What’s Trending In Compliance In February 2025

This blog was originally posted on 24th February, 2025. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

At Compliance & Risks we help manufacturers, retailers and their supply chain partners to monitor and manage global regulations via C2P, our compliance knowledge management platform.

We break down some of the top compliance trends in February 2025 that are generating the most interest globally this month.

1. EU: Commission Guidelines to Facilitate the Harmonized Application of Provisions on the Removability and Replaceability of Portable Batteries and LMT Batteries in Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Commission Notice C/2025/214

On 10 January 2025, the EU Commission published guidelines to facilitate the harmonized application of provisions on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries and LMT batteries in Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The guidelines aim to harmonize the application of removability and replaceability provisions for portable and light means of transport (LMT) batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The regulation applies to products incorporating such batteries placed on the EU market. Article 11 outlines the removability and replaceability obligations for these batteries, with requirements effective from 18 February 2027.

Some of the obligations include the following: 

• Portable batteries must be removable and replaceable by end-users without professional tools, except for certain categories
• LMT batteries must be removable and replaceable by independent professionals, including individual battery cells
• Batteries should be removable using basic or commercially available tools
• Proprietary tools or specialized tools must be provided free of charge if required
• Portable and LMT batteries must remain available as spare parts for at least five years after a product is last placed on the market
• Replacement must be offered at reasonable and non-discriminatory prices

2. EU: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Frequently Asked Questions, September 2024

The UK Department of Business and Trade issued a guidance, published on 3 February 2025, on using harmonized standards for placing CE marked products in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

Harmonized standards are European standards that help businesses demonstrate compliance with EU product legislation. They are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and support CE marking, which is required for many products in the EU.

CE marked products that comply with harmonized standards can still be sold in the GB. However, using a harmonized standard does not automatically mean the product conforms to UK product regulations (as they apply in Great Britain).

The UK has developed its own list of GB designated standards, which replace EU harmonized standards for UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking. Only UKCA marked products that have followed GB designated standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the UK regulations. For further information on GB designated standards, you may refer to this guidance.

If a harmonized standard is identical to a GB designated standard, manufacturers can use it to demonstrate compliance when placing products on the GB market.

Where there is no GB designated standard or part of a GB designated standard is restricted so it does not exactly match the harmonized standard used, a stricter conformity assessment procedure applies, and manufacturers are required to comply with additional requirements.

Additional requirements, in the form of a stricter conformity assessment procedure, apply to the following UK product regulations: 

• Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016/1107
• Explosives Regulations 2014/1638 
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597 
• Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206 

Please note that for certain product categories, the UK continues to accept CE marked products under existing legislation. 

3. India: Applicants for Grant of License under Compulsory Registration Scheme, Guidance Document, January 2025

This document, published on 15 January 2025, provides guidance for applicants seeking a license under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) under BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations of 2018. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is operating the CRS under the said 2018 Regulations. 

The Bureau grants a license to a manufacturer on the basis of a self-declaration of conformity of a product via the application submitted to the Bureau. BIS has issued several guidance documents regarding the operation of licenses under the CRS and regularly publishes circulars which keep the applicants informed on any updates. This Advisory will also assist applicants in the application process for obtaining a license under the CRS. 

4. Malaysia: Performance, Testing and Labeling of Energy-Using Products, Guidance Document, December 2024

This guidance document was published on 30 December 2024 and specifies the requirements of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024 for energy-using products. 

In particular, this includes the requirements for:

• Energy-using products
• Energy efficiency criteria and testing methods
• Minimum energy performance standards
• The energy efficiency rating table and calculation method for each energy product
• Calculation methodology for energy ratings
• Energy efficiency labeling requirements

The guidance documents cover the following energy-using products: air conditioners, refrigerators, domestic fans, lamps, televisions, washing machines, microwaves oven, rice cookers, freezers and electric ovens. 

The guidance document is applicable from 1 January 2025.

5. Bahrain: Telecommunications Sector Cybersecurity Controls, Guidelines, December 2024

In December 2024, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain issued comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines aimed at protecting the telecommunications sector, which is considered part of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). These guidelines provide a robust framework covering seven key domains: IT Cybersecurity Governance, Cyber Defense, Cybersecurity Assessment and Audit, Cybersecurity Operations and Incident Management, Generally Applicable Telecoms Security Controls, Peering and Interconnection, and National Infrastructure and Services. Currently, the guidelines are not legally binding but are designed to help telecommunication entities align with industry standards and regulatory expectations.

The term “entities” broadly refers to organizations regulated under the Telecommunications Law, though the framework is intended to encourage cybersecurity hygiene across the entire telecommunications sector in Bahrain. The primary purpose is to provide guidance and recommendations for implementing effective security controls, mitigating cyber and physical risks, and ensuring the resilience of critical telecommunications infrastructure. 

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The top compliance trends in February 2025 is based on the most viewed regulations on C2P this month. If you would like to see C2P in action, join us for a bite-sized high-level demo to witness the true power behind C2P.

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