Taiwan Regulatory News

On 9 September 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment (MEO) announced that nationwide drinking water tests for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are in compliance with national limits. A...

On 9 September 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment (MEO) announced that nationwide drinking water tests for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are in compliance with national limits. At the same time, the ministry issued guideline values for six additional emerging contaminants to strengthen water quality management. The new substances include germanium, thallium, boron, microcystin-LR, DEHP (a plasticizer), and the total sum of 20 PFAS compounds.

Previous PFAS Regulation Efforts

In November 2024, Taiwan revised its drinking water quality standards to include PFAS limits, becoming one of the first countries in Asia to adopt such measures. Under the updated standards, PFOA + PFOS must not exceed 50 ng/L and PFOS + PFHxS must not exceed 70 ng/L. Since the start of 2025, testing has been conducted at 130 large-scale water treatment plants, covering 91% of the national water supply, with all results meeting the standards.

Test Results Confirm Compliance Nationwide

Analysis shows that:

• For PFOA + PFOS, over 96% of samples were either undetected or at less than one quarter of the standard. Only isolated cases in central Taiwan reaching about half the limit.
• For PFOS + PFHxS, 98% of samples fell below a quarter of the limit, confirming that PFAS levels in drinking water are generally safe nationwide.
• Observed patters also show surface water sources tending to have lower PFAS concentration than groundwater, and that the northern, southern, and eastern regions exhibit particularly low concentrations.

Rolling Updates in Line with International Trends

According to the Ministry, guideline values for emerging contaminants will be continuously updated, following expert consultation and international trends such as the EU Drinking Water Directive.

The newly introduced guideline for ‘total PFAS (20 compounds)’ is 100 ng/L. Local environmental agencies and water utilities have been instructed to integrate these new values into their monitoring regimes.

The Ministry also noted that future updates will follow international developments, with the National Environmental Research Institute enhancing testing methods and capacity, including total organofluorine screening techniques, to ensure Taiwan’s drinking water remains safe and aligned with global standards.

On 18 June 2025, Taiwan’s authorities hosts an online briefing to guide registrants on preparing and submitting hazard and exposure assessment data for existing chemical substances under the “Regu...

On 18 June 2025, Taiwan’s authorities hosts an online briefing to guide registrants on preparing and submitting hazard and exposure assessment data for existing chemical substances under the “Regulations on Registration of New and Existing Chemicals.”

The first phase of the regulations required 106 existing chemicals to complete standard registration, with most registrants having submitted items 1–7 of Appendix 3 by the end of 2024. The next step, according to Article 18, paragraph 2, is to submit items 8 and 9 of Appendix 4—hazard and exposure assessment data—for standard registrations at Level 2 or above.

To assist registrants, the authorities selected four chemicals as examples:

Antimony Trioxide (CAS 1309-64-4)

Sulfuric Acid (CAS 7664-93-9)

Toluene (CAS 108-88-3)

Zinc Oxide (CAS 1314-13-2)

Registrants are required to confirm hazard assessment report examples by the end of 2025 and complete submission of hazard and exposure information by the end of 2026.

The online session covered deadlines, report confirmation procedures, required data per registration type, and submission methods. Non-registrants of the four substances were also invited to join to understand general data preparation practices.

Event details:

• Date: June 18, 2025

• Time: 10:00–12:00

• Platform: Google Meet

• Resources: Presentation Slides, YouTube Video

Agenda:

• 10:00–10:20: Overview of existing chemical standard registration

• 10:20–11:00: Submission procedures for hazard and exposure assessment data

• 11:00–11:30: Methods for submitting data

• 11:30–12:00: Q&A and discussion

The briefing reinforces Taiwan’s efforts to support chemical registrants in meeting compliance requirements efficiently while ensuring comprehensive hazard and exposure assessments.

On August 8, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor officially amended several provisions of the Regulations on the Registration of New Chemical Substances, aiming to cut down on redundant procedures and make c...

269 (pps (PFAS as . These chemicals are widely used  can persist in the environment os potential risks to to   management  various WincludePFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS are already banned or restrict...

On 5 August 2025, Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announced a draft plan to regulate 269 (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as Concerned Chemical Substances. These chemicals are widely used and can persist in the environment, posing potential risks to human health. Taiwan is following global trends to strengthen chemical safety management. 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has announced stricter controls on several high- risk chemicals, including PFOS, PFOA, nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO), and cycloterpenes. Starting...

