On 24 June 2022, China’s National Peoples’ Congress approved far reaching amendments to China’s Anti-Monopoly Law which become effective from 1 August 2022 (“AML Amendments”).
Alongside the AML Amendments, the State Administration for Market Regulation has issued for public comment proposed updates to key implementing rules and regulations concerning cartels and vertical restraints, abuse of dominance, merger control and abuse of IP rights.
Of particular relevance to business operations in China and M&A activity, the AML Amendments include stricter penalties for antitrust violations; increased enforcement powers; revised thresholds for merger control; an express prohibition of hub & spoke arrangements; potential exemptions/defenses for certain vertical restraints including resale price maintenance, and continued scrutiny of the platform economy.
In May 2022, the Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission published a guide to help organisations collect, use or disclose individuals’ biometric data in a responsible manner. With security applications like security cameras and Closed-Circuit Television Cameras becoming increasingly commonplace, there have been more cases of organisations mishandling individuals’ biometric data. The release of this guide serves as a timely reminder for organisations to review their existing measures or implement new measures to ensure that they are dealing with individuals’ biometric data in a responsible manner.
On 9 June 2022, the Health Sciences Authority issued an advisory against the purchase and use of a topical cream for diaper rash following reports of adverse effects in an infant. The product has since been found to contain a potent steroid and a synthetic medicinal ingredient.
The Australian anti-money laundering and countering of terrorist financing regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre has this week updated its guidance on reporting cash transactions above the AUD 10,000 threshold.
The consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (Minuman Berpemanis Dalam Kemasan or MBDK) in Indonesia has risen significantly in the past 20 years, making Indonesia the third highest consumer of MBDK in Southeast Asia in 2020. The high MBDK consumption may have numerous health implications that will significantly impact Indonesia’s health and social and economic development.
To deal with this issue, the Indonesian government has included excise revenue from MBDK in this year’s State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara or APBN).
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled Japan introduces further sanctions against Russia and Belarus on 20 June 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
On May 11, 2022, the Diet of Japan approved the “Act on the promotion of national security through integrated economic measures.” Key features of the Act include the establishment of (i) a system to ensure stable supplies of critical materials, (ii) a system to ensure stable provision of services using critical infrastructure, (iii) a system that supports the development of critical technologies and (iv) a secret patent system. The Act will enter into force on or before 18 February 2023.
The June edition of the China employment law update includes developments such as measures to prevent social insurance fraud being formally implemented, new guidelines being issued on the handling of employment dispute arbitration and litigation, and guidance on employment disputes relating to pandemic control measures.
Sustainability Solution EP.5 – Thai investment agency’s move to promote sustainability” is presented by our Sustainability partner Nam-Ake Lekfuangfu and Corporate lawyers experienced in foreign investment, Chana Sooppipat and Jaywon Li. In this episode our team discusses promotion schemes offered by the Board of Investment of Thailand related to sustainability, covering various industries.
This video is in Thai with English subtitles.
The new Australian Government promises nearly AUD 1 billion in investments to Medicare and general practices as part of a number of policy commitments to healthcare and aged care initiatives.
On 21 May 2022, Australia elected a new federal government, the Australian Labor Party. As part of its campaign, the newly elected Federal Government committed to a number of healthcare and aged care policy initiatives with a strong focus on improving quality and access to primary care.