The Directorate-General of the European Commission (“Commission”) for Taxation and Customs Union published a report last month on controls on products entering the EU market. The report aims to address the challenges faced due to product non-compliance during 2024 and to identify measures to further improve enforcement of EU rules. In light of this, Hong Kong traders, particularly those involved in e-commerce, should be aware of the future implications of the proposed EU customs reform.

On 26 August, the State Council released guidelines on deepening the implementation of the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus” Initiative to promote the extensive and in-depth integration of AI in six key areas, namely science and technology, industrial development, consumption, people’s well-being, governance and global co-operation.

The State Administration for Market Regulation began implementing a batch of major national standards on 1 September, aimed at supporting the regulation of emerging and future industries, promoting energy conservation, emissions reduction and efficiency improvements, facilitating a good consumption environment, and protecting people’s lives and property.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced on 22 August that Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (GB 26572—2025) will officially take effect on 1 August 2027.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a final rule that rescinds and amends the certification provisions, labelling requirements and enforcement provisions for specific types of consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment that were addressed in an October 2024 final rule.

John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attended the presentation of plaques to 15 State Key Laboratories (SKLs) in Hong Kong by the Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun, on 25 August. This followed a 2018 agreement by the Ministry of Science and Technology that Partner SKLs in Hong Kong paired with SKLs on the Mainland could be renamed SKLs.

Mexico recently adopted updated energy efficiency standards for unitary type air conditioners as well as three-phase, alternating current, induction, squirrel cage-type motors with a nominal power between 0.746 kW and 373 kW.

CBP has reclassified certain dimmers as boards for electric control under HTSUS 8537.10.91 (2.7 percent MFN duty) rather than as radio remote control apparatus under HTSUS 8526.92.50 (4.9 percent MFN duty).

The European Commission (“Commission”) has launched a new initiative with a view to enacting the Circular Economy Act (“CEA”) to make the EU economy more circular. It aims to adopt its proposal for a regulation by the end of 2026. The Commission is currently seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding overall opinions on the initiative and how to improve it. Interested Hong Kong traders have until 6 November 2025 to submit feedback through the following link: Circular Economy Act.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to detain a broad range of food and other regulated products from Mainland China and Hong Kong as part of its mission to prevent the importation of food, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, medical devices and radiation-emitting electronic products that fail to meet the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.