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has announced stricter controls on several high- risk chemicals, including PFOS, PFOA, nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO), and cycloterpenes. Starting June 1, 2025, these substances will be listed as toxic or of concern，with new concentration limits and use restrictions. 

PFAS Under Tighter Control 

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are, part of the broader group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , They are known for their persistence in the environment and their ability to accumulate in living organisms., This poses risks to ecosystems and human health. Following international conventions likeIn line with the Stockholm Convention, Taiwan is now regulating over 350 related PFAS compounds. 

Stricter Limits on NP and NPEO 

NP and NPEO, which are classified as endocrine disruptors, have been banned in household cleaning products in Taiwan since 2007. Now, stricter rules will cap their use at 0.1% in cleaning products and high-risk applications, and ban the import of such products. 

Cycloterpenes Ban in Specific Applications 

Due to their toxicity and risk of bioaccumulation, cycloterpenes,  will be banned in antifouling paints, systems, and biocides.

Grace Period and Industry Guidance 

To help businesses transition, the ministry will offer a grace period of one and a half to two years. Officials also encourage industries to find safer alternatives to protect health and the environment. More details are available on the Ministry of Environment’s website or in the Executive Yuan Gazette. 

On 25 April 2025, Taiwan completed its transition to the eighth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 8). Full implementation was achieved...

On 25 April 2025, Taiwan completed its transition to the eighth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 8). Full implementation was achieved through the publication of updated Chinese National Standards (CNS) under the CNS 15030 series. 

The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), led the adoption process, releasing the revised standards in three phases: 

• 24 October 2024: Ten standards covering physical hazards were published. 

• 24 February 2025: Ten standards on health hazards were issued, including the new hazard class for desensitized explosives. 

• 25 April 2025: Two standards addressing environmental hazards and the general rules for classification and labelling were finalized. 

This phased approach aligns Taiwan’s chemical classification and labelling framework with UN GHS 8 and marks a significant upgrade from the previously adopted GHS 4, which had been in force since December 2014. 

Key Updates to the CNS 15030 Standards 

The updated standards introduce several critical changes, including: 

• New Hazard Class: Desensitized explosives (CNS 15030-29) added. 

• Flammable Gases: Category 1 is now subdivided into 1A and 1B, distinguishing pyrophoric and chemically unstable gases. 

• Aerosols: Category 3 introduced along with and a new class name – Aerosol and Chemicals under Pressure. 

• Revised Criteria: Updates to the definitions, classification criteria, and testing guidelines for acute toxicity, skin corrosion/irritation, and serious eye damage/irritation. 

Background 

Taiwan initiated the revision process in 2024, with the draft CNS 15030 standards undergoing public consultation in June of that year. In total, 23 of the 29 CNS 15030 series standards were revised to reflect GHS 8 provisions. The full list of updated standards is now accessible via the CNS Online Portal. 

Previous Implementation 

Taiwan previously implemented GHS 4 through notices issued by the Ministry of Labour and the Environmental Protection Administration in 2014. That version served as the basis for CNS 15030-1 to CNS 15030-28. 

On March 7, 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MoL) announced proposed changes to the regulations for the registration of new chemical substances. A draft version of the updated regulation is now ope...

On March 7, 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor (MoL) announced proposed changes to the regulations for the registration of new chemical substances. A draft version of the updated regulation is now open for public comment. The deadline for submitting comments is 60 days from March 7, 2025.

Current Regulatory Framework

Currently, there are two separate regulatory systems for registering new chemicals: one under the Ministry of Labor (MoL) and another under the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv). Since much of the required data overlaps, the MoL plans to revise its regulation to reduce duplication and make the process more efficient.

Key Proposed Changes

• Mutual Recognition of Registrations: If a company has already registered a new chemical with the MoEnv, it will no longer need to re-register the same substance with the MoL.
• Updated Legal Terminology: The name of the law has been updated from Toxic Chemical Substances Control Act to Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act.
• Removal of Obsolete Transitional Provisions: Two transitional provisions related to older substances are being removed, as their deadlines have already passed.

Companies will still be required to submit core information, including:

• Identification of the chemical
• Details on how it is manufactured and used
• Hazard and safety data
• Toxicological information
• Environmental impact data