November Regulatory Update

Batteries

Malta: Waste Management (Waste Batteries) Regulations L.N. 232/2025

2025-10-24

It entered into force on October 14, 2025. This Regulation Implements EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.

On October 14, 2025, the Minister responsible for the environment, after consultation with the Environment and Resources Authority, has made the regulations Waste Management (Waste Batteries) Regulations, 2025:

In a nutshell:

• Implements provisions of Chapter VIII of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries.

• Regulation 4 – Authorised Representative

• Producers selling batteries to end-users in Malta must appoint an authorised representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR).

• Appointment must be made in writing via a declaration as listed in the Schedule of the regulation.

• Regulation 5 – Registration Fees

• Producers in an authorised producer responsibility organisation (PRO) pay a non-refundable €10 registration fee to the Authority.

• Self-compliant producers pay the fee under Category 1.44 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

• Regulation 7 – Individual Fulfilment of EPR Obligations

• If Article 58 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 requirements are not met, the Authority will notify the producer.

• Such producers must join an authorised PRO for all batteries placed on the Maltese market.

• Regulation 8 – Collection of Waste Batteries

• Waste batteries collected by Local Councils or local agencies must be:

• Deposited at designated facilities, then

• Handed over to authorised PROs.

• Pricing and cost recovery:

• The price reflects total collection and storage costs up to take-over by the PRO.

• Price must be approved by the Minister.

• Cost distribution:

• Distributed among PROs based on the average weight and category of batteries placed on the market over the previous three years, as determined by the Authority.

• Auditing and Reporting Requirements

• Self-compliant producers and PROs must engage an independent auditor approved by the Authority.

• Auditor certifies that reported information complies with Chapter VIII of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.

• Annual and audited reports must be submitted to the Authority within six months of the end of the year.

Electrical Safety

China: New Standards released

Ecuador: Resolution MPCEIP-SC-2025-0225-R of 2025 on Technical Regulation on Valves and Faucets for Households RTE INEN 142 (1R) amended

India: List of Newly Established Standards published

Spain: New European Standards Approved and Ratified as Spanish Standards

2025-10-24

The approved list will enter into force on October 29, 2025. They cover, among others, standards on EMC for radio equipment, semiconductor devices or electric relays.

On October 9, 2025, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism released the Resolution No. 20179 listing European Standards approved and ratified as Spanish Standards in September 2025.

Resolution No. 20179 - European Standards ratified as Spanish Standards:

Among others:

• UNE-EN 301489-5 V2.3.1. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services - Part 5: Specific conditions for private land mobile radio (PMR) and ancillary equipment (voice and non-voice) and terrestrial trunking radio (TETRA). Harmonised standard for electromagnetic compatibility.

• UNE-EN IEC 60068-2-83:2025. Environmental testing. Part 2-83: Tests. TF test: Solderability test of electronic components for surface-mount devices by the wetting balance method using solder paste.

• UNE-EN IEC 60749-34-1:2025. Semiconductor devices. Mechanical and climatic test methods. Part 34-1: Power cycling test for power semiconductor modules.

• UNE-EN IEC 60974-4:2025. Electric arc welding equipment. Part 4: Periodic inspection and testing

• UNE-EN IEC 63522-2:2025.Electrical relays. Tests and measurements. Part 2: Mechanical tests and weighing

• UNE-EN IEC 63522-29:2025. Electrical relays. Testing and measurements. Part 29: Capacity.

• UNE-EN ISO 17971:2025. Textiles. Smart textiles. Test method for fabric interface with capacitive touchscreens (ISO 17971:2025)

Spanish Standards (UNE) Approved:

• UNE-EN 30-2-1:2025 Domestic cooking appliances using gaseous fuels. Part 2-1: Rational use of energy. General.

• UNE-EN 14129:2025 LPG equipment and accessories. Pressure relief valves for LPG pressure vessels.

• UNE-EN 16905-3:2025 Heat pumps driven by endothermic gas engines - Part 3: Test conditions.

