, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), M.O.E.A of Taiwan announced the amendment of the “Inspection regulations for power distribution equipment subject to inspection”, and …
China to implement stricter regulations on excessive packaging of goods
Manufacturers are required to employ simple packaging designs and use less packaging for their products
On Sept. 1, 2022, the General Office of China’s State Council announced a series of measures to restrict excessive packaging of goods. The measures include targets for 2025 as well …
Taiwan to designate 15 substances as Concerned Chemical Substances
On September 8, 2022, the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan of Taiwan announced to add 15 chemical substances into “Concerned Chemical Substances” list. Substances announced as “Concerned Chemical Substances” are …
Korea coordinates ease of recycling grading and EPR system for adjusting contributions
On September 4, 2022, South Korea Ministry of Environment announced the full operation of the EPR system in cooperation with the ease of recycling grading system. Under the EPR system, …
Singapore to simplify product registration under GHG regulations and discontinue Climate-Friendly Label
On September 1, 2022, the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore announced that it would introduce an exemption from mandatory product registration and a grace period for non-compliant goods in …
Korea adopts early scrapping support to diesel vehicles with class 4 emissions from 2023
Enforcement Rules of the Clean Air Conservation Act is revised
South Korea Ministry of Environment published on August 17, 2022, a revised Enforcement Rules of the Clean Air Conservation Act (Ministry of Environment Decree No. 999), which includes the expansion …
China’s Sichuan province releases draft plan for controlling new pollutants
On Aug. 17, 2022, the Department of Ecology and Environment of Sichuan province, China, published on its website a Draft Plan for Controlling New Pollutants. The department accepted public comments …
Chinese national institute provides supplemental explanation about packaging recycling logo
On Aug. 25, 2022, the China National Export Commodities Packaging Research Institute released an article explaining China’s national standard called Packaging Recycling Marking (GB/T 18455-2022). Here are its most notable …
China announces program for ecological protection of Yellow River basin
Pollution outlet inspections and groundwater contamination control measures will be carried out
On Aug. 5, 2022, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other government departments announced a Program for Ecological Protection of the Yellow River Basin. The program focuses on outstanding …
Indonesia amends regulated substances for cosmetic ingredients
Adding provision on nanomaterials
On July 27, 2022, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) of Indonesia promulgated BPOM Regulation No.17 of 2022 amending part of BPOM Regulation No.23 of 2019 on Technical Requirements …
China’s Jiangsu province issues local standard for environmental management by manufacturers
On Sept. 6, 2022, the Market Regulatory Administration of Jiangsu Province, China, issued a local standard called the Guidelines for Whole-process Environmental Management of Industrial Enterprises (DB/T 4342-2022), which will …
China Releases Draft List of Key Controlling New Pollutants
Control measures are proposed for 14 types of pollutants, including PFOA and dechlorane plus
On Sept. 27, 2022, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment released a draft 2022 List of Key Controlling New Pollutants to seek public comments, which will be accepted through Oct. …
Korea considers improving GHG emissions trading system to promote carbon neutrality
On August 16, 2022, the Ministry of Environment of South Korea held the first meeting of the Council for Advanced Emissions Trading System (hereinafter referred to as the “Council”) to …
Taiwan releases quality standard for water purifiers
Standard values for a total of 24 metals and volatile organic compounds are specified
On September 8, 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan released the “Technical specifications for testing the quality of drinking water generated from water purifiers”. And the standard came …
623 consumer chemical products in Korea violate safety & labeling standards under K-BPR
On August 11, 2022, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment announced that during the period from January to June 2022, it had uncovered 623 products that violated safety and labeling standards …
Malaysia Announces Guide to Installing and Operating EV Charging Systems
In July 2022, the Malaysian Energy Commission released its Guide on Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (EVCS). This Guide is designed to improve the safety of EVCSs, which will expand with …
China releases industrial standard for service life of tableware disinfection cabinets
On Sept. 5, 2022, the China Household Electrical Appliances Association released a standard called “Safe service life for household electrical appliances Part 8:Tableware disinfection cabinet” (association standard T/CHEAA 0011.8-2022), which …
Macao announces import ban on disposable plastic cutlery
To protect the environment and reduce the use of plastic, on August 31, 2022, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government of China announced an amendment to the Article 5 (1) …
Thailand requires GHG emission reporting to oil & gas concessionaire
Thailand Department of Mineral Fuels, Ministry of Energy published “Notification of the Department of Mineral Fuels regarding Criteria on Reporting and Calculation Methods of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Petroleum …
India allows import of PET flakes on a conditional basis
Shift from a ban to a conditional permit
On September 14, 2022, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India published Notification No.32/2015-2020, which permits PET flakes to be imported subject to approval from the Directorate General of …
Malaysia releases draft guidelines for noise reduction in workplace
In Malaysia, a call for comments on the Guidelines on Occupational Noise Control 202X (hereinafter “the proposed guideline”) was announced on August 15, 2022. The proposed guideline is a supplemental …
Thailand announces effluent standard for leather tannery
Marine Department, Ministry of Transport, Thailand announced “Notification of the Marine Department No.153/B.E. 2565 (2022) Prescribing Standard for Controlling wastewater from Industrial Factories, Industrial Estates, and Industrial Zones with Engagement …
Thailand updates mandatory standard for synthetic dyestuffs
Ministry of Industry published “Ministerial Regulation regarding designation of Synthetic Dyestuffs as industrial products which shall conform to industrial standard” in the Royal Gazette on 19 August 2022. Although there …
China reveals violation cases of illegally falsified EIA reports
On Aug. 6, 2022, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published an article on three cases of environmental impact assessment (EIA) report falsification, which took place in Jiangsu, Sichuan and …
Vietnam held a seminar to raise awareness of domestic regulations on POPs
On July 28, 2022, the Vietnam Environment Administration, in collaboration with the General Administration of Customs, held a seminar to provide guidance about the regulations on the import, manufacture, and …
China extends purchase tax exemption policy for new-energy vehicles to promote their sale
On Aug. 18, 2022, at an Executive Meeting presided by Premier Li Keqiang, China’s State Council approved several policies that encourage the purchase of high-value goods, including new-energy vehicles among …
Brunei notifies WTO/TBT of legislation designating air conditioners as products subject to energy labeling
On August 23, 2022, the Ministry of Energy of Brunei notified the WTO/TBT of the orders and regulations implementing the Energy Efficiency (Standards and Labelling) Order 2021. The above order …
