The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) announced the publication of its new sustainability- and climate-related reporting standards, providing the framework underlying Hong Kong’s upcoming new corporate disclosure requirements. The new standards, HKFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, and… Read More »Hong Kong Releases Sustainability, Climate Reporting Standards

The Government of Canada has announced a new climate target, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% to 50% by 2035, relative to 2005 levels. While the government positioned the new target as “the next step” toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, it… Read More »Canada aims to achieve a 45% to 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035

The Ministry of Environment of South Korea recently submitted a notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the revision of the Designation of Restricted Substance and Prohibited Substance. This revision aims to strengthen the restrictions on the use of lead and its compounds as… Read More »South Korea to Ban the Following Chemicals! Impact Expected on Paints, Cleaners, and Related Industries

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), tasked with implementing and enforcing regulations requiring large companies to disclose value chain emissions and report climate-related financial risks, announced plans to ease initial reporting requirements under the new rules. CARB stated it would not pursue enforcement actions during… Read More »California to Give Companies an Extra Year Before Fully Enforcing New Climate Reporting Rules

The Swiss government has announced the launch of a consultation on new proposals aimed at updating the country’s sustainability disclosure rules for companies. These proposals include a requirement for companies to present plans for aligning with Switzerland’s net zero target by 2050, as well as… Read More »Switzerland to Mandate Companies to Share Net Zero Roadmaps Aligned with 2050 Goals

Malaysia has published the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024 on November 26, 2024. As the first legislation in regulating energy conservation, the Act now imposes duties such as appointment of energy managers, implementation of energy management systems etc. on energy consumers such as factories,… Read More »Malaysia Publishes Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act

  Taiwan will launch its long-delayed carbon fee program on January 1, 2025, targeting the country’s largest carbon emitters with a fee of up to NT$300 (US$9.31) per metric ton of carbon emissions, according to the Ministry of Environment (MOENV). The rate, which was recommended… Read More »Taiwan to introduce carbon fee scheme on Jan. 1, 2025: MOENV

On November 26, 2024, the Chemical Substance Bureau, the Ministry of Environment in Taiwan, China, released a draft amendment on the Categories and Management of Handling for Concerned Chemical Substances, in alignment with the regulations of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling… Read More »China Taiwan Lists Cybutryne as a Concerned Chemical Substance

On December 1, 2022, Ukraine passed a law titled “On Ensuring Chemical Safety and Management of Chemical Products,” which came into effect on June 29, 2024. Articles 35 and 36 of the law stipulate that classification and labeling must conform to the global GHS system.… Read More »Ukraine Implements UA-CLP to Align with Global Standards