• UNE-EN ISO 21922:2022/A1:2025 Refrigeration systems and heat pumps. Valves. Requirements, testing, and marking. Amendment 1. (ISO 21922:2021/Amd 1:2024).

Energy Efficiency

Chile: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Domestic Refrigerators and Freezers updated

Costa Rica: Energy Efficiency of Split-type Air Conditioners - Normative Equivalences of AHRI Standard 210/240-2017 and AHRI Standard 210/240-2024 with RTCA 23.01.78:20 granted

2025-10-24

They entered into force on October 3, 2025. They affect standards on Energy Efficiency for Inverter Split-type Air Conditioners, Free Discharge and No Air Ducts with Variable Refrigerant Flow and Air Conditioners with Variable Refrigerant Flow, Free Discharge, and No Air Ducts.

On October 3, 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica released Resolution No.0026-2025-DE and Resolution No. 0027-2025-DE as:

Resolution No.0026-2025-DE - Inverter Split-type Air Conditioners, Free Discharge and No Air Ducts with Variable Refrigerant Flow:

• The resolution approves the request for the normative equivalence of the AHRI Standard 210/240-2017

• Its associated certificates against the Reglamento Técnico Centroamericano (RTCA) 23.01.78:20.

• Standard Granted Equivalence: AHRI Standard 210/240-2017.

• Certificates Covered: Six specific AHRI Certified Reference Numbers (216011991, 216011992, 217454545, 217454546, 217454547, 217454548).

• Product: Split inverter-type air conditioners with variable refrigerant flow, free discharge, and without air ducts.

• The process for granting equivalence followed the procedure established in Executive Decree No. 44395-MEIC , which involves two stages:

• First Stage (ENN - INTECO): The National Standardization Entity (INTECO) evaluated the specified requirements and test methods. INTECO's Directorate of Normalization, in criterion EQ 82-2025, concluded that the AHRI Standard 210/240-2024 (along with the specific certificate values) "ARE EQUIVALENT" to the RTCA 23.01.78:20.
• Second Stage (ANC - MINAE): The National Competent Authority (MINAE), through its Directorate of Energy (in report DE-0214-2025), adopted the technical analysis and evaluated the procedure for conformity assessment, recommending approval of the equivalence.

• The equivalence is granted with the following conditions:

• The equivalence has an indefinite duration starting from the publication of its notice in the official newspaper, La Gaceta.

• Conditions for Invalidity/Expiration: The equivalence expires or is invalidated if:

• The values of the analyzed certificates are updated, expired, or modified.
• The subject normative documents (AHRI Standard 210/240-2017) are updated.
• It is identified that the products are certified with a different normative document than those declared.
• There are modifications, derogations, or annulments to the technical provisions of the original normative document.

Resolution No.0027-2025-DE - Inverter Split-type Air Conditioners with Variable Refrigerant Flow, Free Discharge, and No Air Ducts:

• The National Competent Authority (ANC), approves the request from Consorcio HFH de Ingeniería S.A..

• Equivalency Granted: The document/standard "AHRI Standard 210/240-2024, 'Performance Rating of Unitary AirConditioning & Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment'" is granted normative equivalency for the specific certificate: AHRI Certified Reference Number: AHRI 215578541.
• Contrasted Normative (Costa Rican/Central American): The equivalency is with the Reglamento Técnico Centroamericano RTCA 23.01.78:20 "Productos Eléctricos. Acondicionadores de Aire Tipo Dividido Inverter, con Flujo de Refrigerante Variable Descarga libre y sin ductos de aire. Especificaciones de Eficiencia Energética" (Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 23.01.78:20 for electrical products, specifically energy efficiency specifications for inverter-type split air conditioners).

