India Notifies Customs Rules Ahead of Free Trade Agreement Implementation India/UK: India has notified the customs rules governing the determination of the country of origin for goods traded under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), ahead of the agreement's implementation on 15 July. The new rules specify the eligibility criteria for preferential tariff treatment and the documentation required to claim reduced or zero customs duties. Products must

Appeals Court Upholds Emissions Rule for Heating Appliances in Southern California USA: A federal appeals court has upheld a regulation introduced by the South Coast Air Quality Management District that restricts the manufacture, sale and installation of certain nitrogen oxide-emitting appliances in four counties of Southern California. In a 2–1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act does not prevent states

Samsung Wind-Free Air Conditioner Surpasses 20 Million Units in Sales South Korea/Global: Samsung Electronics has announced that cumulative global sales of its Wind-Free Air Conditioner have exceeded 20 million units as of June 2026, marking the product's tenth anniversary since its launch in 2016. The company said it will continue expanding its presence in the business-to-business (B2B) HVAC market across Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. In Europe, Samsung has su

South Korea: LG to Invest KRW 9.4 Trillion in AI Infrastructure and Advanced Manufacturing South Korea: LG has announced plans to invest KRW 9.4 trillion (USD 6.15 billion; EUR 5.25 billion) in the Yeongnam region by 2030 to expand artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The investment will focus on AI data centres, optical technologies, AI semiconductor core substrates and next-generation display technologies, with projects led by

HomePro Expands Omnichannel Strategy to Support Home Improvement Retail Thailand: HomePro, operated by Home Product Center PCL, continues to strengthen its position in Thailand's home improvement retail market through its nationwide network of large-format stores offering construction materials, home furnishings, kitchen and bathroom products, appliances and related services. The company has expanded its presence through new store openings, refurbishment of existing outlets a

Ferro Strengthens Focus on Bathroom and Plumbing Solutions Across Central and Eastern Europe Poland: Ferro S.A., a manufacturer and distributor of bathroom and plumbing fittings listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, continues to expand its presence across Central and Eastern Europe through a combination of manufacturing and distribution activities. The company supplies faucets, mixers, valves and installation components for residential and commercial buildings, serving retail

US Construction Employment Increases by 11,000 Jobs in June USA: Construction employment in the United States increased by 11,000 jobs in June, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on 2 July. The construction unemployment rate stood at 4.7%, while the overall unemployment rate across all industries declined to 4.2%, remaining 0.1 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Over the past 12 months, construction employment increased by 64,000 jobs, rep

US House Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act USA: The US House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) on 23 June by a vote of 358 to 32. The legislation aims to increase the supply of affordable housing through measures covering land-use and zoning reforms, housing repairs, multifamily financing, environmental review processes and community banking. It also includes provisions supporting manufa

Canada and the Philippines Target 2026 Free Trade Agreement Canada and the Philippines have agreed to conclude negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement by the end of 2026 as part of a broader strategic partnership covering trade, defence, energy, labour mobility and tourism. The agreement was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Vancouver during the Philippine leader’s first official visit t

IAPMO Expands Global Compliance Services with In Compliance Acquisition Germany: The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has expanded its international product compliance capabilities through the acquisition of Germany-based consulting firm In Compliance. The company specialises in regulatory requirements for plumbing products and systems, particularly those used in drinking water applications. The acquisition strengthens IAPMO's ability to

Grohe and Gaurs Group Sign Four-Year Residential Supply Agreement India: Grohe has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gaurs Group to supply bathroom solutions for the developer's residential projects in Delhi-NCR. The four-year agreement is expected to cover approximately 40,000 homes across the company's upcoming luxury residential developments. Under the partnership, Grohe will supply bathroom fittings, showers and complete bathroom solutions, while selected re

European Heatwaves Increase Demand for Turkish HVAC Exports Turkey: Rising heatwaves across Europe are increasing demand for Turkish air conditioning and climate control systems, creating export opportunities for the country's HVAC sector. Industry representatives reported growing demand not only from southern Europe but also from central and northern European markets as higher temperatures influence cooling requirements across residential, commercial and industrial buildings