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Articles by Andy Leck
Singapore: Parliament Passes Digital Infrastructure Bill
In brief On 7 October 2026, Parliament passed the Digital Infrastructure Bill ("Bill"), which the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) first introduced on 8 September 2026. The Bill establishes two new separate licensing regimes administered by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to enhance (i) the security and resilience of major cloud services and data centres (DCs); and (ii) the environmental sustainability of DC operations in Singapore.
Singapore: PDPC Advisory on Unauthorised AI Tools
In brief On 30 September 2026, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) published an Advisory for Data Protection Risks When Using Unauthorised AI Tools For the Development of Software or Scripts ("Advisory"). The PDPC notes that the growing adoption of publicly available AI tools in day-to-day business tasks has introduced significant benefits but also data protection risks.
Singapore: IPOS Clarifies When Colour-Related Word Marks Are Descriptive
In brief Word marks that designate colours may be perceived by consumers as describing characteristics of goods rather than indicating trade origin, making them more difficult to register.
Singapore: HSA Outlines Direction as Integrated Regulator
In brief On 12 October 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) outlined its direction for the various health regulatory functions that is being integrated under HSA. This follows the passing of the HSA (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill (“Bill”) in September 2026, which brings the various health regulatory functions under HSA. Further details have been shared in our previous alert “Singapore: Amendment to Consolidate Health Regulatory Functions”.
Singapore: HSA Strengthens Partnerships to Boost Healthcare Innovations
In brief On 12 October 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced three initiatives to help promising healthcare innovations reach patients sooner: (i) collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) through the Regulatory Innovation Corridor on regulatory considerations for breakthrough therapies that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drug development and clinical trials; (ii) a common entry point for clinical research and...
Singapore: IPOS Clarifies Protection Limits for Well-Known Marks
Skip to content In brief In Comité International Olympique v Olimp Laboratories Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia [2026] SGIPOS 10, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) dismissed an opposition brought by the International Olympic Committee/Comité International Olympique ("Opponent") against the registration of the OLIMP SPORT NUTRITION mark.
Singapore: New Initiatives Strengthen Intangible Asset and IP Ecosystem
Skip to content In brief Singapore has launched three key initiatives to strengthen its position as a leading hub for intangible asset management and IP-driven growth: The Intangible Asset Valuation Network (IAVN), to strengthen global practices in the valuation of intangible assets such as brands, patents, know-how, software and data A new Technical Reference (TR) on Enterprise IA/IP Management announced by IPOS A Guidance Note on the Valuation of Intangible Assets (GN-003) issued by the...
Singapore: Government Proposes to Legislate Stronger Social Media Safeguards
Skip to content In brief The Singapore Government plans to introduce legislation in early 2027 to mandate stronger safeguards to better protect teenagers using social media from addiction, algorithmic manipulation, dangerous interactions with strangers and other online harms.
Singapore: Registration Support Initiative for Unregistered Medical Devices
In brief On 28 August 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced a Registration Support Initiative to facilitate the transition of clinically important unregistered medical devices from the Special Access Route (SAR) to a sustainable formal registration pathway. This follows from our previous update regarding this Registration Support Initiative. HSA will waive evaluation fees for eligible devices to reduce the regulatory costs associated with registration.
Singapore: Amendment to Consolidate Health Regulatory Functions
In brief On 9 September 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill was tabled for Second Reading in Parliament. The Bill proposes to consolidate health regulatory functions and establish an integrated health regulatory function under the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
Singapore: CSA and IMDA Issue Generative AI Advisory
In brief On 28 July 2026, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued a joint advisory titled Safe & Secure Use of Generative AI for Individuals. The advisory provides practical guidance for individuals on managing privacy, security and digital well-being risks associated with the growing use of generative AI ("Gen AI") tools, including chatbots, virtual assistants and image generators.
Singapore: New Anti-Scam Rules and Online Safety Enforcement
In brief On 4 August 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill ("Bill") for First Reading in Parliament. The Bill proposes amendments to, among other legislation, the Protection from Scams Act and the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA), with the aim of strengthening Singapore's ability to detect, disrupt and deter scam-related activities.
Singapore: Public Consultation on AI and IP Regime
In brief On 26 August 2026, the Ministry of Law ("MinLaw") and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) launched a public consultation on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Singapore's intellectual property (IP) regime. The consultation will run from 26 August to 22 October 2026. Interested parties may submit copyright-related feedback here and patent-related feedback here.
