International Approvals Updates – July 2026

Global regulatory developments continue impacting certification, compliance, and market access requirements worldwide. This month’s International Approvals update highlights key regulatory changes affecting product approvals and market access across multiple regions.

View Full July 2026 International Approvals PDF

In This Issue

China: MIIT Releases “Compliance Management Catalog (2026 Edition)” for RoHS in Electrical and Electronic Products

中国：中国工信部发布《电器电子产品有害物质限制使用达标管理目录（2026 年版）》及例外清单

Subject: China Updates RoHS Compliance Catalog & Exception List (Effective August 1, 2027 for New Categories)

Released Date: May 28, 2026

Official Issuer: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), P.R. China

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), in collaboration with seven other departments including the NDRC and Ministry of Ecology and Environment, has officially released the “Compliance Management Catalog for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edition)” and the “Exception List (2026 Edition).” This update aims to align with international environmental conventions, promote green consumption, and expand regulatory coverage to emerging smart devices and household appliances.

Key Highlights:

Catalog Expansion: The original 12 product categories have been optimized into 10, and 23 new product categories have been added.
New Product Coverage: The expansion targets three areas: household appliances (e.g., air purifiers, dishwashers, robot vacuums), emerging IT devices (e.g., servers, smart speakers, TWS earphones, power banks), and health-related electronics (e.g., electronic blood pressure monitors, hearing aids).
Strict Substance Limits: Products within the catalog must strictly limit 10 hazardous substances (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, PBBs, PBDEs, and 4 types of Phthalates) in accordance with mandatory national standard GB 26572.
Exception List Update: The “Exception List (2026 Edition)” has been revised to include 5 major categories totaling 56 specific exemptions, referencing international standards like the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Compliance Assessment: Manufacturers must conduct compliance assessments via voluntary certification or self-declaration and upload results to the national public service platform (chinarohs.miit.gov.cn).

Implementation Plan:

Immediate Effect (Upon Release): Applies to the original products from the first batch of the compliance catalog. The new “Exception List (2026 Edition)” takes effect immediately.
August 1, 2027 (Mandatory for New Categories): The expanded scope for original products takes effect. The 23 newly added product categories become subject to mandatory compliance management.

Official Reference:
MIIT Announcement
MIIT Reference

Hong Kong: EMSD Clarifies Regulatory Scope for Home Appliances via Cross-Border E-commerce

中国香港：机电工程署明确跨境电商家用电器监管范围（2026 年 6 月）

Subject: Hong Kong Clarifies Safety Regulations for Cross-Border E-commerce Appliances, Monitors Singapore’s New Consumer Penalties

Released Date: June 10, 2026

Official Issuer: Environmental and Ecology Bureau (EEB) / Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), HKSAR Government

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has officially clarified the regulatory scope for home appliances purchased via cross-border e-commerce platforms. In a written reply to the Legislative Council on June 10, 2026, the Environmental and Ecology Bureau confirmed that appliances imported for personal use are currently exempt from local supply regulations. Meanwhile, authorities are closely monitoring Singapore’s upcoming legislation to evaluate potential future regulatory adjustments.

Key Highlights:

Personal Use Exemption: Individuals purchasing home appliances via cross-border e-commerce or carrying them across the border for personal use are not legally considered as “supplying” the products in Hong Kong.
Platform Liability Clarification: Cross-border e-commerce platforms that merely provide price comparison or buyer-seller matching services, with third-party logistics handling transportation, are not classified as suppliers or sellers under current regulations.
Safety Record: In the first four months of 2026, there were 22 recorded electrical accidents involving home appliances. Preliminary investigations found no incidents linked to products supplied via cross-border e-commerce.
Monitoring Singapore’s Policy: Singapore’s Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, effective July 2026, will impose fines on individual consumers importing non-compliant appliances regardless of personal use.

Implementation Plan & Platform Compliance:

Regulatory Communication: The EMSD and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have established regular communication mechanisms with cross-border e-commerce platforms.
Recycling Levy Enforcement: Platforms involved in distributing or selling “Controlled Electrical Appliances” must register as suppliers/sellers, submit quarterly declarations, pay recycling levies, and provide statutory free collection services.
Source Interception Mechanism: Since 2019, the EMSD has collaborated with China’s General Administration of Customs via a joint working group.

Official Reference:
Hong Kong Government Reference

Australia: Communications Alliance Updated Standards: AS/CA S042.1:2025, S042.4:2025 & S042.5:2025

澳大利亚：澳大利亚通信联盟发布 AS/CA S042 系列 2025 版标准（2025 年 6 月 30 日发布）

Australia’s Communications Alliance published updated AS/CA S042 cellular customer equipment standards on 30 June 2025. The updated standards supersede the 2022 versions and relate to equipment connecting to Australian mobile/public telecommunications networks.

Key updates in the 2025 versions

Emergency Cell Broadcast / National Messaging System (NMS) requirements were incorporated into the updated S042 framework.
Australia’s 3G network shutdown.
AS/CA S042.4:2025 and AS/CA S042.5:2025 add technical requirements for LTE B26/B255/B256 and 5G NR n26 bands; B255/B256 are associated with IoT NTN services, while B26/n26 requirements are linked to FCC-based rules.
The 2025 standards have a 12-month transition period, during which equipment may be tested or assessed against either the 2022 or 2025 versions.
From 30 June 2026, relevant equipment imported into Australia for the first time must comply with the S042:2025 series requirements.

Updated Safety Standard AS/NZS 62368.1:2026

The updated AS/NZS 62368.1:2026 is a joint Australia/New Zealand safety standard for audio/video, information and communication technology equipment. It adopts IEC 62368-1:2023 Edition 4.0 with Australian and New Zealand national variations.

