Background: Stringent K-REACH Enforcement The Korea Environment Corporation (KECO) is intensifying investigations into chemical substances with (post-)pre-registered volumes exceeding 100 t/a that have not completed full registration. Authorities are tracing export volumes from 2018 to 2025. Under K-REACH, companies exporting unregistered substances risk severe penalties,… Read More »K-REACH Deadline Nears: Export Bans and Heavy Fines Await High-Tonnage Chemicals That Skip Voluntary Self-Reporting

On 20 August 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released the updated 14th edition of its PFAS restriction proposal (“Background Document”). The revision broadens the scope to include eight additional industry sectors and introduces new regulatory pathways. Key Highlights 1. Expanded Sector Assessments Alternatives and… Read More »PFAS Restriction Proposal Updated by ECHA: Eight More Sectors Added for Evaluation

On August 19, 2025, the Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued a notice extending the deadline for applications to postpone the disclosure of chemical substance identification information. The notice applies to substances with environmental management registration… Read More »China Extends Application Deadline for Deferring Disclosure of Chemical Substance Identification Data

European regulators have reached an agreement to coordinate policies and enforcement in sustainable finance. The deal is intended to strengthen supervision by integrating environmental data into financial oversight, reduce duplication, and reinforce the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)… Read More »ESMA and EU Environment Agency Strengthen Collaboration on Sustainable Finance Oversight

California’s new climate disclosure laws, which require large companies to report greenhouse gas emissions across their value chains and disclose climate-related financial risks, have withstood another legal challenge. U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II denied a motion to block enforcement on First Amendment free speech… Read More »California Climate Disclosure Law Upheld in Court

Vietnam amended and added to several elements of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy (Law No. 50/2010/QH12) on June 18, 2025, with the promulgation of Law No. 77/2025/QH15. On January 1, 2026, this amendment (henceforth referred to as “the Amendment Law”) will… Read More »Vietnam Modifies the Law on Economical and Efficient Energy Use

British Columbia has released an updated approach to developing, reviewing, and maintaining greenhouse gas (GHG) offset protocols under its Offset Protocol Policy (OPP), aiming to enhance transparency, diversify eligible projects, and ensure permanent emissions reductions. The province’s protocols comply with ISO 14064-2 standards, ensuring emissions… Read More »British Columbia Revises Offset Protocol Framework, Initiates Review of Fuel Switch Protocol

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has issued a no action letter advising regulators not to prioritize enforcement of the upcoming ESG Pillar 3 disclosure requirements for banks, pending clarity on the European Commission’s Omnibus I initiative to simplify sustainability reporting and compliance obligations. The guidance… Read More »EBA Advises Regulators to Delay Enforcement of ESG Disclosure Rules for Banks

On July 31, 2025, Singapore issued the Environmental Protection and Management Act 1999 (Amendment of Second Schedule) (No. 4) Order 2025, set to take effect from August 1, 2025. The amendment updates Part II of the Second Schedule (General Exemptions) by revising the entry for… Read More »Singapore Updates Environmental Act Exemptions

· The National Medical Products Administration, the National Health Commission, and the Ministry of Public Security together released a statement on July 21, 2025. · The current Narcotics Catalogue, Psychotropic Substances Catalogue, and Supplementary Catalogue of Controlled Varieties of Non-medical Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances have… Read More »China Issues the New Edition of the Catalogue of Psychotropic Substances and Non-Medical Narcotics