Singapore: Faster IP Processes and New GI Rights
In brief Singapore's IP landscape has seen a trio of notable developments. From 1 September 2026, IPOS will reopen its popular SG Patents Fast and SG Trade Marks Fast programmes, putting accelerated prosecution back on the table for applicants seeking quicker outcomes. At the other end of the spectrum, IPOS has also extended its Extension of Time (EOT) Pilot by a further year, giving eligible patent applicants additional flexibility to defer search and examination requests.
Singapore: HSA Finalizes Medical Device Cybersecurity Best Practices
In brief In August 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) published the finalized Best Practices Guide for Medical Device Cybersecurity (“Guide”) following a public consultation. The Guide provides best practices recommendations and considerations to all medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers on general cybersecurity principles to ensure that medical devices are secure throughout their Total Product Life Cycle.
Singapore: Proposed Bill to Protect Genetic Information
In brief On 7 August 2026, the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a public consultation to seek views on a proposed Bill to strengthen safeguards on the use of genetic information. The Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2027. This is in line with MOH’s intention to enhance legislative protections on the use of genetic information. Further information on MOH’s previous statements may be found in our client alert here.
Singapore: Update to SAPI Code
In brief In July 2026, the Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI) revised its Code of Conduct (“SAPI Code”) to provide greater clarity on disguised promotions in clinical research and transparency. In more detail The SAPI Code provides guidance for its member companies in the marketing and promotion of pharmaceutical products and serves as the basis for self-discipline in the pharmaceutical industry.
Singapore: HSA Consults on Complementary Health Products Regulation
In brief On 1 July 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) invited feedback on its proposed regulatory framework for Complementary Health Products (CHP). CHP are self-care health products with a long history of safe use — and are intended for supporting or enhancing general health or alleviating symptoms of minor conditions that consumers can manage themselves.
Singapore: CSA Cyber Landscape Report 2025/2026
In brief On 30 June 2026, the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) released its Singapore Cyber Landscape 2025/2026 Report (“Report”). The Report reviews Singapore’s cybersecurity situation for 2025 and 1H2026 against the backdrop of an evolving threat landscape driven by rapid technological advancements, and highlights Singapore’s efforts to build a safer cyberspace.
Singapore: New Transparency Guidelines for Generative AI Chatbots
In brief On 20 July 2026, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) published the Transparency Guidelines for Generative AI Chatbots ("Guidelines"), which IMDA describes as being among the first such guidelines in the world. The Guidelines set out how generative AI (“GenAI”) chatbot deployers can provide meaningful transparency to consumers about their applications.
Singapore: CSA's Addendum on Securing Agentic AI Systems
In brief On 17 June 2026, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) announced its release of the finalised Addendum to the Guidelines and Companion Guide on Securing AI Systems ("Addendum"). This follows the public consultation held by CSA in 2025, which we outlined in our client alert here. The Addendum was developed by the CSA in collaboration with industry, government, and international partners to support system owners in securing their agentic AI systems.
Singapore: AI-Specific Notification Requirement
In brief On 20 July 2026, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) issued its Advisory Guidelines on Use of Personal Data in Generative AI ("Guidelines"). The Guidelines clarify how the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) applies across the generative AI lifecycle, including the use of personal data to develop generative AI models. The Guidelines are advisory in nature, but interpret binding obligations under the PDPA.
Singapore: Cybersecurity Code of Practice to be Updated
In brief On 22 July 2026, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) announced that it would be releasing an updated Cybersecurity Code of Practice (CCoP) for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) and a new CCoP for cloud services in the later part of 2026. In more detail Updates to the CCoP for CIIs Since the last update of the CCoP in 2022, the cyber threat landscape has shifted with new AI-enabled threats, allowing threat actors to launch attacks faster and at a greater scale.
Singapore: MDDI and IMDA Consult on Digital Infrastructure Bill
In brief On 1 July 2026, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched a public consultation on the draft Digital Infrastructure Bill (“Bill”), which closed on 22 July 2026. The Bill seeks to uplift the security and resilience of digital infrastructure services and the environmental sustainability of data centre (DC) operations in Singapore.
