US states settle with Hyundai and Kia on vehicle theft risks, the UK issues first guidance on cell-cultivated products, and South Korea tightens enforcement against AI-driven false advertising – plus other key updates.
Lexology PRO explores some of the most useful articles recently published on Lexology and externally to help businesses stay abreast of key product regulation and liability developments and risks.
This key update was produced with the assistance of generative AI.
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Vehicles
On 16 December 2025, the Attorney General (AG) of Connecticut, leading a coalition of 35 other AGs, announced a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia over the sale of vehicles lacking industry-standard anti-theft technology. The automakers will equip all future vehicles with engine immobilisers, provide free hardware fixes for affected vehicles, pay up to US$4.5 million in restitution, and contribute US$4.5 million to defray investigation costs.
On 15 December 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted conditional market approval to two electric vehicle (EV) models from automobile companies Changan and BAIC BluePark Magna for conditional autonomous driving functions. The EVs will operate on specified highways in Chongqing and Beijing under a national pilot programme.
Food and medicines
On 15 December 2025, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved depemokimab, the country’s first twice-yearly medicine for asthma and severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The drug is authorised as an add-on treatment for patients above 12 years whose symptoms are not controlled with standard care and works by blocking interleukin-5 protein to reduce type 2 inflammation.
On 11 December 2025, the European Commission supported an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council to modernise EU pharmaceutical legislation. The reform aims to improve patient access to effective medicines, reduce approval time, strengthen supply chains, and address shortages. The rules introduce incentives for priority antimicrobials, establish regulatory sandboxes for personalised therapies, enhance EU-wide monitoring of critical medicines, and facilitate faster entry of generic medicines.
On 5 December 2025, the UK Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland published the first guidance for cell-cultivated products (CCP) under the CCP sandbox programme. The guidance confirmed that CCPs made using animal cells, sometimes called lab-grown meat, are defined as animal-origin products and must comply with the food safety legislation. It also outlined requirements for assessing allergenicity and nutritional quality as part of the authorisation process.
On 21 November 2025, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health implemented its first national guidelines (Ukrainian language only) on health technology assessment for medical devices. The guidelines established a detailed methodology for assessing higher-risk devices, like in vitro diagnostic devices, active implantable medical devices, and high-risk medical software. The framework requires evaluation of clinical effectiveness, budget impact, and ethical considerations to support transparent and evidence-based procurement in line with the EU and international standards.
Chemicals
On 12 December 2025, the Japanese Cabinet amended the enforcement order under the Evaluation of Chemical Substances Act 1973 to designate perfluorohexane sulfonic acid as a Class I Specified Chemical Substance. The amendment restricts the manufacture and imports of these chemicals, bans the import of certain treated products, and tightens technical standards for fire extinguishing products. The order will be rolled out in phases between December 2025 and June 2026.
On 11 December 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation introduced measures to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Key initiatives include a finalised wastewater treatment plant guidance, proposed rules on PFAS sampling in biosolids, a rural soil background study, and draft policy updates on state assistance for contaminated water supplies. Comments on the biosolids sampling rules must be submitted by 9 January 2026, and by 10 February 2026 on the draft policy for contaminated water supplies.
Misleading advertisements
On 10 December 2025, the South Korean government announced a strategy to combat AI-generated false and misleading advertisements, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. The strategy involves amendments to the Broadcasting Media and Communications Commission Act 2013 and stronger enforcement under the Fair Labelling and Advertising Act 2018. The initiative introduced mandatory labelling of AI-generated content, fast-track content reviews, emergency platform-blocking powers, enhanced platform monitoring, and higher fines.
Product labelling
On 1 December 2025, three US legislators proposed the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act, aimed at tackling childhood obesity and diet-related chronic disease. The bill mandates front-of-package health warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages, foods with non-sugar sweeteners, and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Additional provisions include restrictions on marketing these products to children, defining UPFs, and launching a national campaign on nutrient warnings.
Product safety
On 25 November 2025, the European Parliament adopted the Toy Safety Regulation (TSR) to protect children from toy-related risks. TSR introduces a ban on harmful chemicals like PFAS, mandatory pre-market safety assessments, digital product passports for all toys placed in the EU market, and stricter traceability rules for online sales. The regulation replaces the Toy Safety Directive 2009 and will take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Tobacco
On 10 December 2025, Austria’s National Council adopted amendments to the Tobacco and Non-Smoker Protection Act 1995, introducing stricter regulations for nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. The reforms limit sales to licensed specialist retailers, prohibit point-of-sale advertising, and ban disposable e-cigarettes at the end of 2026. The amendments integrate existing e-liquid retailers into a formal licensing system and designate public playgrounds as tobacco-free zones.