Thailand
On 17 September 2026, Thailand’s Label Committee, responsible for implementing the Consumer Protection Act, published in the Government Gazette the “Notification of the Label Committee Re: Prescription of Categories of …
Philippines
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2026-28: Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Vinyl Chloride on June …
Vietnam
On October 6, 2025, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BCT regulating the traceability of products and goods under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. The regulations and requirements …
Australia
On September 21, 2026, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) opened a public consultation on a proposal to amend the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management …
China
On July 17, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released draft specifications for two Voluntary national standards concerning recycled materials in traction batteries for electric vehicles, opening …
Japan
On September 18, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) jointly published in the Official …
Indonesia
The Ministry of Trade of Indonesia issued the Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 23/2026 on the Amendment to Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 24/2025 on Import Policy and Regulation of …
China
On July 17, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released draft specifications for two voluntary national standards concerning recycled materials in EV batteries, opening them for public …
Singapore
On August 21, 2026, Singapore issued the Singapore Standard SS 530:2024+A1:2026, Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency Standard for Building Services and Equipment. This standard incorporates Amendment 1:2026 (A1:2026), which …
China
On August 21, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft revision of the mandatory national standard Limits of Harmful Substances in Adhesives for public comment. …
Indonesia
The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency of Indonesia (BPOM) issued and enforced the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency Decree No. 366/2026 on the List of Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Natural Medicines, …
South Korea
On August 25, 2026, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS), an agency operating under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), issued a preliminary administrative notice of …
China
On August 21, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft revision of the mandatory national standard Rules for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals – Part …
Japan
On September 11, 2026, the Government of Japan approved two Cabinet orders related to the Act Partially Amending the Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings (Act …
China
On August 21, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft revision of the mandatory national standard Rules for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals – Part …
Thailand’s Draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act
Thailand
Thailand generates 26.95 million tonnes of municipal waste annually. Over 100,000 tonnes of packaging reach the ocean each year. The Draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act published for public comment by …
New Zealand
On September 7, 2026, the New Zealand Government announced that it will introduce a new Rural Recycling Scheme for farm plastics starting March 1, 2027. Replacing current voluntary recycling efforts, …
Australia
On September 7, 2026, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released an exposure draft on introducing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for Heat Pump …
Philippines
The Philippine Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on August 20, 2026, that it had issued show-cause letters to 155 companies that may have failed to meet their plastic recovery obligations …
China
On July 30, 2026, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) officially published two recommended national standards under the series Guidelines for Safety Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Traction Batteries: Part 1: …
China
On June 30, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam issued the Circular No. 37/2026/TT-BCT on: Amendment 01:2026 QCVN 01:2017/BCT National technical regulation on the limits of formaldehyde …
China
On July 30, 2026, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) officially published the recommended national standard Technical Requirements for On-Board Energy Consumption Monitoring of Passenger Cars (GB/T 47983-2026). The standard …
Vietnam
On July 8, 2026, the Vietnamese Government issued the Decree No. 275/2026/ND-CP, which regulates administrative penalties for violations in the field of chemicals and industrial explosives. The Decree takes effect …
New Zealand
On September 7, 2026, New Zealand published the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2026. Under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act of 1998, this …
China
On September 2, 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the Announcement on the Ban on the Production of Multi-Split Air Conditioning (Heat Pump) Units Using Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) …
Vietnam
On June 3, 2026, the Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism issued the Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BVHTTDL on the lists of prohibited and hazardous chemicals in goods subject to information …
New Zealand
On September 7, 2026, New Zealand published the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Schedules 1AA and 2A) Order 2026. The order will come into effect on October 9, 2026. It …
Thailand
On 26 August 2026, Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW) under the Ministry of Industry requested the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and other relevant organizations to provide information on …
Vietnam
On June 29, 2026, the Hanoi City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 80/2026/QD-UBND, which sets out the criteria for eco-industrial zones and clusters in the city and outlines the roadmap, …
China
On August 21, 2026, the Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China published FAQs regarding new chemical substance registration on its official …
India
On August 27, 2026, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued a directive under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, requiring covered entities, producers, importers, brand owners, manufacturers, sellers, and …
Japan
On September 1, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW); Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Ministry of the Environment (MOE); and other relevant ministries jointly launched …
India
On July 17, 2026, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released two guidance documents under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, covering the full battery waste management process: the “Guidelines …
Laos
