On 20 October 2023, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Health Sciences Authority and national health technology agency, Synapxe, launched the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme for Medical Devices sandbox. Medical device manufacturers are invited to participate in the sandbox to gain a first-mover advantage in enhancing the security of their products.
On 29 September 2023, the Health Sciences Authority rolled out a one-year transition plan for companies to fully comply with the requirement for chemical drug substance manufacturers to provide Evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice Compliance. The HSA also provided clarity over the types of evidence that companies can submit as proof of GMP compliance.
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority have unveiled the Intangibles Disclosure Framework, a new framework to disclose and communicate the value of intangible assets, as part of the Singapore IP Strategy 2030.
On 31 July 2023, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office published the fourth annual update on the government’s personal data protection efforts, detailing the government’s measures to strengthen the public sector data security regime between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.
On 6 September 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued an update on products found and reported by overseas regulators to contain potent ingredients that are prohibited and may cause side effects.
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.