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Product Regulation & Liability

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On 4 November 2021, the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO) issued two draft agreements relating to electronic commerce: the guidelines on the Ethical Code on Electronic Commerce (“Code of Ethics”) and the guidelines on the launch of the so-called “Distintivo Digital PROFECO”. The Code of Ethics seeks to establish a set of values and principles for online service providers to protect rights of consumers, promote a culture of responsible consumption, and protect human rights and vulnerable populations. The Distintivo Digital PROFECO, on the other hand, will act as a seal of confidence, with official recognition. Endorsed by PROFECO, it will be granted to online providers that, under PROFECO criteria, fully comply with consumer protection rules and the Code of Ethics.

On 26 February 2021, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it is introducing a new voluntary listing of direct telemedicine service providers, to assist patients with making informed choices when selecting telemedicine service providers. According to the MOH, this scheme will be an interim measure to promote patient safety and welfare in the provision of telemedicine services, pending the upcoming regulation of telemedicine services under the new soon-to-be-implemented Healthcare Services Act.

On 26 February 2021, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it is introducing a new voluntary listing of direct telemedicine service providers, to assist patients with making informed choices when selecting telemedicine service providers. According to the MOH, this scheme will be an interim measure to promote patient safety and welfare in the provision of telemedicine services, pending the upcoming regulation of telemedicine services under the new soon-to-be-implemented Healthcare Services Act.

The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) replicates the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on a bilateral basis. The Canada-UK TCA (signed December 2020) came into force from 1 January 2021 and aims to maintain the status quo in the trade relationship. 

Following four and a half years of often acrimonious negotiations and numerous build ups to a no-deal situation, the EU-UK TCA represents a positive step. While the deal is relatively thin and offers only discrete regulatory reciprocity, overall the TCA is a welcome development in the face of apparent near- political failure to agree on a way forward between the two sides. The life sciences sector has been preparing for no-deal amidst the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, throughout 2020, and having a deal, however slim, is positive for the sector in providing more fertile political ground for future harmonisation and cooperation