The amendment to the Waste Control Act, passed by the National Assembly, creates a legal pathway for adipose tissue that was previously classified as medical waste to be used in research and product development. The legislation will come into effect one year after promulgation, with detailed regulations on its use to follow. 

Human adipose tissue contains extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen, growth factors and adipose-derived stem cells, making it an important source of regenerative biomaterials. The regulatory change is expected to expand the development of adipose-derived ECM technologies. 

While industry leaders have welcomed the legislation, experts say clearer regulatory guidance on safety, product approval and clinical evaluation will be needed before adipose-derived regenerative products can be widely adopted.