On 4 August 2026, Laos’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued the “Decision No. 2523/MOIC.DOIC on the List of Industrial Chemicals” under the Law on Chemical Management No. 7/2016, which …
Australia
On September 1, 2026, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) published the 2026 updated edition of the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines. These guidelines serve as a technical document referenced …
South Korea
On July 16, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued an advance administrative notice of a proposed partial amendment to the Public Notice on Waste Items …
China
On August 31, 2026, the Standardization Administration of China issued the voluntary national standard General Rules Evaluation of Easily Recyclable and Reusable Plastic Products Design (GB/T 48042-2026). The standard will …
Japan
On August 20, 2026, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency released the Environmental Label Fact‑Finding Report, which examines how businesses use environmental claims from the perspective of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums …
On-site Insights: Workshop on Auditing and Verifying Recycling Results under EPR Mechanism in Vietnam
Vietnam
On August 3, 2026, Pacific Environment held a specialized workshop to present a proposed study on establishing criteria for the capabilities, content, and verification methods of independent auditors regarding recycling …
On-site Insights: Pathways for Robust EPR System in Vietnam
Vietnam
On August 11, 2026, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) in Vietnam and the Vietnam Circular Economy Hub (CE Hub), organized a workshop …
South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued an advance legislative notice of proposed partial amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Clean Air Conservation …
South Korea
On August 10, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) published a preliminary administrative notice of a draft amendment to the Regulation on Standards for Product Packaging …
China
On August 1, 2026, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA) officially published two implementation rules for China Compulsory Certification (CCC): Implementation Rules for China …
*Taiwan
On August 11, 2026, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs published draft amendments to the Inspection Regulations for Stationary Lithium Energy Storage …
Japan
On July 31, 2026, Japan promulgated the Act Partially Amending the Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings (the amended Building Energy Efficiency Act). The amended Act …
South Korea
On July 29, 2026, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued an advance administrative notice of a proposed amendment to the Regulations on Stipulated Quantities of Hazardous Chemicals …
New Zealand
On August 21, 2026, New Zealand’s Minister of Transport announced that, following a review of the Clean Car Standard for imported new and used vehicles, the government would retain the …
South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued an advance administrative notice of a new draft amendment to the Notice on Waste Items Subject to Import Restrictions to …
Thailand
On 17 August 2026, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) under the Ministry of Industry opened a public consultation on the basic principles of a draft ministerial regulation that would require …
China
On August 4, 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the substances added to the “Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances” on its official website.
Bangladesh
On 13 August 2026, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published the “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines 2026 for Plastic Waste Management” in its Official Gazette under …
Global
Following the outcomes of the informal heads‑of‑delegation meeting held in Nairobi from June 30 to July 3, 2026, Julio Cordano of Chile, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked …
Vietnam
On June 17, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued Decision No. 1428/QD-DCK on the promulgation of energy efficiency standards applicable to the Energy Labeling Program. The decision …
Vietnam
On 14 May 2026, the Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued Decision No. 1126/QD-BCT promulgating the Action Plan for the implementation of Directive No. 10/CT-TTg on strengthening electricity …
Malaysia
The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) of Malaysia published a policy titled National Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan 2026-2035 (NEEAP 2.0) on August 11, 2026. Replacing …
Vietnam
On 08 July 2026, the Department of Customs issued Official Letter No. 18623/CHQ-GSQL to the Regional Customs Sub-Department VIII (Quang Ninh) regarding the import of conditional chemicals. Accordingly, in response …
New Zealand
On June 2, 2026, New Zealand promulgated the Customs Import Prohibition (Nitrous Oxide) Order 2026, which took effect on June 5, 2026. The order establishes new requirements for businesses importing …
Vietnam
On May 27, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment published the full text of the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Environmental Protection Law and solicited …
Current Status of the Philippines’ EV Battery Recycling and Critical Minerals Strategy
Philippines
Global Demand for EV Batteries and the Philippine Overview Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly important component of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security, and reduce …
Vietnam
On June 30, 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued Circular No. 36/2026/TT-BKHCN on the List of Products and Goods with Medium and High Risk Levels under the jurisdiction …
*Taiwan
On August 5, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) announced amendments to the Fee Rates for Article Collection, Removal, and Treatment, which regulates recycling fees (collection, removal, and treatment fees) …
Vietnam
On 17 August 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Official Letter No. 6568/BCT-HC, which solicits comments on the draft decree amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. …
Vietnam
On July 28, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Official Letter No. 5883/BCT-HC, seeking comments on the Draft Decree amending Decree No. 24/2026/ND-CP stipulating the lists of chemicals …
Vietnam
On May 22, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City”s Department of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Vietnam Chemical Agency(Vinachemia), Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Area VII …
Japan
On July 30, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Finance (MOF), and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) promulgated and enforced the Ordinance Partially …
Vietnam
On June 10, 2026, the Vietnam Chemical Agency(Vinachemia), Ministry of Industry and Trade) presided over the “Conference on Guiding the Implementation of the 2025 Law on Chemicals and Subordinate Legislation …
Japan
On July 24, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry(METI), Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare(MHLW), and Ministry of the Environment(MOE) jointly deliberated revisions to the screening evaluation associated …
