Taiwan's premier has completed the countersignature procedure for the drone statute, it was reported on Sept. 11. The decision came after review continued until the last point in the period allowed under constitutional procedure.

Countersignature is the step by which the premier signs a law being promulgated, confirming the executive branch's responsibility for enforcement. The signature does not signify full agreement with the content, but the law takes effect only once the procedure is complete.

The statute covers drone registration, permitted operating scope and management of flight restriction zones. As the commercial drone market has grown and airspace management has become more complex, the case for legislation has been pressed.

The executive branch has raised the burden of staffing and systems needed for enforcement, since carrying out registration management and violation checks requires dedicated administrative capacity and budget.

Industry broadly welcomes the clarity itself, arguing that acquiring aircraft and planning operations is difficult when standards are undefined.

The next question is implementing rules. How the scope of aircraft subject to registration and the flight approval process are settled will determine how heavy the regulation feels in practice.