• The equivalency process follows the two-stage procedure established by the Executive Decree No. 44395-MEIC:

• First Stage (Technical Requirements): Completed before the National Standardization Entity (ENN), which is the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologías de la Comunicación (INTECO).
- • INTECO's Directorate of Standardization issued the equivalence criterion EQ 114-2024, which concluded that the AHRI Standard 210/240-2017 (along with specific AHRI certificates) is "EQUIVALENT" to the RTCA 23.01.78:20. This stage evaluated the specified requirements and test methods.
• Second Stage (Conformity Assessment Procedure): Completed before the National Competent Authority (ANC), which is MINAE’s Dirección de Energía.
- • The Dirección de Energía issued a technical report (DE-0225-2025), which accepted and approved the equivalency application based on the technical analysis in EQ 114-2024. This stage evaluated the conformity assessment procedure.

Ecuador: Technical Regulation on Energy Efficiency of Ductless Air Conditioners RTE INEN 072 amended

2025-10-24

It entered into force on October 15, 2025. It extends for six more months the validity of RTE 072 (2R) “Energy Efficiency for Ductless Air Conditioners", which will end on April 29, 2026.

On October 15, 2024, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries (MPCEIP) issued Resolution Nro. MPCEI-SC-2025-0276-R.

It extends the validity of the Emergency Ecuadorian Technical Regulation RTE 072 (2R), titled Energy efficiency for ductless air conditioners, for a period of six (6) months. This extension is effective starting October 29, 2025 and ends April 29, 2026.

The extension is based on a technical recommendation from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE) to ensure the correct implementation of new technical guidelines for the upcoming third revision (RTE INEN 072 (3R)) without causing difficulties in importation processes while the new regulation is being formalized.

The main reasons for the delay in finalizing the third revision and the need for a six-month extension include:

• The joint decision made to adopt the ISO 16358 standard (Air-cooled air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps: test and calculation methods for seasonal performance factors) as the basis for the RTE 072 (3R), replacing the previously used European norms (EN 14825 and EN 14511).

• This change in the base standard was considered a "solution balanced and robust" with international recognition, as it offers a more accurate evaluation of energy consumption for modern inverter technology by considering seasonal performance factors (CSPF and HSPF) and real climatic variations. However, this adjustment in the base standard dilated the timeline of the planned activities, requiring additional technical review and definition of new criteria.

• As of the report date, the final elaboration and validation of the third revision proposal, the Regulatory Impact Analysis (AIR), national and international public consultations, and the subsequent officialization process were still pending.

Mexico: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Central, Packaged or Split Type Air Conditioners, Standard NOM-011-ENER-2025 published

2025-10-28

It entered into force on October 26, 2025, and repealed NOM-011-ENER-2006.

On April 29, 2025, the Mexican Ministry of Energy, through the Mexican National Consultative Committee of Standards for the Preservation and Rational Use of Energy Resources (CCNNPURRE), published NOM-011-ENER-2025 on Energy efficiency for Central, Packaged or Split Type Air Conditioners. Limits, Test Methods and Labelling.

It aims to improve the energy efficiency of central air conditioners by setting specific limits, testing methods, and labelling requirements.

It applies to central, packaged or split-type air conditioners with a duct system, with nominal cooling capacities ranging from 5,275 W to 19,050 W, which are imported, manufactured or marketed in Mexico.

The following products are excluded from the scope of this Standard:

• Split-type air conditioners with free discharge and without air ducts (known as minisplit and multisplit, which operate with a single-speed compressor (fixed capacity) or a variable frequency compressor (inverter);

• precision equipment;

• equipment established in another Mexican Official Standard regarding energy efficiency.

The Standard establishes:

• The minimum level of Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (REEE) that air conditioners must meet (Section 6);

• Conformity assessment procedures and test methods to verify compliance; and

• labelling requirements (Section 10).

Products must display an energy efficiency label ( available below), including the information listed in Section 10.3 and Figure A.10, such as:

• Legends "Energy Efficiency" and "NOM-011-ENER-2025";

• Brand and model;

• Cooling capacity and electrical power in W;

• Refrigerant used;

• Seasonal energy efficiency ratio;

• Electrical energy pictogram.

Conformity assessment requirements are outlined in Section 12. Conformity assessment must be carried out by testing laboratories and product certification bodies accredited in accordance with the Quality Infrastructure Law and its Regulations.

