Laos has significantly broadened its industrial property administrative review framework, most notably by extending it to cover copyright and related rights for the first time. Decision No. 0306/IC on the Administrative Resolution of Disputes Concerning Industrial Property Registration, New Plant Variety Registration, and Copyright and Related Rights Recordation took effect on April 24, 2026, replacing the previous rules from 2023, which had covered only industrial property and new plant variety matters. Decision No. 0306/IC governs how Laos’ Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and provincial offices handle formal challenges to industrial property registrations and applications. The proceedings covered include oppositions to pending applications, appeals of refused applications, requests for cancellation of existing registrations, and—newly—disputes concerning the recordation and interpretation of copyright and related rights. These administrative proceedings within the DIP are heard by a government-appointed Administrative Dispute Resolution Committee, which functions similarly to the opposition and review boards found in other jurisdictions. Key Changes Decision No. 0306/IC covers four categories of administrative proceedings: Oppositions: Third-party challenges to a pending industrial property application before it is granted. Refusal appeals: Challenges to the DIP’s decision to refuse their application. Cancellation or deletion requests: Applications to invalidate an existing registered right on the grounds that it should not have been granted. Copyright and related rights disputes: Challenges to or interpretations of copyright and related rights recordations, including determinations of whether a work qualifies for copyright protection under Lao law. The most significant development is the committee’s new jurisdiction over copyright matters. The committee is now empowered to resolve disputes concerning copyright and related rights recordation—this includes the authority to determine whether a work qualifies for copyright protection and to interpret the scope of an existing recordation. Parties who believe a competitor has improperly recorded copyright over a work, or who wish to contest

Thailand has prescribed more stringent labeling specifications for traditional and electric vehicles (EVs), requiring manufacturers and importers for sale to display clear, accurate product information on vehicle labels. The requirements, which took effect on March 21, 2026, are set out in a notification issued under Thailand’s consumer protection framework. Background and Scope Under Thailand’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA), products manufactured for sale or imported into Thailand must generally comply with the CPA’s broad labeling requirements, unless the Label Committee prescribes more specific and stringent requirements for certain products. Accordingly, prior to the issuance of this notification, traditional autos and EVs were subject only to the general labeling requirements. Following the issuance of this Label Committee notification, traditional autos and EVs are now for the first time specifically subject to a dedicated regulatory framework for labeling. The requirements apply to private passenger vehicles and private trucks that have not yet been registered, including those powered by an internal combustion engine, electric power, or a combination of both. Label Requirements Labels must be displayed in Thai or with a Thai translation, and must be clearly visible and legible. Text must be proportional to the label area, with a minimum character height of 2 millimeters. All covered vehicles must display the following: Product name, trade name, or trademark Brand and model Manufacturer or importer information Size, weight, and load-bearing capacity Warranty conditions Drive system, usage instructions, and safety precautions Manufacturing date Price Additional Requirements for EVs EVs must also display the following: Type of electric vehicle (e.g., HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV) Maximum electric motor power and rated continuous output power Battery type and capacity Battery warranty conditions or a clear statement that no warranty is provided Estimated driving range per full battery charge Electrical system safety standard Electricity consumption rate These

Vietnam’s legal framework governing chemicals has undergone significant reform, with the Law on Chemicals No. 69/2025/QH15 (Law on Chemicals 2025) taking effect on January 1, 2026. Together with a comprehensive set of implementing instruments issued in January 2026, including three decrees (No. 24/2026/ND‑CP, No. 25/2026/ND‑CP, and No. 26/2026/ND‑CP) and two circulars (No. 01/2026/TT‑BCT and No. 02/2026/TT‑BCT), the Law on Chemicals 2025 has significantly reshaped chemical registration and management requirements. Determining What Constitutes a “New Chemical” Among the most notable changes introduced under the Law on Chemicals 2025 are the rules governing the registration and management of new chemicals, which must be registered with the authority before being placed on the Vietnam market. Although the concept of new chemical registration was first introduced under the Law on Chemicals 2007, the corresponding registration mechanism has remained largely dormant in practice. Under the Law on Chemicals 2025, a “new chemical” is defined as a substance that is not yet included in Vietnam’s National Chemical Inventory and the list of foreign chemical inventories recognized by the competent Vietnamese authority (List of Foreign Chemicals). On a literal reading, the definition in the new law may suggest that a substance qualifies as a new chemical only if it is absent from both lists. Accordingly, a chemical present in either list should be treated as an existing chemical without the registration burden. However, a different interpretation emerges from Decree 26, which specifically requires registration of “new chemicals” even where such substances already appear in the List of Foreign Chemicals. This implies that inclusion in a recognized foreign inventory does not automatically exempt a substance from new chemical registration in Vietnam. This inconsistency between the statutory definition in the Law on Chemicals 2025 and the implementing provisions of Decree 26 creates significant interpretative and compliance challenges. At

Thailand’s rise as a regional hub for luxury retail has influenced how market entry is structured and assessed across Southeast Asia. As brands consider establishing a presence in the market, regulatory and operational considerations form a key part of the overall entry assessment. Foreign Ownership Restrictions for Retailers Foreign investment in retail activities is subject to a relatively extensive regulatory framework, particularly in relation to foreign ownership and the approvals required under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA). Under the FBA, a company is generally regarded as foreign if 50% or more of its shares are held by non-Thai nationals, in which case the business is required to obtain a foreign business license (FBL) issued by the director-general of the Department of Business Development, with the approval of the Foreign Business Committee. The committee will not grant an FBL unless it is convinced the proposed business demonstrates unique characteristics such as a distinctive business model, innovative processes, specialized services or products, or a clear competitive differentiation that will benefit Thailand; constitutes a highly specialized business or requires specialized technology or expertise; and will not compete with Thai business operators who engage in the same business. The committee makes its decisions on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances, which can make the licensing process less predictable in practice. However, there are also alternative pathways for consideration, including exemptions in specific circumstances. For example, foreign-owned businesses in Thailand with at least THB 100 million in registered capital are allowed to open five retail stores in the country. Some businesses may also be able to access preferential treatment under international agreements and treaties between Thailand and certain foreign states, subject to eligibility requirements. Structural and Business Model Challenges The determination of what constitutes a “retail store” may itself present