In conjunction with the presidential election on 1 September 2023, the Elections Department (ELD) has updated its “Advisory Guidelines on the Application of the Personal Data Protection Act to Election Activities” on 28 July 2023.
Separately, on 31 July 2023, the ELD issued an advisory to candidates and political parties on potential cyberthreats and the corresponding preventive measures.
On 16 August 2023, the Health Sciences Authority issued two retail-level recalls for batches of Apo-Amitriptyline and Apo-Acyclovir tablets. The recalls were initiated after impurities at levels above acceptable standards were detected.
On 26 July 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 for healthcare. The ITM 2025 refreshes the ITM for healthcare, which was first launched in 2017.
ITM 2025 focuses on four main areas: (i) strengthening Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem; (ii) strengthening digital system enablers; (iii) attracting and retaining healthcare workers; and (iv) strengthening partnerships.
Earlier this year, the Tripartite Committee released an interim report outlining its 20 recommendations for the proposed Workplace Fairness Legislation.
On 4 August 2023, the committee published its final report setting out its final set of 22 recommendations, following consultation and engagement with various stakeholders including employers, human resources and legal professionals, trade associations and chambers, union leaders, and various community organizations. The Singapore Government has accepted the final recommendations and will work closely with the Tripartite Partners to implement the recommendations in law in 2024.
On 15 August 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced the features of a new regulatory framework for single-currency stablecoins (SCS) that are issued in Singapore and pegged to the Singapore dollar or Group of Ten currencies. The framework takes into account the feedback that the MAS received following a public consultation paper published in October 2022, and the MAS has issued response to feedback on the same.
On 31 July 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) published a Consultation Paper setting out a proposed regulatory framework for Single Family Offices (SFOs) in Singapore. The new measures under this proposed framework allows MAS to enhance its surveillance and defense against money laundering risks within the SFO sector.
On 13 July 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) issued several notices to retailers and online sellers of products for children on the safety hazards posed by magnetic ball toys, water beads and electric toys containing button batteries that are improperly secured.
The CPSO stated that these products must not be supplied or sold if marketed directly or indirectly as a toy for children under 14 years old. Where consumers are reasonably able to infer that the product is a toy from the packaging, the packaging must clearly state that the product is not suitable for children below 14 years old, with at least one such statement in English.
Phase 2 of the voluntary notification for health supplements and traditional medicines will commence on 1 August 2023. The scope of the present voluntary notification for health supplements and traditional medicines will be expanded to cover more types of health supplements and traditional medicines.
On 17 July 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) proposed the new regulation for active ingredients under the Health Products Act.
Against the increasing complexity in the manufacturing and supply chain of active ingredients, streamlined and risk-based regulatory controls will ensure that active ingredients consistently meet appropriate quality standards. The HSA has therefore seen the need to consolidate and enhance regulatory controls for active ingredients under the Health Products Act.
On 27 July 2023, the Ministry of Health announced the rebranding of Singapore’s health tech agency, formerly known as the Integrated Health Information Systems to Synapxe.
The Ministry of Health also outlined five key priorities of Synapxe, namely: (i) national repository for patients’ medical records; (ii) system for remote healthcare; (iii) national billing system; (iv) strong cyber and data security; and (v) looking into the future and exploring possibilities, such as generative artificial intelligence.