Q3 2026 Regulatory Update: Key EHS & Sustainability Developments Across APAC
In This Article
The third quarter of 2026 saw significant EHS and sustainability regulatory developments across Asia-Pacific, covering heat stress, air quality, GHG reporting, chemical enforcement, energy efficiency and workplace safety.
For organisations operating across multiple countries, the challenge is knowing which changes apply, when they take effect and what action is required. Here are the key developments EHS and sustainability teams should have on their radar.
Singapore
On 28 August 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that four previously recommended practices for workers exposed to heat will become mandatory from 1 December 2026: heat stress training, cool drinking water near work areas, cold water, ice packs or water spray on standby for emergency response, and suitable clothing to protect against excessive heat.
MOM also published updated scaffold fire safety requirements. The permitted period of use for timber scaffolds will be cut from nine months to three from 1 January 2027, fire-retardant scaffold netting will be required for projects awarded from 1 March 2027, and third-party certification will be required from 1 March 2028.
Malaysia
The Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2026 came into operation in July, introducing changes to environmental governance, including scheduled waste management in Sabah and Sarawak. came into operation in July, introducing changes to environmental governance, including scheduled waste management in Sabah and Sarawak.
The Exclusive Economic Zone Regulations 2026 also introduced new controls for protecting marine-sensitive areas and managing activities that could affect the marine environment.
Meanwhile, the proposed National Climate Change Bill is expected to be tabled in 2026 and could provide the framework for Malaysia’s future climate policy and carbon tax.
Vietnam
On 10 August 2026, Vietnam updated the list of sectors and facilities required to conduct greenhouse gas inventories. Effective from 25 September 2026, the new list replaces the 2024 version and covers 2,441 facilities across industry and trade, construction, transport, and agriculture and environment.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency issued Regulation No. 11 of 2026 on procedures for carbon trading in the waste sector. It covers emissions trading for regulated installations, emissions offsets, domestic and international trading, registration, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 11 of 2026 on labour inspection took effect on 3 July 2026. It replaces the 2016 framework and gives labour inspectors expanded enforcement powers, including authority to seal equipment and halt work processes.
Hong Kong
The second stage of Hong Kong’s Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 took effect on 20 September 2026, expanding coverage to additional building types, including data centres, and shortening the interval between energy audits.
The Labour Department also enhanced its Heat Stress at Work Warning system in August, allowing heat-related workplace measures to be triggered earlier during periods of extreme heat.
Philippines
In September 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Labor Advisory No. 15, providing guidance for managing workplace risks from smoke, haze and other air pollutants. The advisory reinforces the need for employers to assess air quality and adjust workplace controls as conditions change, particularly for outdoor work.
Australia
Australia established the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) on 1 July 2026 as its independent national environmental regulator, strengthening federal environmental compliance and enforcement.
New Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) are also scheduled to take effect from 1 December 2026, introducing updated exposure limits for workplace airborne contaminants, including diesel particulate matter.
This keeps it focused on the broader regulatory direction: stronger environmental enforcement and tighter workplace exposure controls.
New Zealand
New Zealand advanced major resource management reforms in September 2026, with the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill progressing towards replacing the Resource Management Act 1991.
Workplace safety requirements are also being strengthened. The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, passed in July, focuses on helping businesses manage critical risks that can cause serious harm and is due to take effect from 1 April 2027.
What Does This Mean for EHS Teams?
Across APAC, regulatory change is becoming more targeted, with greater emphasis on reporting, monitoring, workplace controls and enforcement.
Many of the developments highlighted this quarter are already in effect, while others will take effect in the coming months. For EHS teams, staying ahead means understanding which requirements apply, when they take effect and what needs to change at each site.
A current legal register can provide that visibility and help teams prepare for upcoming requirements before they become compliance issues.
Stay Ahead of Regulatory Change
SimplyEHS legal registers are curated by ESC’s EHS consultants and updated quarterly, helping organisations keep track of applicable EHS and sustainability requirements across supported APAC markets.
Explore our EHS Legal Registers to learn how SimplyEHS helps organisations stay informed and audit-ready.
