On July 22, 2025, Japan convened a joint council meeting with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to deliberate on the handling of PFHxS-related substances, recommended for designation… Read More »Japan Holds Council Session on Potential Regulation of PFHxS-Related Substances 

Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) have revised the timelines for implementing mandatory climate-related reporting, easing requirements particularly for small- and mid-sized companies.  While listed companies will still need to disclose Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG)… Read More »Singapore Pushes Back Climate Reporting Mandate, Granting SMEs More Time to Adapt 

On July 21, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the addition of 18 new chemicals to its Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL). With this update, the list now includes 983 chemicals used across industries such as cleaning products, industrial solvents, and more. Aligned… Read More »EPA Expands Safer Chemical Ingredients List with 18 Additions

To encourage a circular economy in the industrial sector, Malaysia is tightening restrictions on the importation of plastic waste and requiring certification of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials.  More stringent regulations on the importation of plastic garbage have been in place since July 1, 2025. Amendments… Read More »Malaysia Enhances Regulation of Plastic Waste Imports 

The UK has launched a public consultation on draft Transition Finance Guidelines, designed to channel investment into high-emitting sectors and reinforce the country’s ambition to be a global leader in transition finance. The guidelines set out principles and practical factors that apply across asset classes… Read More »UK Releases Draft Transition Finance Guidelines to Drive Decarbonization in High-Emitting Sectors

The Philippines is set to launch a Carbon Credit Policy for its energy sector, aimed at strengthening the country’s position in global carbon markets while advancing its clean energy transition. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the draft framework will establish rules for generating… Read More »Philippines Set to Introduce Carbon Credit Framework for Energy Sector

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