India: In May 2026, key developments included CDSCO clarifying the regulatory status of cosmetic products used as injectables, implementation measures aimed at streamlining clinical trial and regulatory processes, ICMR’s introduction of operational guidelines for single ethics review of multicentre research, NABH’s release of new accreditation standards for Ayush hospitals, and regulatory initiatives affecting digital health, advertising and food businesses. Judicial developments during the month also provided important guidance on medical negligence proceedings and protection of pharmaceutical trademarks. This newsletter highlights key regulatory and policy developments relevant to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare sector stakeholders operating in India.

India: As we enter the third year of the current government’s five-year term, the shift in focus from announcing reforms to implementing the institutional frameworks needed for long-term economic growth is discernible. In May, this was the predominant trend across financial regulation, digital governance, AI, advanced manufacturing and cross-border investments. At home, the emphasis was on execution, while India's global engagement continued to prioritize trusted partnerships and resilient supply chains.

United Kingdom: HM Treasury published a policy statement on reform of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) on 18 May 2026, with the FCA publishing a response on the same day.

New Zealand: Since the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011, issues related to earthquakes and seismic performance of buildings have been a common feature of commercial leasing transactions in New Zealand. Proposed changes to our earthquake-prone building regime may pose a significant further development for commercial leasing in New Zealand with the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill (Amendment Bill) currently before Parliament. If enacted, the Amendment Bill will amend the Building Act 2004. At the time of writing, the Amendment Bill is before the Select Committee, with the committee scheduled to report back to Parliament on 16 June 2026.

GCC: Private credit continues to establish itself as an increasingly important part of the GCC financing landscape. While banks remain the dominant force across the region's lending markets, private credit has developed as a complementary source of liquidity and financing flexibility, particularly in transactions requiring bespoke structuring, long-term capital or accelerated execution timelines.

05.06.2026 Standortfördergesetz (StoFöG)
G. v. 04.02.2026 BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 33; zuletzt geändert durch Artikel 27a G. v. 25.03.2026 BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 81

ändert
- Wertpapierprospektgesetz (WpPG)
- Wertpapierhandelsgesetz (WpHG)

On June 2, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recommended that tariffs of either 10 or 12.5 percent be imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on, with limited exceptions, imports of all products that originate in 59 countries and the EU that the USTR has concluded have inadequate prohibitions on the use of forced labor.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s patent practices in Canada, Hong Kong and the United States earned recognition in the 2026 IAM Patent 1000, reflecting the firm’s work in patent litigation, prosecution and transactions across key global markets.

Norton Rose Fulbright Global Head of Antitrust and Competition and New York Co-Head of Litigation and Disputes Robin Adelstein, Global and US Chair and Head of Employment and Labor Shauna Clark and US Vice Chair Gina Shishima have been recognized on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Top Women Lawyers list.

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Resource Capital Funds on the acquisition of Cobre Las Cruces, owner of the Las Cruces copper mine in Spain, from First Quantum Minerals.

Join us and other young professionals for an informal networking breakfast. This event is an opportunity for disputes solicitors and barristers (up to and including senior associate level) to drop in, catch up and network with peers over coffee and breakfast. 

With September 1, 2026 fast-approaching, following on from our webinar in March, our next webinar in the non-financial misconduct series will work through some practical scenarios that firms may face and how the new Code of Conduct (COCON) rule; the new COCON guidance and the new guidance on the fit and proper test could apply in practice.