regulatory updates
Highlights
Vietnam: Law on Special Consumption Tax
Vietnam | 14 06, 2025
On 14 June 2025, the National Assembly (NA) passed the revised Law on Special Consumption Tax (SCT). Consistent with our recent updates, the Law sets an 8 percent rate, effective from 01 January 2027. The rate will further increase to 10 percent from 01 January 2028. This is applicable to “water-based beverages as defined by TCVN” with sugar content exceeding 5g/100ml. The law will take effect from 01 January 2026. Notably, the NA Standing Committee (NASC) responded to deputies’ proposals to extend the tax to artificially sweetened beverages, stating that further study is needed to assess the potential impact on production and business recovery.Read more
Vietnam: Law on Product and Goods Quality
Vietnam | 18 06, 2025
On 18 June 2025, the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) passed the Law on Goods and Product Quality, which will take effect on 01 January, 2026. While the adopted version includes numerous detailed revisions, these are not considered fundamental and do n...Read more
Vietnam: Law on Standards and Technical Regulations
Vietnam | 14 06, 2025
On 14 June 2025, the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) passed the amended Law on Standards and Technical Regulations. The adopted version includes a number of significant changes, primarily related to the procedures for developing, amending, appraising,...Read more
Singapore: Producer Responsibility Scheme
Singapore | 18 06, 2025
From 18 June 2025 onwards, the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) will be progressively sending out digital notification letters to beverage importers / manufacturers that are registered / li...Read more
Malaysia: Food Regulations 1985
Malaysia | 20 06, 2025
On 20 June 2025, the Malaysia Food Safety and Quality Programme (FSQP) published the Public Report Online Bill 2/2025, proposing significant amendments to several food regulations.The key amendments a...Read more
Indonesia: Sweetened Beverage Tax
Indonesia | 17 06, 2025
On 17 June 2025, during the state budget press conference, Director General of Customs and Excise, stated that the planned sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise will not be implemented this year. He e...Read more
Latest Updates
EU PET Associations Launched Guidance Document on Third-Party Certification for Recycled Materials and Articles
Europe | Jun 16, 2025
On 16 June 2025, several European PET associations launched a guidance document to support waste management operators and sorters in setting up third-party certification of quality assurance systems for recycled materials and articles.The association...Read more
US Senator Rounds Introduces Legislation to Permanently Protect “Product of USA” Label for Meat Products
US | Jun 18, 2025
On 18 June 2025, United States Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) reintroduced the USA Beef Act, legislation to limit the use of the “Product of USA” label only to beef products that are born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. The le...Read more
US Senator Rounds Asks Secretary of Agriculture to Outline Country of Origin Requirements for Beef
US | Jun 13, 2025
On 13 June 2025, United States Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins asking her to develop a framework for reinstating Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef.A majority of American c...Read more
US President Trump Signs Order Confirming parts of UK-US Tariff Deal
US | Jun 17, 2025
On 16 June 2025, United States President Donald Trump signed off a deal removing some trade barriers between the UK and US. The move will bring into force parts of an agreement agreed between the two countries last month, and reduce tariffs on UK car...Read more
Pakistan Sindh District Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Took Effect
Others | Jun 16, 2025
From 16 June 2025, the Sindh plastic bag ban took effect. The Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Sindh Agha Shah Nawaz Khan has firmly warned all manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers that the production...Read more
UK Government Chemist Programme Published "Comparative Quantitative Review of the Sustainability of the Novel Food Production Methods"
United Kingdom | Jun 16, 2025
On 16 June 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) Government Chemist programme published the Comparative quantitative review of the sustainability of novel food production methods. This review provides an evaluation summary of the leading categories of altern...Read more
UNEP Launched Global Plastics Hub
Others | Jun 17, 2025
On 17 June 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the Global Plastics Hub, a tool that integrates data from multiple sources to support evidence-based decision-making on plastic pollution. Developed under the Global Partnershi...Read more
US CalRecycle Delayed AB 1201 on Compostable Product Bans
US | Jun 13, 2025
On 13 June 2025, Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) announced on their LinkedIn that CalRecycle granted a brief extension of the effective date built into state law (AB 1201) that bans compostable products unless they are allowed in compost appro...Read more