On May 8, 2025, the FDA issued a letter to retailers, distributors and importers informing them that dinnerware products such as bowls, plates, cups and utensils made from the sheath of A. catechu palm leaves have the potential to leach toxic alkaloid chemicals into food.

The European Commission (the “Commission”) has recently designated, by means of Regulation 2025/1093, high and low risk counties with regard to the production of a number of commodities associated with deforestation and forest degradation. Hong Kong sellers may recall that the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation 2023/1115 – the “EUDR”) , was delayed partly due to complexity issues. Since its delay, the Commission has also introduced subsequent guidance to simplify and ensure consistent application of the rules.

The European Commission has released its 2024 annual notification report on food contact materials (FCMs) and related articles, highlighting the key products affected and the most frequently reported issues.

The European Commission (Commission) has published a Communication revealing its strategy to revitalise the European Single Market. The strategy focuses on eliminating cross-national barriers to trade inside the European Union and on making the functioning of the Single Market a joint responsibility of the Member States and the Commission. Among other issues, the strategy aims to dismantle fragmented rules on packaging and packaging waste and outdated product-related rules, while implementing stricter harmonised enforcement across the Member States, to ensure product compliance.

The State Council announced on 18 April that the amended Interim Regulations on Express Delivery will take effect on 1 June. The amended regulations call for efforts to improve comprehensive support policies and promote the use of green, minimal and recyclable packaging. Express delivery enterprises and senders are encouraged to use degradable, reusable and environmentally-friendly packaging materials. Science and technology innovation is encouraged and support will be given to the research, development and production of express delivery packaging that meets environmental protection requirements using new technologies, new materials and new processes. Enterprises engaged in express delivery operations are encouraged to use packaging materials that have been certified as green products. Steps will be taken to promote the development of express delivery enterprises in collaboration with commodity production and e-commerce enterprises, to promote original packaging deliveries and reduce secondary packaging during deliveries. Express delivery enterprises shall report on the use and recycling of single-use plastic products in packaging materials to the postal administration department in accordance with relevant regulations.

Aerosols are both energy-intensive to make and hard to recycle, but one Hungarian duo’s refillable cans may provide a green alternative.

Smart manufacturing has emerged from integrating advanced technologies with manufacturing, which is pushing production processes towards a higher level of automation and connectivity. In an interview with HKTDC Research, Director of CVI Modern Technology Development Ltd, Robert Yan, shared his experience on relocating the company’s production base from Hong Kong to Malaysia and how technologies are integrated into factory operations.

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.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on imported polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from China and Indonesia. Announced in a preliminary determination issued on 7 January 2025, the duties range from 6.33% to 37.44%. Effective immediately, they will remain in force for up to 120 days pending the MITI’s final determination, to be announced on 6 May 2025. The measure comes after local producer, Recron (M) Sdn Bhd, petitioned claiming that PET imports from China and Indonesia were being sold at prices lower than their domestic market value, causing material injury to Malaysia's domestic industry.

Hong Kong manufacturers produce a wide range of packaging materials, including paper containers, polyethylene (PE) packages and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packages, with mainland China being Hong Kong's largest market.