ASEAN-5: ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand FTA Upgrade including interoperability requirements entered into force

On 21 April 2025, the Upgrade to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) entered into force, following its adoption on 21 August 2023. The Upgrade includes provisions to enhance interoperability in electronic commerce, such as commitments to adopt international standards for e-invoicing and electronic authentication. It aims to support digital trade by implementing measures for interoperable systems, which are expected to reduce compliance costs and improve the efficiency of cross-border transactions. Additionally, the Upgrade mandates the publication of government data in open, machine-readable formats. These provisions currently apply to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos PDR, and Brunei Darussalam, with entry into force for the other ASEAN Member States pending the completion of domestic procedures.