The European Union is recalibrating its approach to recycled content requirements for PET beverage bottles, responding to mounting pressure on the plastics recycling sector while seeking to preserve the credibility of its circular economy objectives. Recent measures proposed by the European Commission mark a clear shift from a rigid, technology-specific framework towards a more flexible and investment-friendly system that recognises current market realities and technological constraints.

On 1 January 2026, two Council Regulations, supporting trade with EU industry, began to apply. Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2614 and Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2605. The first document explains how the EU has updated its system of autonomous tariff quotas. The second document suspends customs duties on a wide range of agricultural and industrial inputs imported into the EU, where production in the EU is insufficient or non-existent. Both documents may give rise to trading opportunities for Hong Kong sellers.

On 3 December, the General Administration of Customs (GAC), the National Health Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued a notice to immediately initiate a pilot programme for category management of imported substances that are traditionally used as both food and Chinese herbal medicine.

Malaysia has issued Food Regulations (Amendment No. 3) 2025, introducing updated definitions, alcohol-content standards and labelling requirements for a range of beverages under the Food Regulations 1985. The amendment was gazetted in late 2025 and will take effect on 1 April 2026.