Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 27 August 2026

The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, in New Zealand, has introduced regulations: Waste Minimisation (Agrichemicals and Farm Plastics) Regulations 2026.The regulations provide the legal mechanism to fund and deliver the Rural Recycling Scheme. The draft regulations operationalise the proposed regulated product stewardship scheme for agrichemicals and farm plastics by:Making scheme participation mandatory for producers of regulated products.Establishing regulated product stewardship fees to fund a national take-back and recycling services. The regulations apply to:Agrichemicals sold in plastic containers or drums of 1,000 litres or less (including household pest and weed products).Plastic bale wrap and silage sheets.Agricultural products sold in: Plastic bags weighing 16–40 kg, andWoven polypropylene bags weighing over 40 kg. Agrichemical means a liquid or solid substance used to—(i) manage plants or livestock; or(ii) control pests; or(iii) regulate plant or livestock health; and(b) excludes—(i) products supplied in aerosol form; and(ii) detergents and sanitisers; and(iii) vertebrate toxic agents; and(iv) products intended for domestic use (except for products used incontrolling pests or weeds in a home or garden) Agricultural product means—(a) seeds used for sowing, including pasture, arable, horticultural, and specialisedcrop seeds:(b) livestock feeds, including grain-based rations and specialised feeds:(c) fertilisers, including conventional and speciality fertilisers, used toenhance horticultural production or crop and pasture growth:(d) soil and crop inputs used to improve soil structure, fertility, or productivity(excluding home garden products):(e) supplements provided in addition to livestock feed and used to supportlivestock health, performance, and nutrition.

Products Covered: Seeds, fruits and spores, for sowing (excl. leguminous vegetables and sweetcorn, coffee, tea, maté and spices, cereals, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, and seeds and fruit used primarily in perfumery, medicaments or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes) (HS code(s): 1209); Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding (HS code(s): 2309); Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those for transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) (HS code(s): 3004); FERTILISERS (HS code(s): 31); Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up for retail sale or as preparations or articles, e.g. sulphur-treated bands, wicks and candles, and fly-papers (HS code(s): 3808); Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular plastics, not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, without backing, unworked or merely surface-worked or merely cut into squares or rectangles (excl. self-adhesive products, and floor, wall and ceiling coverings of heading 3918) (HS code(s): 3920); Sacks and bags, for the packing of goods, of polyethylene or polypropylene strip or the like (excl. flexible intermediate bulk containers) (HS code(s): 630533)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 21 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 20 October 2026

This document specifies the energy efficiency grades, minimum allowable energy efficiency values, energy efficiency calculation methods and test methods for fiber lasers used in industrial production and processing.This document applies to continuous wave (CW) fiber laser, quasi-continuous wave (QCW) fiber laser, pulsed fiber laser, fiber-coupled direct diode laser, ring-shot fiber laser with a rated output optical power of 500W or greater.This document does not apply to communication fiber lasers, thulium- or holmium-doped fiber lasers.

Products Covered: Continuous wave(CW) fiber laser, quasi-continuous wave(QCW) fiber laser, pulsed fiber laser, fiber-coupled direct diode laser, ring-shot fiber laser (HS code(s): 901320; 902750); (ICS code(s): 27.010)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 21 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 20 September 2026

This document sets out the structure of the International System of Units (SI), specifies units that may be used together with SI units, rules for the use of measurement units, and the legal units of measurement of China that may be used together with SI units.This document applies to the use of measurement units in all fields of the national economy, science and technology, culture and education.

Products Covered: Products classified under HS Chapters 01 to 96 (excluding Chapter 77) that involve the use of measurement units, expression of quantity values, labelling, packaging instructions, product instructions, technical documents and trade documents (HS code(s): 01; 02; 03; 04; 05; 06; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 76; 78; 79; 80; 81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96); (ICS code(s): 01.060)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 20 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 19 October 2026

Notice - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on the draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for ethylene dibromide. The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA is seeking comment on the draft risk evaluation for ethylene dibromide.

