The Toluene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, has been amended by the Toluene (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2023, which will take effect on December 22, 2024.
ASEAN
The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals plans to enforce Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for following 10 chemicals from February and March 2024.The QCO mandates adherence to quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The Ministry of Environment has announced the change of criteria and techniques for showing the proportion of recycled raw materials in Notice No. 2023-726, asking public comments by January 1, 2024.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has issued (Decision No. 3257/QD-BTNMT) Vietnam Ecolabel criteria for environmentally friendly plastic packaging, primarily composed of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has designated methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, and UV-328 as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law.
The Korean Smoking Cessation Society advocates for increased cigarette prices in South Korea to improve public health and address a significant tax revenue shortfall. However, the current proposal faces opposition.
Kazakhstani lawmakers propose amending regulations to ban domestic tobacco companies from engaging in charitable activities. This provision is planned to be added to Kazakhstan's regulations on citizen health and medical systems.
Pakistan's Punjab province police have announced a ban on selling cigarettes and naswar to minors, with strict penalties for violators.
Vietnam's Minister of Health, Dao Hong Lan, has praised the country's progress in tobacco control policies, stating that the country has achieved significant breakthroughs in the international community.
The Japanese government and ruling party are considering raising the tax on heated tobacco to fund national defense capabilities. The tax on heated tobacco products is currently 10-30% lower than traditional cigarettes in Japan.