The German government has spoken out against a draft Commission Delegated Regulation establishing the methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of electric vehicle (“EV”) batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (the “EU Batteries Regulation” or “EUBR”). Hong Kong traders selling batteries for electric vehicles to EU customers should be aware that the implementation of the proposed methodology by the European Commission (“Commission”) could negatively affect the import of and demand for batteries produced outside of the EU territory.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept public input through 30 November on separate proposals to modify the tariff classifications of certain women’s pants and video goggles.

The U.S. Department of Energy has taken certain regulatory actions involving clothes dryers, clothes washers, dishwashers, furnaces and furnace fans.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that it is seeking nearly US$300,000 in import duties and almost US$800,000 in penalties in a civil lawsuit alleging that the former vice president of a U.S. importer made false statements to U.S. officials to avoid paying applicable import tariffs and AD/CV duties.

India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore to collaborate in semiconductors, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced on 5 September 2024. The India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership deal will support India’s semiconductor industry plans, while facilitating the entry of Singapore semiconductor firms and supply chains to the Indian market. The agreement will involve government-led policy exchanges on supply chain resilience, ecosystem development and workforce development. The MTI and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will support discussions, monitor the implementation of cooperation areas and share best practices.

Hong Kong’s electronics industry is the territory’s largest merchandise export earner, accounting for 70.4% of the city’s total exports in 2023. A substantial portion of this business, largely re-exports, are regarded as high-tech products, especially those related to telecommunications equipment, semiconductors and computer items.

Canada has adopted more stringent requirements for laser products in an effort to provide better protection to Canadian consumers and help reduce injury from the broad and increased range of laser technologies currently available in the market.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a final rule to establish and amend the certification provisions, labelling requirements and enforcement provisions for specific types of consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment.

Mexico is considering separate proposals to update the current mandatory energy efficiency requirements for motor-pump combinations used to pump clean water for household use (comments on this proposal are due by 4 November) and central, package and split-type air conditioners (comments on this proposal are due by 5 November).

The U.S. Department of Energy has confirmed that the new or amended energy conservation standards for miscellaneous refrigeration products and air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity of at least 65,000 Btu/h will apply from 31 January 2029 and 1 January 2029, respectively.