China Regulatory News

On 30 September 2025, the MEE Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Technology Center, together with China Environmental Publishing Group, announces that the first training session on standardized haza...

On 30 September 2025, the MEE Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Technology Center, together with China Environmental Publishing Group, announces that the first training session on standardized hazardous waste management will be held in Nanjing from 12 to 14 November 2025.

The training aims to strengthen the implementation of China’s Solid Waste Pollution Prevention and Control Law and related policies, while enhancing the compliance level of hazardous waste generators and disposal units. Topics will include the latest updates on hazardous waste management policies, classification and identification, transfer and reporting, exemption policies, and technologies for waste utilization and treatment.

This initiative reflects China’s ongoing efforts to integrate chemical and waste lifecycle management within the MEE’s broader environmental risk control framework. The event is organized by the same technical center responsible for new chemical substance registration (MEE Order No. 12), highlighting the connection between chemical management and hazardous waste governance.

Participants will include chemical and pharmaceutical enterprises as well as local environmental authorities, making this a valuable platform to understand current compliance expectations and explore potential collaboration opportunities within China’s regulatory landscape.

From September 8-12 2025, the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) was held in Beijing. During this session, the draft amendment to China’s Food ...

From September 8-12 2025, the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) was held in Beijing. During this session, the draft amendment to China’s Food Safety Law was submitted for its second review.

Food safety remains a critical concern for public health. Four years after the previous revision, the law is being updated to address new challenges arising from the rapid development of the food industry. This round of amendments adopts a targeted “small-scale” approach, focusing on urgent issues such as the regulation of road transport for key bulk liquid foods and stricter penalties for violations.

Key Provisions in the Draft

The second draft introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the key bulk liquid foods catalogue, allowing authorities to update it as needed. It also strengthens legal responsibilities for:

• Forging, altering, or using falsified transport records and cleaning certificates for transport containers.

• Failing to fulfill inspection and verification duties related to bulk liquid food road transport.

The draft clarifies that China will implement a licensing system for road transport of key bulk liquid foods. It specifies the obligations of senders, receivers, and transport operators. Road transport operators without proper transport permits will face legal consequences, while stricter penalties apply to those who do not comply with transport standards or falsify documentation.

Focus on Food Safety and Accountability

Officials said the amendments aim to improve traceability, enhance supervision, and protect consumer health by targeting high-risk areas in food transport.

On September 8, 2025, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) conducted the second reading of the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law. The revised draft clarifies that ...

On September 8, 2025, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) conducted the second reading of the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law. The revised draft clarifies that China will establish and improve a national management system for hazardous chemicals catalogues.

According to the draft, the catalogue of hazardous chemicals will be determined and published by the Emergency Management Department of the State Council  together with other relevant ministries. These include the ministries responsible for industry and information technology, public security, ecology and environment, transport, agriculture, health, customs, market regulation, railways, and civil aviation. The catalogue will be based on established standards for the identification and classification of chemical hazards and will be updated when necessary.

Whistleblower Protections and Incentives

The second draft also enhances provisions for public reporting and accountability mechanisms. It affirms that any organization or individual has the right to report violations or hidden safety risks related to hazardous chemicals to the competent authorities. Local governments at county level or above are required to reward those who make significant contributions in reporting and to keep whistleblower information strictly confidential.

Road Transport Safety Requirements

New requirements for the transport of hazardous chemicals are also included in the draft:

• Vehicles transporting hazardous chemicals must not obscure or remove warning signs.

• Vehicles must be equipped with satellite positioning and monitoring systems that meet national and industry standards, and these devices must remain functional without tampering or signal shielding.

• Drivers must strictly comply with road traffic safety laws, with limits set on night driving: no more than two consecutive hours without a break, and each rest stop must last at least 20 minutes.

Strengthening Oversight and Accountability

The second draft underscores China’s commitment to strengthening oversight of hazardous chemicals, with an emphasis on preventing transport-related risks and reinforcing the accountability system.

On 10 September 2025, the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law enters its second review at the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) on September 8. Th...

On 10 September 2025, the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law enters its second review at the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) on September 8. The law was first reviewed at the committee’s 13th session.

During the deliberations, lawmakers and the public proposed strengthening safety provisions in several areas:

• Whistleblowing and reporting: The draft now specifies that any organization or individual has the right to report violations or hidden dangers related to hazardous chemicals to relevant authorities. Governments at the county level and above are required to reward those who make significant contributions and strictly protect their identities.