This standard was published on 6 March 2026 and supersedes AS/NZS 62368.1:2022, with the 2022 version remaining current for a transition period until 6 March 2029 according to industry regulatory updates.

Peru MTC June 4 Draft Decree: Optimize Base Station Radiation Supervision to Speed Up Telecom Infrastructure Construction

秘鲁：MTC 6 月 4 日发布法令草案：优化基站辐射监管，提速通信基础设施建设

Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) released a draft supreme decree on June 4, 2026, amending the non-ionizing radiation supervision provisions of DS N°019-2019-MTC, which will formally take effect in mid-July 2026.

The core adjustment targets radio communication base stations:

Cancel the mandatory pre-installation non-ionizing radiation test filing requirement for all new radio base stations, cutting operating costs and administrative lead times for telecom operators.
The national public electromagnetic radiation safety limit standards remain unchanged. MTC will switch to unannounced on-site random inspections of built base stations to guarantee compliance.
The reform aims to reduce administrative barriers, accelerate the rollout of 5G and rural communication networks, and narrow the digital divide across Peru.
A 15-day public comment period is open for stakeholders to submit feedback on the draft decree via official MTC channels.

Official Source
Peru MTC Official Source

Colombia ANE Resolución 0028/2026: 900MHz & IMT Spectrum Framework Update

哥伦比亚：哥伦比亚国家频谱局 ANE 第 000028 号决议：900MHz 与移动通信国际频段频谱框架更新

Colombia’s National Spectrum Agency ANE issued Resolución 000028 on Jan 26, 2026, fully effective April 1, 2026 for new CRC homologation applications.

Revised national frequency table CNABF: Replan 900MHz band (uplink 896–915MHz, downlink 941–960MHz), cancel exclusive IMT reservation, allow low-power IoT & fixed wireless devices.
Updated test items for 700MHz, 2.6GHz, 3.5GHz 5G equipment; new interference coexistence tests mandatory for gateways & cellular modules.
Optimize spectrum efficiency to expand connectivity in remote rural areas.

Official Source
Colombia Spectrum Update

Indonesia Updates SAR Requirements for Mobile Phones and Tablets (2026)

印度尼西亚：印度尼西亚更新手机与平板电脑 SAR 管控要求（2026 版）

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has officially issued Ministerial Decree No. 197 of 2026, which introduces the latest specifications on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits for telecommunication devices including mobile phones and tablet computers. This new regulation takes effect on April 22, 2026, superseding the relevant regulatory framework stipulated in Ministerial Decree No. 177 of 2024.

The revision of this regulation aims to streamline the testing and certification procedures for mobile phones and tablets, and ensure that such products comply with international safety standards concerning human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

One major update is that tablets not designed for ear-to-ear voice calls are exempt from head SAR testing; however, manufacturers must submit a compliance statement and supporting technical documents to qualify for this exemption.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the new regulation, a transitional buffer mechanism is established: if domestic Indonesian testing laboratories are temporarily unable to issue a full SAR test report, applicants may apply for certificates in advance with supporting certification documents issued by such laboratories. This interim policy shall remain valid until July 31, 2027.

If a device fails its initial SAR test, only one retest shall be permitted. Samples used for retesting must be randomly purchased from the market to guarantee the impartiality of testing.

Singapore: IMDA and Microsoft Commit to Advancing AI Safety and Security

新加坡：新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局（IMDA）与微软携手，共同推进人工智能安全与防护建设

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Microsoft Corporation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen collaboration on artificial intelligence safety and security. The partnership reflects both organisations’ commitment to ensuring that AI development remains safe, secure, and trustworthy. The MOU was signed by Kiren Kumar, Deputy Chief Executive, IMDA and Natasha Crampton, Chief Responsible AI Officer, Microsoft.

Under the MOU, IMDA and Microsoft will work together across three key areas.

Technical and research collaborations on AI safety and security
Facilitate information sharing on AI safety and security
Develop a policy framework for trusted access to frontier AI models

Vietnam: The Official Implementation of Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN

越南：第 14/2026/TT-BKHCN 号通告正式实施

With the official implementation of Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN, Vietnam will fully roll out a brand-new risk-classified product supervision framework starting 1 July, 2026. This circular repeals multiple outdated circulars including No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN, No. 02/2017/TT-BKHCN and No. 04/2025/TT-BKHCN, and removes relevant provisions specified in Circulars No. 06/2020 and No. 07/2024. It standardizes the voluntary standard conformity declaration (Công bố hợp chuẩn), mandatory technical regulation conformity declaration (Công bố hợp quy / CR marking), as well as eight categories of product conformity assessment certification modules, establishing a brand-new supervision system based on product risk classification.

Core Reform Highlights of Circular No.14/2026/TT-BKHCN

Adopt a brand-new risk classification supervision logic.
Harmonize conformity assessment rules with international standards.
Extend certificate validity to reduce repetitive compliance work.
Add provisions for electronic CR marking.
Separate voluntary and mandatory compliance filing mechanisms.
Digitize the whole filing process.
Introduce compliance incentives for certified quality management systems.
Strengthen safety oversight of high-risk imported goods.

Saudi Arabia: New Labeling Requirement – Importer CR Information (Effective Oct 2026)

沙特阿拉伯：标签新规 – 引入进口商 CR 信息要求（2026 年 10 月生效）

Saudi Arabia’s SASO has introduced a new labeling requirement, mandating inclusion of supplier/importer identification (including CR number) for certain regulated products, effective 1 October 2026.

Key Points:

Applies to selected product categories only (scope is limited)
Labeling must remain Arabic or Arabic + English
Non-compliance may impact SABER certification and customs clearance

Action for Manufacturers:

Verify product scope under SASO regulations
Plan labeling updates ahead of October 2026
Consider including importer CR information proactively

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