Singapore: Regulatory action for AI fake reviews
In brief On 3 July 2025, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) announced that it had taken regulatory action against Quantum Globe Pte. Ltd. ("Quantum Globe") for posting fake five-star reviews for its "Lambency Detailing" brand on its Sgcarmart.com business page over a two-year period.
Singapore: MOH Revokes Licence after Serious and Systemic Lapses
Skip to content In brief The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a notice of licence revocation to a nursing home on 18 June 2026, after finding serious and systemic lapses in resident safety, clinical and nursing care and infection prevention control practices. MOH informed the operator of its intention to revoke its licence to provide nursing home services with effect from 30 October 2026. The four-month timeline is to allow time to transfer current residents to other nursing homes.
Singapore: HSA Provides Medical Device Regulatory Updates
In brief On 28 May 2026, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) published details of its zoom webinar on regulatory updates for medical devices and IVDs that was held on 20 May 2026. The webinar included various topics, including regulatory updates on software medical devices, the AI in Healthcare Guidelines 2.0 (AIHGle 2.0), amongst other updates. In more detail HSA’s briefing included the following key regulatory updates: 1.
Singapore Health Sciences Authoritys Mean Screening Time 2025 2026 Update
In brief On 11 June 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) published its latest mean applicant screening response times for new and major variation applications accepted between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. HSA’s target screening turnaround time remains 50 working days from receipt of the application dossier to acceptance, non-acceptance or withdrawal, excluding applicant response time.
Singapore: IPOS Updates Patent Prosecution Highway Initiatives
In brief On 10 June 2026, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) announced further enhancements to the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme through two circulars: Patent Circular No. 2/2026, which introduces new initiatives to promote uptake of the PPH; and Patent Circular No. 3/2026, which clarifies how the Invitation to Amend (ITA) process applies to PPH and Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH) applications.
Singapore: New Online Safety Commission Launches on 29 June 2026
In brief On 29 June 2026, the Online Safety Commission (OSC), a new agency established under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (OSRAA) to support victims of online harms, will commence operations. Specified provisions on statutory torts under the OSRAA will also come into effect on the same day. In more detail The OSC will provide victims of online harms with quicker and more accessible avenues of recourse.
Singapore: IMDA updates Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI
In brief On 20 May 2026, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) updated the Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI (MGF). The MGF, first rolled out in January 2026, provides guidance on managing the risks associated with deploying agentic AI systems which are capable of autonomous planning, reasoning, and action.
The Convergence of Risk: Cyber, Data and AI Disputes
Rapid technological innovation and evolving regulations are outpacing the development of organizations’ cyber, data and AI risk frameworks, creating operational risk and cross-border reporting challenges. Organizations now face a high-stakes and multifaceted risk landscape spanning enforcement, operational, reputational and dispute risk.
Singapore: HSA expands digital portal for gene therapies
In brief The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has further expanded its Singapore Health Product Access and Regulatory E-System (SHARE). From 17 December 2025, users may apply via SHARE for: (i) the CTGTP Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) for Class 2 CTGTPs; and (ii) the Free Sale Certificate (FSC) for Class 1 CTGTPs. In more detail SHARE is a digital platform developed by the HSA to streamline regulatory submissions.
Singapore: HSA expands regulatory innovation partnerships and AI focus
In brief Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has announced the launch of the new Regulatory Innovation Corridor with the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This new coordinated fast-track pathway will enable developers to engage both regulators early and concurrently, accelerating access to breakthrough health technologies in both jurisdictions.
Singapore: HSA launches eCTD submission portal
In brief The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has announced the launch of the electronic common technical document (eCTD) portal in Singapore, which has opened for an initial six-month test submission phase from 30 September 2025 to 27 March 2026. Actual submissions on the eCTD portal can be made from 1 April 2026. Background eCTD is a standard structured format for companies to transfer regulatory information related to therapeutic products to facilitate dossier submissions.
Singapore: Introduction of the Health Information Bill in parliament
In brief The Health Information Bill (HIB) was read for the first time in parliament on 5 November 2025. This follows the initial announcement made by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in March 2023 that it intended to table the HIB in parliament in the second half of 2023. The HIB mandates all licensed healthcare providers, including private clinics, clinical laboratories and radiological services, to contribute selected health information to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR).
