Singapore to Ban Formaldehyde in Paints under Environmental Protection and Management Act from January 2026

Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on 20 December 2024, that formaldehyde in paints will be banned under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) from 1 January 2026. The measure aims to protect public health by limiting exposure to formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant.

Key Restrictions

• Interior Paints: The import, manufacture, and sale of interior paints containing ≥ 0.01% w/w formaldehyde will be prohibited.

• Outdoor/Industrial Paints: Outdoor or industrial use paints containing ≥ 0.01% w/w formaldehyde must comply with mandatory labelling requirements.

• Export Exemption: Paints manufactured or imported for re-export are exempt but require a Hazardous Substance Licence.

Compliance and Enforcement

Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers must ensure compliance by 1 January 2026 to avoid penalties under the Environmental Protection and Management Act. Companies are advised to transition to formaldehyde-free alternatives and update product formulations accordingly. Importers and manufacturers must provide test reports on request to demonstrate formaldehyde content below 0.01% w/w. These reports should be from accredited laboratories recognized under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA).

HS Codes and TradeNet Applications

From 1 January 2026, traders will be required to use designated HS and product codes when submitting import and export permit applications via TradeNet. All applications will be subject to the NEA approval process.

Next Steps for Companies

To comply with the upcoming regulation, industry stakeholders should:

• Reformulate products to meet the new limits.

• Ensure proper labelling of applicable products.

• Work with accredited laboratories to verify compliance.

For more details, including labelling requirements (Annex A), accepted test methods (Annex B), and relevant HS and product codes (Annex C), please refer to the official NEA document.