Products Covered: Ethylene dibromide (EDB; 1,2-dibromoethane; CASRN 106-93-4), chemical mixtures containing EDB, and downstream formulations (including leaded aviation gasoline/avgas and related fuel additives); Saturated chlorinated derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons (excl. chloromethane [methyl chloride], chloroethane [ethyl chloride], dichloromethane [methylene chloride], chloroform [trichloromethane], carbon tetrachloride and ethylene dichloride [ISO] [1,2 dichloroethane]) (HS code(s): 290319); - Anti-knock preparations: (HS code(s): 38111); Pollution, pollution control and conservation (ICS code(s): 13.020.40); Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene (ICS code(s): 13.100); Products of the chemical industry in general (ICS code(s): 71.100.01)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 17 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 16 October 2026

The draft Law aims to improve the regulatory framework for chemical safety and chemicals management in Ukraine and to align it with relevant international and European Union requirements. It introduces amendments to the legislation on chemical safety and chemicals management following Ukraine’s accession to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and to implement relevant provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/852 on mercury, Regulation (EU) 2024/1849, Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP), and Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals.The draft Law introduces and updates requirements concerning the management, use, import and export of hazardous chemicals, mercury and mercury-containing products, as well as the classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures. It also provides for amendments to relevant administrative and insurance requirements applicable to activities involving chemical products. The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the protection of human health and the environment from risks associated with hazardous chemicals and mercury and to establish a coherent and up-to-date regulatory framework for chemical safety and chemicals management.

Products Covered: Chemical products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 17 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 16 October 2026

The Draft Circular consolidates and updates Viet Nam's rules on quarantine of terrestrial and aquatic animals and animal products. It establishes the lists of commodities subject to or exempt from quarantine, quarantine targets, and commodities subject to import risk analysis.It prescribes requirements and procedures for transport out of province-level administrative divisions; export; import; temporary import for re-export; temporary export for re-import; border-gate transfer; bonded warehousing; transit; accompanied or postal consignments; fairs, exhibitions, competitions and performances; and transport of disease specimens. Measures include registration and declaration, documentary and physical or clinical inspection, quarantine isolation where applicable, sampling and testing, cleaning and disinfection, identification and sealing, electronic submission and certification, processing time limits, and issuance of quarantine certificates.The measure applies to all trading partners dealing in covered commodities. It is expected to clarify and simplify procedures, strengthen traceability and risk-based controls, facilitate electronic processing, and provide specified exemptions for listed lower-risk or traceable commodities and cases, while maintaining protection against animal diseases and zoonoses.The Draft Circular will replace or repeal: Circular No. 11/2016/TT-BNNPTNT dated 1 June 2016; Circular No. 01/2026/TT-BNNMT dated 1 January 2026; Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BNNMT dated 13 January 2026; and Article 15 of Circular No. 22/2026/TT-BNNMT dated 19 May 2026. Transitional provisions preserve the validity of certificates already issued and allow specified pre-printed forms, ear tags and sealing wires to continue to be used through 31 December 2027.

Products Covered: Live terrestrial and aquatic animals; meat, fish and other products of animal origin; animal genetic material; and other commodities listed in Appendices Ia and Ib of the Draft Circular (HS chapters: 01-05, 15, 16, 23, 30, 41, 43, 51, 67 and 96, as applicable; ICS codes: 11.220, 65.020.30, 67.100 and 67.120)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 August 2026

The measure prohibits the import of nitrous oxide without a permit from the Director-General of Health. Permits may be issued if the Director-General is satisfied that the nitrous oxide is intended for a lawful purpose, and the importer will take reasonable steps to avoid diversion to unlawful use. Permits are issued at no charge to the importer. 