Taiwan: Order on Inspection of Refrigerators Pursuant to Revised Energy Efficiency Requirements published

2025-10-24

It was published on October 8, 2025. It explains how the revised Energy Efficiency Requirements will affect the approval and registration of product certification of refrigerators. Such requirements were issued on May 19, 2025, and will enter into force on January 1, 2027.

This document is an Order and an Explanatory Letter from the Taiwanese Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), regarding the revised energy efficiency requirements of refrigerators and associated inspection matters.

CNS 2062 is the applicable inspection standard for refrigerators (with a rated voltage of 250V or less and an effective internal capacity of 700 litres or less) that are subject to mandatory inspection. Section 5.10 thereof provides that the energy efficiency of refrigerators must comply with the relevant regulation of the Energy Committee (now Energy Administration of the MOEA. The latest regulation is the revised Requirements on Minimum Energy Performance Standard, Energy Efficiency Rating Labelling and Inspection for Refrigerators, issued on May 19, 2025, through MOEA Announcement No. 11458002070. The revision will take effect from January 1, 2027. Therefore, the revised energy efficiency requirements shall apply to Section 5.10 of CNS 2062 starting from January 1, 2027.

The document outlines how this change affects the Type Approval and Registration of Product Certification of refrigerators.

For Currently Certified Products:

• Non-Compliant Products: If a currently certified product does not meet the new MEPS, the certificate holder must apply to the BSMI for a replacement certificate by December 31, 2026. This requires submitting a type test report that confirms compliance with the new standard. The validity period of the new certificate will remain unchanged.

• Compliant Products: If a currently certified product already meets the new MEPS, no application for a replacement certificate is necessary.

• Certificate Extension:

• Applications for extension submitted before December 31, 2026, using test reports based on the old MEPS, will have their certificate validity extended until December 31, 2026 only.
• Applications for extension submitted from the date of this Oder's issuance using test reports based on the new MEPS will have their certificate validity extended for 3 years from the day after the current certificate expires.

• Non-Compliance After Deadline: Starting January 1, 2027, any product that does not meet the new MEPS will be subject to the revocation of its Type Approval or Registration of Product Certification.

For New Applicants:

• Applications Before 2027:

• Applications submitted before December 31, 2026, using test reports based on the old MEPS, will have their certificate validity granted until December 31, 2026 only.
• Applications submitted from the date of this Order's issuance using test reports based on the new MEPS will have a standard certificate validity of 3 years from the registration date.

• Applications After 2027: Starting January 1, 2027, all new applications must provide a type test report that confirms compliance with the new MEPS.

Machinery

Switzerland: Technical Standards for Machinery supporting Directive 2006/42/EC designated

Telecommunications

Brazil: ANATEL Act 14158/2025 amending Act 14448/2017 on Telecommunications Equipment with Restricted Radiation published

EU: Updated list of EU RED Harmonized Standards published

Estonia: Regulation for Radio Frequency Allocation Plan amended

Luxembourg: New Lists of European Standards for the Telecommunications and Electrotechnical Fields published

2025-10-24

They entered into force on October 19, 2025. They affect, among others, Mobile Communication On Board Aircraft (MCOBA) systems, Commercial Coffee Machines or Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear.

On October 14, 2025, the list was adopted by the Luxembourgish Standards Body expanding the list of standards applicable in the telecommunication and Electrotechnical field. inclusion of:

Telecom:

• ILNAS-EN 302 480 V3.1.1 Mobile Communication On Board Aircraft (MCOBA) systems; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum

• ILNAS-EN 303 851 V1.1.1 Radio Frequency Identification; Equipment operating in the band 2446 MHz to 2454 MHz with power levels up to a maximum of 500 mW eirp and up to a maximum of 4 W eirp; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum.

