The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs decided to implement export controls on certain medium to heavy rare earth-related items.

On February 5, 2025, the South Korean National Assembly officially launched the legislative revision process for the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH), aiming to resolve disputes in the joint submission system for chemical substances and fill legal gaps in the replacement procedures for foreign manufacturers’ designated Only Representatives (OR). The revision, undergoing parliamentary review from February 7 to 21, 2025, marks a critical step in enhancing South Korea’s chemical management framework.

On March 20, 2025, the Chemical Safety Agency under South Korea’s Ministry of Environment released a draft of the Detailed Guidelines for Extended Inspection of Hazardous Chemical Transport Containers, mandating that expired containers undergo rigorous testing before reuse. The policy will take effect immediately upon finalization and undergo triennial reviews (by June 30 every three years) starting July 1, 2025.

On April 29, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) officially approved 34 mandatory national standards and one amendment to an existing mandatory national standard, including the Amendment to GB 38598-2020: General Requirements for Labels and Instructions of Disinfection Products. This amendment is scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2025.

On 1 April 2025, Regulation (EU) 2025/660 was published by the European Commission, amending Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (EU REACH). The revision specifically addresses polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in clay targets used for shooting.

Understanding the US FDA’s regulations and policies is vital for companies that intend to export their food materials to the US market. However, in recent years several companies have ceased their submitted GRAS Notice, and it's important to understand the reasons why.

The application of synthetic biology in food production continues to deepen. In response to this trend, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated its guidance for novel food applications, further refining requirements for products derived from synthetic biology

On 1 April, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion (SCCS/1672/24) on Benzophenone -1 (CAS No. 131-56-6). The preliminary opinion on Benzophenone -1 was issued on 7 November, 2024.

Recently, the newly revised Food Label Supervision and Administration Measures (hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”) and the National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Prepackaged Food Labels (GB 7718-2025) were officially released and will take effect simultaneously on March 16, 2027. These new regulations standardize various labeling requirements for food products and further clarify the requirements for special food labels, including health food.

On March 19, 2025, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Notice No. 2025-7, announcing significant amendments to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). In alignment with updated requirements under the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) and the Chemical Substances Control Act, chrysotile-previously classified as a restricted substance-has now been upgraded to a prohibited substance. This marks a comprehensive tightening of South Korea’s regulatory controls on chrysotile-related materials.