In This Article
Environmental, health, safety (EHS) and sustainability regulations continued to evolve across Asia-Pacific (APAC) throughout Q2 2026, with regulators introducing new requirements, launching consultations and progressing legislative reforms across multiple jurisdictions.
This article highlights selected regulatory developments from across the region during Q2 2026. While each update applies to a different jurisdiction, the broader trend is clear: organisations operating across the region need reliable visibility over regulatory change to stay ahead of evolving compliance obligations.
Below are some of the key developments that should be on the radar of EHS and sustainability professionals.
What are the key APAC EHS regulatory updates in Q2 2026?
Singapore
Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) confirmed in April 2026 that it will bring six additional mercury-added products under control as Hazardous Substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), phasing out their import, export and manufacture from 2027 and 2028 in line with the Minamata Convention. The quarter also saw amendments to the Energy Conservation Act and its Energy Management Practices Regulations, alongside updates to vehicular emissions and public health rules, as Singapore further tighten its environmental and energy compliance framework.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Department of Environment opened a 30-day public consultation (22 June–22 July 2026) on the draft Environmental Quality (Environmentally Hazardous Substances) Regulations 202X (PPKAS), introducing a structured MyEHS notification-and-inventory framework with differentiated controls for prohibited, controlled, and unintentionally produced EHS. This builds on an amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 earlier in the quarter, as Malaysia continues aligning its chemical management framework with the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s new Law on Chemicals No. 69/2025/QH15, passed in June 2025, took effect on 1 January 2026, with key implementing provisions (including certification for chemical storage services) entering force on 1 July 2026. This overhaul introduces lifecycle chemical management, new substance registration, revised control lists, import declaration enhancements, and expanded obligations on hazardous chemicals in products, all of which affect chemical management, workplace health and safety, and broader environmental compliance.
Indonesia
Indonesia advanced its regulatory framework in Q2 2026 through stricter environmental, industrial, and workplace health and safety compliance mechanisms. Key environmental actions included Minister of Environment Regulation No. 5/2026 to standardize regional air protection zones, Regulation No. 7/2026 mandating updated greenhouse gas inventory reporting across the marine and energy sectors, and Minister of Industry Regulation No. 2/2026 updating detailed RKL-RPL monitoring requirements for industrial parks. On the labor front, Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 7/2026 strictly restricted outsourcing safety obligations to non-core support operations, Permenkes No. 5/2026 consolidated occupational healthcare supply standards, and Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 11/2026 overhauled workplace safety enforcement by integrating the online SIAPkerja portal and granting inspectors immediate powers to seal non-compliant equipment, reflecting rapid momentum in broad compliance governance.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong progressed pesticide regulation in Q2 2026 through an amendment to Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Pesticides Ordinance (Cap. 133), which took effect on 17 April 2026. The change added two more pesticides to the list regulated under the Rotterdam Convention, reinforcing the territory’s broader regulatory focus on environmental protection and chemical oversight.
Australia
The Australian Government progressed major reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, with the second tranche of reforms commencing on 1 July 2026 and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) established as Australia’s new national environmental regulator.
New Zealand
New Zealand advanced its climate and environmental reform agenda in Q2 2026. The Ministry for the Environment opened consultation on proposed updates to the NZ ETS unit settings and regulations, running from 12 June to 12 July 2026, with any approved changes due to be published by 30 September 2026 and take effect from 1 January 2027. The government also introduced a bill to Parliament proposing changes to the Climate Change Response Act, including a shift to biennial ETS settings reviews.
Stay Ahead of Regulatory Change
SimplyEHS helps organisations stay on top of regulatory change through expertly maintained EHS legal registers that are reviewed and updated to reflect evolving legislation across the region.
Whether you manage operations in one country or across multiple jurisdictions, having access to accurate, up-to-date regulatory information supports stronger compliance management and more informed decision-making.
Explore our EHS Legal Registers to learn how SimplyEHS helps organisations stay informed and audit-ready.