Singapore: HSA warns of adulterated herbal product
In brief In November 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) detected two potent steroids in a herbal product marketed as a traditional supplement to relieve multiple medical conditions. The HSA alerted the public not to purchase the product. Key takeaways Sellers and suppliers should note that health products must comply with applicable healthcare regulations. The HSA will not hesitate to publish information on the adverse effects of health products.
Singapore: DACs included in HSA advertising regulations
In brief On 20 August 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) uploaded a revised version of its Explanatory Guidance to the Health Products (Advertisement of Specified Health Products) Regulations 2016.
The Convergence of Risk: Cyber, Data and AI Disputes
Skip to content Rapid technological innovation and evolving regulations are outpacing the development of organizations’ cyber, data and AI risk frameworks, creating operational risk and cross-border reporting challenges. Organizations now face a high-stakes and multifaceted risk landscape spanning enforcement, operational, reputational and dispute risk.
Singapore: CCS Issues Warning to Online Retailers
In brief On 18 May 2026, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) reported taking action against three online retailers of lifestyle goods, mattresses and apparel after finding that they used misleading website design features that pressured consumers into purchasing. Following investigations, the retailers provided formal undertakings to CCS to cease these website features and committed to avoid unfair trade practices in the future.
Singapore: High Court Dismisses Manufacturer's Infringement Claims Against Retailer
In brief On 10 April 2026, the High Court dismissed claims of copyright infringement, trade mark infringement and inverse passing off brought by The Beauty Nation Pte. Ltd. (“Claimant”) under the Simplified Process for Certain Intellectual Property Claims against Herbs Health Ben Cao Kang Mu Pte. Ltd. and TCM Shop SG Pte. Ltd. (collectively, “Defendants”).
Singapore: New Cooperation Initiative Between IPOS and JPO
In brief On 12 May 2026, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) issued a joint statement announcing a new cooperation initiative to strengthen collaboration on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in patent substantive examination.
Singapore: Successful Opposition Against “Aswins” Composite Mark Application
In brief On 20 April 2026, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) allowed an opposition filed by Aswins Home Special (“Opponent”) against the application by Aswins Sweets & Snacks Pte Ltd (“Applicant”) to register the "" mark (“Application Mark”) in Classes 29 and 30.
Singapore: HSA’s Clampdown on Illegal Health Products
In brief In May 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced that, during a 2-week period in March 2026, it removed 1,000 online listings and seized 6,600 units of illegal health products in its joint international operation with INTERPOL. The removals were part of an INTERPOL-led global enforcement exercise involving 90 countries named Operation Pangea XVIII, targeting the sale of illicit health products.
Singapore: HSA’s Collaboration with Overseas Regulators
In brief In April and May 2026, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced collaborations with its Japan and China regulatory counterparts respectively. With China’s National Medical Products Administration, HSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 11 May 2026 to accelerate access to new health products in both countries.
Singapore: Parliament Strengthens IMDA's Oversight of the Media Sector
In brief Following a public consultation earlier this year by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Parliament passed the Info-communications Media Development Authority (Amendment) Bill on 7 May 2026.
Singapore: Recent PDPC Decision Emphasises Management Corporations’ Obligations
In brief On 1 April 2026, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) announced that Management Corporation – Strata Title Plan No. 4869 (MCST 4869) had breached its obligations under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) and issued directions to MCST 4869 for remediation. The PDPC also accepted a voluntary undertaking from Asia Properties & Assets Consultancy Pte.
Singapore: MOH Publishes Health Information Act Resources
In brief Following the passing of the Health Information Act (HIA) in January 2026, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has published several resources to provide information regarding the implementation of the HIA.
Singapore: MOH Publishes Cybersecurity and Data Security Essentials
Skip to content In brief Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has published the “Cybersecurity and Data Security Essentials” guidelines (“Guidelines”), which sets out cybersecurity and data security requirements for healthcare providers processing health information pursuant to the Health Information Act (HIA). The Guidelines are part of the implementation resources for HIA’s progressive roll-out through early 2027.
Singapore: HSA Publishes Therapeutic Product Registration Updates
In brief On 1 April 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) released updates relating to the registration of therapeutic products, as part of its continued efforts to improve regulatory efficiency and enhance clarity in the regulatory requirements and processes. Key takeaways The HSA regularly updates its regulatory requirements and processes to ensure that they are efficient and clear for its stakeholders.
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