The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a free trade agreement with the largest population and the largest economic and trade scale in the world。More than 90 percent of goods traded within the region will eventually be tariff-free。This June marks the first anniversary of the full implementation of RCEP。Since its formal implementation, the RCEP has initially formed a new situation of regional cooperation featuring sharing dividends and jointly promoting development, and pushed the regional economy into a new stage of high-quality development。

　　On November 15, 2020, the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand jointly signed the RCEP, which will officially enter into force on January 1, 2022。China's RCEP came into effect on January 1, 2022。

　　On June 2, 2023, RCEP entered into force for the Philippines, bringing the agreement into full force for all 15 signatories。The total population, GDP and trade in goods of the RCEP region all account for about 30% of the global total. The full entry into force of the RCEP agreement for 15 parties marks a new stage of full implementation for the free trade area with the largest population, the largest economic and trade scale and the greatest development potential in the world。

　　According to customs statistics, in the first five months of this year, China imported and exported to other RCEP member states.11 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.5%。For other RCEP members, trade accounts for more than 30% of China's foreign trade。

　　(Source: International Business Daily)

　　I. Main contents

　　On 30 May 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted a Directive on the promotion of the repair of goods, also known as the Right to repair (R2R) Directive。The directive allows consumers to repair broken or defective products in a simpler and cheaper way, and encourages manufacturers to produce products that last longer and can be repaired, reused and recycled。

　　The specific contents of the R2R directive include but are not limited to:

　　1.After the product warranty period ends, manufacturers are still required to provide repair services for specific products, such as common household products such as washing machines, televisions, vacuum cleaners or smartphones。The warranty period of repaired products is automatically extended for one year。

　　2.Inform consumers of the manufacturer's maintenance obligations and provide service information。

　　3.Manufacturers are required to provide repair parts and tools at a reasonable price, and are prohibited from using contractual clauses, hardware or software technology to hinder repair, such as preventing independent repair shops from using 3D printed or used parts to repair products。

　　4.The maintainer is required to provide standardized key information on the repair process and price through the European Maintenance Information Form。

　　5.Create an online repair platform that lists repairs, second-hand products trading and shops or individuals selling slightly defective goods within the EU and member States。

　　6.Develop voluntary European standards for the quality of maintenance services。

　　7.Allow consumers to borrow equipment during product repairs, or opt for refurbished equipment as a replacement。

　　The R2R Directive, signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union。Member States have a two-year transition period to transpose the directive into national law。

　　2. Relevant background

　　On 22 March 2023, the European Commission adopted the R2R Directive proposal to support the sustainable consumption objectives of the European Green Deal。

　　On 1 February 2024, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a political agreement on the R2R Directive。

　　Third, the focus of Chinese enterprises should pay attention to

　　Companies that supply common household products such as washing machines, televisions, vacuum cleaners or smartphones to the EU market are advised to pay attention to this information and design or adjust their product repair services in advance。

　　(Source: Official website of the European Council)

　　The latest requirements of the Lebanese Embassy certification are as follows:

　　1. Business documents should provide a description of the company in English, which should include: business scope, establishment time, legal person name, company telephone, fax, purpose of document use, address in Lebanon, telephone, etc。

　　2. Regarding the provisions of the certification of agreement documents such as authorization letter/entrustment transfer in Lebanon, the certification of such documents shall be supplemented with the following supporting documents according to the certification content:

　　A. Copies of passports or identity certificates of representatives of both parties mentioned in the documents (English or Arabic translation is required)。

　　B. No matter which party in the document, if only the name of the enterprise is mentioned without mentioning the name of the specific representative, it is necessary to provide a letter signed and issued by the person in charge of the enterprise, proving that the name and position of the representative signed by the enterprise will be entrusted by the enterprise, and attach a copy of the ID card or passport of the representative。The official letter issued by the Chinese and Lebanese companies shall be printed, signed and sealed on the regular letterhead paper of the company。

　　C. If more than one representative is mentioned in the document, the identity certificate or passport copy of all the names mentioned in the document shall be provided。All supporting documents must be accompanied by a formal English or Arabic translation。

　　3. Other business documents to be authenticated shall be accompanied by supporting documents: business licenses of all Chinese and Lebanese companies mentioned in the text (Chinese side shall have English translation) or registration certificates (Lebanese side).，If the name of the person in charge of the company is mentioned on the registration certificate of the company，Directly provide a copy of the passport or ID card of the person in charge，If the company registration certificate does not mention the specific person in charge，The company shall issue a letter of certification，Identify the person in charge of the company and provide a copy of the person's passport。

　　(Special note: The certification materials signed by the Ministry of Agriculture on pesticides and other products also need to be handled according to the above requirements)

　　(Source: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Commercial Certification)

　　Recently, India's Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change issued an official Gazette notice to amend the extended Producer responsibility regulations specifically for batteries。The amendment, which came into effect immediately after publication in the Government Gazette, aims to enforce major changes in environmental responsibility during the battery life cycle。

　　Mandatory waste management

　　Clear producer responsibilities are provided, with a strong emphasis on pre-consumption waste management。Producers, particularly those involved in the manufacture, assembly or import of cells or battery packs, now have an obligation to manage waste in an environmentally responsible manner。This critical shift highlights the growing importance of accountability throughout the battery production lifecycle。

　　Annual report and strict requirements

　　Manufacturers are required to submit annual statements detailing the management of waste batteries produced in the previous fiscal year。This initiative is designed to provide regulatory oversight and ensure that producers meet their environmental commitments。At the same time, comprehensive measures have been introduced, including strict labelling requirements, restrictions on the use of heavy metals and the implementation of extended producer responsibility certification。

　　(Source: International Standards and Chengdu Technical Trade Measures)

　　According to the "BRICS News" social media account on June 21, Thailand officially applied to join the BRICS countries。

　　Thai Prime Minister's Office spokesman Chai Wacharong said on May 28 that the Thai Cabinet meeting approved the draft letter of intent submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on joining the BRICS countries, believing that becoming a member of the BRICS countries will benefit Thailand, help enhance Thailand's international status and provide more opportunities for Thailand's economic development。

　　(Source: CCTV Finance, China.org.cn)

　　The Directorate General of External Trade of India (DGFT) has issued Circular No. 13/2024-25 to amend the provisions on the import of electronic and IT products in the External Trade Policy 2023 and the ITC HS 2022 Schedule 1 Import Policy。

　　IT is stressed that imported electronics and IT products, whether new or second-hand, must be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and comply with BIS labelling requirements prior to import。The version of the BIS Mandatory Registration Scheme on which it is based has been updated from the 2012 version to the 2021 version。

　　The Directorate General of External Trade (DGFT) of India has revised its Foreign Trade Policy and import policy

　　(Source: China Academy of Information and Communications Technology)