The Thai Ministry of Public Health issued the ministerial regulation on the application for and the issuance of the license for the manufacturing, import, export, sale or possession of cannabis.
On 11 October 2021, the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCCS) issued a press release announcing that it had successfully obtained a Court order against a sole proprietor trading under the business name “Fire Safety & Prevention (SG)” for engaging in a series of unfair trade practices.
On 26 November 2021, the Consumers Association of Singapore launched the Standard Dispute Management Framework for E-marketplaces (“Framework”). The Framework serves as a guide for E-marketplaces on how to resolve consumer disputes speedily and fairly, and which would give greater assurance to consumers when they shop online.
“In the spirit” of simplifying Indonesian regulatory frameworks, the Minister of Trade (MOT) recently issued MOT Regulation No. 18 of 2021 on Goods Prohibited from Being Imported and Exported to further implement Government Regulation No. 29 of 2021 on the Organization of the Trade Sector.
On 25 November 2021, the United Nations announced that all 193 member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including Singapore, adopted a first-of-its-kind global agreement on the ethics of artificial intelligence. The agreement focuses on the broader ethical implications of AI systems in relation to education, science, culture, communication and information; and articulates common values and principles to assist in the creation of legal infrastructure for the healthy development of AI.
On 9 December 2021, Singapore and the UK substantially concluded negotiations on the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (UKSDEA). The UKSDEA covers key areas of the digital economy, such as data, artificial intelligence, fintech, digital identities and legal technology.
On 22 November 2021, the Ministry of Justice published the latest version of the Draft Decree amending Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP1 on the management, provision and use of internet services and online information submitted for its final legal assessment. There is no exact deadline for this round of consultation.
Subsequent to our client alert issued in November 2021 in relation to cloud service regulation in Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has since shed light on the scope of the licensing regime and the availability of a grace period until 31 March 2022 to those affected to fully comply with the new licensing requirement.
Healthtech gained tremendous attention during the past year or so as a result of the pandemic-driven lockdowns and restrictive circumstances. As we discussed in the past, government agencies around the world had invariably leveraged technology to support healthcare delivery and services over the years, and these efforts have accelerated in response to the pandemic. In the case of Thailand, based on its 10 year national health security plan, the Ministry of Public Health has progressed and implemented its policy by working with relevant government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Medical Council of Thailand, the Pharmacy Council and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to develop and issue guidelines for telehealth services.
On 15 December 2021, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat. Its main aim is to establish a tribunal for the hearing of sexual harassment complaints and claims.