Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 of the European Parliament and of the Council has been published in the EU Official Journal. The new Regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (commonly known as “CLP”). The EU’s lawmakers deemed it necessary to amend the CLP (which dates from 2008), in order to keep pace with globalisation, technological developments and new means of sales, such as online sales.

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council entered into force on12 February 2025. The new Regulation updates packaging rules at EU level and seeks to promote the circular economy while reducing packaging waste. Hong Kong sellers of all types of goods using packaging should be aware that the measures cover the full lifecycle of packaging. Many of the regulation’s provisions will apply from August 2026.

On 5 February 2025, the European Commission announced the publication of its Communication on E-Commerce, ‘A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce'. Essentially, the Commission is taking action to tackle risks stemming from low-value imports sold via non-EU online retailers and marketplaces hosting non-EU traders. As such, the contents of the Communication could affect some Hong Kong traders.

It was reported on 17 December 2024 that the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has issued warning letters to approximately 1,000 Chinese companies citing probable non-compliance with producer responsibility obligations. These warnings mark the initial step in an enforcement process that could culminate in injunctions, fines or other legal action.

Hong Kong-based company IXON has developed the ASAP technology, which allows food to be stored at room temperature for up to two years without losing its nutritional value. This technology reduces energy consumption and lowers costs associated with refrigerated transport and storage. HKTDC Research interviewed IXON to understand how the technology is developed and how can the technology help pack and store food products in an eco-friendly manner.

Malaysia has issued the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Pre-Packaged Goods) Order 2023, effective from September 1, 2023. This order applies to all pre-packaged goods manufactured in or imported into Malaysia, and covers the requirements for their marking.

The Agricultural Marketing Service is accepting comments through 7 December on proposed changes intended to ensure that U.S. importers are being assessed on the same products as domestic manufacturers under the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order.

The U.S. state of Maine recently issued a list of ten food contact chemicals of high concern as part of efforts to gather information on the current use of these chemicals in food packaging. Manufacturers and distributors of food packaging containing any of these chemicals in an amount greater than de minimis are required to report that fact to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection by around June.

The Board of Investment (BOI) has approved a number of incentives designed to boost the levels of R&D and staff training within the country.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is accepting comments through 5 April on risks in the semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging supply chains. The Department of Commerce has been tasked with submitting to the White House by early June a report that identifies such risks and proposes policy recommendations to address them.