On 30 April, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation issued the 2026 catalogue of products subject to energy efficiency labels, along with related implementation rules.

Hong Kong is a world-renowned sourcing centre for a wide variety of multi-material houseware products, including tableware, kitchenware, non-electric domestic cooking/heating appliances and sanitaryware.

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants has been published in the EU’s Official Journal. This law is the EU’s new framework for detergents and surfactants. It replaces Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and is designed both to keep the internal market functioning smoothly for the products covered, and to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment. The new rules reflect technological developments over the past two decades, including the emergence of products containing micro-organisms, digitalisation of information and new sales models such as refills. The Regulation will largely apply from 23 September 2029.

Across the Chinese Mainland, companies in the elderly care sector are factoring in the needs of a very different post-retirement demographic.