• Wider institutional oversight: Beyond chemical enterprises, entities such as schools, research institutes, medical facilities, and testing organizations may also use hazardous chemicals. The draft adds provisions requiring relevant government departments to strengthen oversight of these institutions.

• Road transport safety: Recognizing the high risks of transporting hazardous chemicals, the draft includes new measures: vehicles carrying hazardous materials must not obscure or remove warning signs, and they must be equipped with satellite positioning devices that meet national and industry standards. These devices must remain functional, and tampering—such as shielding signals—is prohibited.

The revised draft reflects lawmakers’ emphasis on improving supervision and accountability to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

On August 28, 2025, China’s national standardization authorities officially published the 18th batch of national standards for 2025. Among them are several standards directly relevant to chemic...

On August 28, 2025, China’s national standardization authorities officially published the 18th batch of national standards for 2025. Among them are several standards directly relevant to chemical management, fire suppression chemicals, and hazardous substance restrictions. The full texts of these standards are now accessible through the national standards system.

Fire Suppression Chemicals

Key standards introduced for fire protection and suppression include:

• Foam Extinguishing Agents (GB 15308-2025)
• Dry Powder Fire Suppression Systems and Components (GB 16668-2025)
• Hexafluoropropane Fire Extinguishing Agent (GB 45944-2025)
• Remote-Controlled Fire Monitor Systems – General Technical Conditions (GB 19157-2025)

These standards define chemical composition, performance requirements, and safe use, providing guidance for the production and application of fire suppression systems.

Grain Storage and Other Chemical Agents

• Standards for Management and Use of Grain Storage Chemical Agents (GB 46032-2025)

This standard specifies requirements for safe management, usage methods, and protective measures when applying chemicals in grain storage.

Hazardous Substance Limits in Materials and Products

Two new standards set limits on hazardous substances in products and materials:

• Limit Values for Leachable Hazardous Metals in Wall Materials (GB 46040-2025)
• Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (GB 26572-2025)

These standards set limits on hazardous chemicals to ensure products comply with environmental and safety regulations.

Strengthening Chemical and Environmental Safety

The release of these updates reflect China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen chemical safety, environmental protection, and hazardous substance control in both industrial and consumer sectors.

On 28 August 2025, The National Health Commission of the China (NHC) notifies formally the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft national food safety standard for vanillin, a widely used food addi...

On 28 August 2025, The National Health Commission of the China (NHC) notifies formally the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft national food safety standard for vanillin, a widely used food additive. The notification was issued by the National Health Commission (NHC) under the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS).

The proposed standard, titled National Food Safety Standard of the P.R.C.: Food Additive Vanillin, outlines the physical and chemical specifications for vanillin, which is primarily produced through chemical synthesis. The requirements are based on sampling and testing of vanillin currently available in China’s domestic market.

The measure aims to enhance food safety and aligns with international benchmarks, specifically the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA, 2001) under the Codex Alimentarius Commission. China confirmed that the proposed regulation conforms to this international standard.

All trading partners may be affected by the change, as vanillin is a common ingredient in food processing and flavoring. The draft standard is available in Chinese and spans five pages. Interested parties are invited to submit comments within 60 days, with the deadline set for October 27, 2025.

The proposed adoption and enforcement dates are yet to be determined. Feedback can be directed to the WTO/SPS National Notification and Enquiry Center of China via telephone at +86 10 5795 4645/4642 or by email at sps@customs.gov.cn.

On August 20, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announces an extension for submitting applications to delay the public disclosure of chemical substance labeling information. Accordi...

On August 20, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announces an extension for submitting applications to delay the public disclosure of chemical substance labeling information.

According to the Regulations on the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12) and the associated Guidelines for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances, chemical substances that obtained an environmental management registration certificate before December 31, 2020, as well as substances listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China prior to the enactment of the Regulations, have their labeling information protected until a maximum of December 31, 2025.

Holders of registration certificates may apply to postpone the public disclosure of this information for up to five years. Applications must be submitted at least six months before the end of the current protection period, along with a justification for the extension.

The MEE now extends the acceptance period for such applications until September 15, 2025. Certificate holders who wish to apply should prepare the necessary supporting documents and submit them through the online registration system for new chemical substances.

For questions or feedback, please contact the Ministry at 010-84665463 / 84636376.