South Korea
On July 15, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) announced proposed partial amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Clean Air Conservation Act. …
Japan
On July 31, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE) released a revised edition of the Guidelines for Green Purchasing Initiatives for Local Governments and newly issued the Guidelines for …
Global
International discussions and institutional preparations are advancing toward the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), a global framework for chemical management. In May 2024, the Organisation for Economic …
South Korea
On July 14, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) announced proposed amendments to the Public Notice on Standards for Average Energy Consumption Efficiency and Permissible Greenhouse …
The Hidden Pipeline – Illegal Waste Trafficking, Industrial Dumping, and the Regulatory Reform Thailand Urgently Needs
Thailand
On July 31, 2026, a 22-wheel truck was caught mid-operation dumping industrial waste into a private laterite pit in Sa Kaeo province. It was not an isolated incident. It was …
Vietnam
On 30 June 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 33/2026/TT-BCT on the List of products and goods classified as medium-risk and high-risk falling under the state …
South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued a preliminary administrative notice on June 26, 2026, regarding a proposed partial amendment to the Eco-label Target Products and Certification …
South Korea
On June 22, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued an administrative notice of a proposed amendment to the Standards for Labeling Packaging Material and Structure …
Singapore
On July 31, 2026, Singapore promulgated two legislative instruments related to the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Under the new framework, notifications that had …
South Korea
On June 28, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) announced that, effective July 1, 2026, it would prohibit the sale and distribution of unapproved biocidal products …
South Korea
On July 15, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued a preliminary administrative notice on a proposed partial amendment to the Guidelines on the Application and …
Vietnam
On 25 May 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) issued Circular No. 24/2026/TT-BNNMT, providing detailed guidance for the implementation of selected provisions of Decree No. 110/2026/ND-CP, which elaborates …
South Korea
On June 25, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with six used-battery recycling companies and the Korea Environment Corporation to …
*Taiwan
On July 6, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment promulgated the amended public notice titled “Scope, Facility Installation, Standards, and Other Compliance Matters for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Sellers Required to …
China
On June 16, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft revision of the recommended national standard Road Vehicles – Requirements for Restricted Hazardous Substances for …
China
On July 6, 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the draft recommended national standard Limits of hazardous substances in thermoplastic polyurethane for public comment. The public …
New Zealand
On July 29, 2026, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced the launch of a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Graphic Materials Group Standard 2020. Submissions will …
*Taiwan
On July 15, 2026, the amended Waste Disposal Act was promulgated by presidential decree in Taiwan. This revision adds 10 new articles, repeals 3 articles, and amends 23 articles. Together …
Philippines
On May 11, 2026, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2026-24: Additional List of Chemicals to …
China
On June 30, 2026, the National Development and Reform Commission of China released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Circular Economy Development. Focusing on key sectors and crucial stages over the …
China
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has promulgated the Provisions for the Management of Registration, Notification, and Dossiers of New Cosmetic Ingredients. These Provisions will take effect on July 15, …
Vietnam
On July 1, 2026, the Vietnam Chemical Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested all organizations and individuals with accounts in the Chemical Database to review all previously …
Indonesia
The Indonesian Ministry of Environment is drafting a bill to amend the current Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 75/2019 on Waste Reduction Roadmap by Producers, as reported by …
*Taiwan
On July 1, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs released a draft amendment to the Legal Inspection Requirements for Lithium-Ion Power Banks and Other Power Supply Equipment. Under this amendment, …
China
On June 21, 2026, the State Council of China released the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a “Beautiful China”. The plan sets numerical targets aimed to be achieved by 2030. …
Vietnam
On May 20, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 26/2026/TT-BCT, amending and supplementing certain regulations on the decentralization, reduction, and simplification of administrative procedures in sectors …
India
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published Indian Standard IS 19685:2026, Sunscreen Cosmetics Products Specification, in March 2026. This standard applies to all leave-on sunscreen cosmetic products sold in the …
*Taiwan
On June 30, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment announced amendments to the public notice Restrictions on the Manufacture, Import, and Sale of Dry Cell Batteries. This revision was formulated to …
Indonesia
The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree No. 212/2026 on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and Energy Conservation Labels for …
Malaysia
The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) of Malaysia issued a circular on July 6, 2026, to adopt the amendments to the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) based on the 43rd ASEAN …
Australia
On June 18, 2026, the Australian Government published the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Instrument 2026 on the Federal Register of Legislation. This amendment modifies …
China
On June 5, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released a draft revision of the mandatory National Standard Toothpaste Specification (GB 22115-2008) to solicit public comments. The public comment …
China
On June 8, 2026, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) released a draft revision of Technical Documentation for the Assessment of Electrical and Electronic Products with Respect to the Restriction …
China (1,160) South Korea (356) *Taiwan (260) Japan (116)
*Hong Kong (27) Vietnam (391) Thailand (246) Philippines (184) Singapore (153) Malaysia (144) Indonesia (133) Laos (15)
Brunei (8)
Myanmar (8)
Cambodia (2)
Saudi Arabia (6)
Oman (2) Australia (81) New Zealand (30)