Standard List for Electrotechnical Field:

• ILNAS-EN 50730:2025 Professional and Commercial Coffee Machines - Methods for Measuring Energy Consumption and Productivity

• ILNAS-EN 60204-1:2018/A1:2025 Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 1: General requirements

• ILNAS-EN 62554:2011/A2:2025 Sample preparation for measuring mercury levels in fluorescent lamps and low-pressure mercury UV radiation sources

• ILNAS-EN IEC 60255-26:2025 Measuring relays and protective devices - Part 26: Electromagnetic compatibility requirements

• ILNAS-EN IEC 60255-27:2025 Measuring relays and protective devices - Part 27: Product safety requirements

• ILNAS-EN IEC 60601-2-68:2025 Medical electrical equipment - Part 2-68: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of medical image-assisted X-ray therapy equipment for use with electron accelerators, light ion beam therapy equipment and radionuclide beam therapy equipment

• ILNAS-EN IEC 60947-5-1:2025 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 5-1: Control circuit devices and switching elements - Electromechanical control circuit devices

• LNAS-EN IEC 60974-1:2022/A13:2025 Arc Welding Equipment - Part 1: Welding Power Sources

• ILNAS-EN IEC 61000-4-2:2025 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test

• LNAS-EN IEC 62868-2-4:2025 Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) light sources for general lighting - Safety - Part 2-4: Particular requirements - Rigid OLED panels and slabs

• ILNAS-EN IEC 62902:2025 Accumulator batteries - Marking symbols for the identification of their chemical characteristics

• ILNAS-EN IEC 63203-204-2:2025 Wearable electronic technologies and devices - Part 204-2: Electronic textiles - Test method for characterizing the variation of electrical resistance during knee and elbow bending testing of electronic textiles

Thailand: New Industrial Standard TIS 21823 Volume 4 - 2024 on Interoperability of Internet of Things (IOT) established

Thailand: Radiocommunication Equipment and Radiocommunication Stations that are Exempted from Obtaining a License amended

UK: The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025 published

USA: FCC Announces Second Batch of Denied Approvals of “Bad Labs” Controlled By China

USA: FCC Suspends Operations due to U.S. Government Shutdown

Other news

41 WTO countries demand significant changes to GLOBAC documents

2025-10-20

DAkkS (German Accreditation Body) sees successful negotiations. For DAkkS, it is essential that all contradictions with European law be eliminated without exception.

On September 12, 2025, the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS), together with 40 other EA (European cooperation for Accreditation) members, identified the need for changes to the statutes and other documents of GLOBAC at the General Assembly of the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).

In addition to all EU member states, this also includes countries such as Turkey, Israel, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Therefore, there is a broad consensus among a significant number of WTO member states on the need for change.

In its resolution (see link below), EA announced that it would decide on a possible withdrawal from GLOBAC if the demands were not met by GLOBAC.

The decision refers to the various legal opinions obtained by DAkkS, the Dutch accreditation body Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA) and EA. The decision also lists a number of shortcomings from the more than 100 pages of legal analyses. For DAkkS, it is essential that all contradictions with European law be eliminated without exception.

DAkkS calls for the postponement of the dissolution of ILAC.

The functions of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) are to be transferred to GLOBAC as early as October.

Due to the many unresolved issues surrounding GLOBAC, DAkkS believes that it is no longer realistic to expect GLOBAC to be able to fully replace the functions of ILAC and IAF by October 2025, i.e. in the remaining three to four weeks.

In particular, the following key issues have not yet been resolved:

• Trademark protection for the GLOBAC brand has not been finalised and announced

• No marketing measures have been taken to promote the new brand

• No funding has been provided to cover the costs of promoting the brand

• No conclusive financing concept from GLOBAC for non-profit organisations

• No concept for transferring the IAF and ILAC brands to GLOBAC

• Legal deficiencies in the GLOBAC documents prevent 41 countries from joining or remaining in GLOBAC

DAkkS will therefore propose at the upcoming joint general meeting of ILAC and IAF that the launch of GLOBAC and the dissolution of ILAC be postponed by one year.

Saudi Arabia: DEKRA issued the first CoC-CST to the customer Shangyu Zhitu