Products Covered: Inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals (excl. diphosphorus pentaoxide, oxides of boron, carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide) (HS code(s): 281129)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 August 2026

Description: Products covered: ICS: 97.040.20 (Cooking ranges, working tables, ovens and similar appliances).This addendum concerns the notification of the Ministerial Decree No.159/2026 (2 pages, in Arabic) that extends the transitional period granted to producers and importers to abide by the mandatory Egyptian Standards ES 164 for domestic cooking appliances working for use with liquified petroleum gases for another six month starting from 7/7/2026.It should be noted that the Ministerial Decree No. 423/2005 (25 pages, in Arabic) which was formerly notified in G/TBT/N/EGY/3 dated 14 December 2005, the Ministerial Decree No. 1002/2017 (3 pages, in Arabic) which was formerly notified in G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.8 dated 10 January 2018 and  the Ministerial Decree No. 58/2026 (2 pages, in Arabic) which was formerly notified in G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.101, G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.102, G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.103, G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.104 dated 25 March 2026 mandated among others the earlier versions of this Standard and the draft of this standard was formerly notified in G/TBT/N/EGY/3/Add.100 dated 7 January 2026.Worth mentioning is that the following:The Standard ES 164-1-1 adopts the technical content of ISO 21364-1:2025.The Standard ES 164-1-2 has been formulated according to National studies.The Standard ES 164-1-3 adopts the technical content of ISO 21364-21:2025.The Standard ES 164-1-4 adopts the technical content of ISO 21364-22:2025Producers and importers are kept informed of any amendments in the Egyptian standards through the publication of administrative orders in the official gazette.Proposed date of adoption: 15 July 2026.Proposed date of entry into force: 7 July 2026.Agency or authority designated to handle comments and text available from:National Enquiry PointEgyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality16 Tadreeb El-Modarrebeen St., Ameriya, Cairo - EgyptE-mail: eos@eos.org.eg/eos.tbt@eos.org.egWebsite: http://www.eos.org.egTel: + (202) 22845528Fax: + (202) 22845504

Products Covered: Chemical, textile and engineering products

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 13 August 2026

Resolución ICA No. 00015843 del 6 de agosto de 2026 "Por medio de la cual se establecen las disposiciones necesarias para el cumplimiento y aplicación en el territorio nacional de la Decisión Andina 960 de 2025 y su Manual Técnico, en desarrollo del principio de complemento indispensable" (ICA Resolution No. 00015843 of 6 August 2026 establishing the necessary provisions for compliance with, and implementation within the national territory of, Andean Community Decision No. 960 of 2025 and the associated technical manual, in accordance with the principle of indispensable complement)The Republic of Colombia hereby announces the issuance of ICA Resolution No. 00015843 of 6 August 2026 establishing the necessary provisions for compliance with, and implementation within the national territory of, Andean Community Decision No. 960 of 2025 and the associated technical manual, in accordance with the principle of indispensable complement. This measure applies to all natural or legal persons, whether domestic or foreign, engaged in the manufacturing or processing, contract manufacturing or processing, semi-processing, importation or storage of pharmacological and biological products; ectoparasiticides, insecticides and repellents; antiseptics, disinfectants, sanitizers and detergents for veterinary use, including their raw materials, and to laboratories providing quality control services for such products to third parties.This Resolution was published in Official Journal No. 53,580 of 6 August 2026 and shall come into force on 2 October 2026.https://www.ica.gov.co/getattachment/25ebaa61-524e-487b-8ee7-144932b67346/2026R00015843.aspxhttps://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/COL/26_04227_00_s.pdf

Products Covered: Pharmacological and biological products; ectoparasiticides, insecticides and repellents; antiseptics, disinfectants, sanitizers and detergents for veterinary use, including their raw materials (HS code(s): 3003; 3004; 3402; 3808)

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 11 August 2026 | Final date for Comment: 10 October 2026

This document specifies the terminology and definitions, test principles, methods for determining the delay time of industrial detonators, and the presentation of test results.This document applies to the determination of the delay time of industrial detonators.

Products Covered: Industrial detonator (HS code(s): 360320); (ICS code(s): 71.100.30)

Regulation Type: Regular notification