Singapore Adds Chlorpyrifos and Tightens Organophosphate Controls Under EPMA Hazardous Substances Regime

Singapore, November 2025. Singapore has finalized amendments to the Environmental Protection and Management Act 1999 (EPMA), updating the Second Schedule (Part I) to bring chlorpyrifos expressly under hazardous-substance control, refresh the entry for paraquat and its salts, and substantially expand the category for “phosphorus compounds used as pesticides.” The measure was adopted on 12 August 2025, published on 27 August 2025, and enters into force on 27 February 2026. Once effective, importers, manufacturers, and distributors of the listed chemicals, and products containing them, must obtain the relevant hazardous substance (HS) licence/permit for import, export, sale, storage, use, and transport.

What Changes in the Second Schedule

• New explicit listing for chlorpyrifos. “Chlorpyrifos” is added as a standalone hazardous substance entry following “Chlorosulphonic acid.”
• Updated paraquat entry. The previous line is replaced to maintain coverage of “Paraquat; its salts.”
• Expanded organophosphate category. The generic line “Phosphorus compounds used as pesticides” is replaced by a detailed, illustrative list of insecticidal/acaricidal organophosphates, including (but not limited to): Chlorpyrifos, Methamidophos, Methyl-parathion, Monocrotophos, Parathion, Phosphamidon, Trichlorfon, Acephate, Bromophos, Iodofenphos, Malathion, Pirimiphos-methyl, Temephos, Tetrachlorvinphos. The amendment also codifies specific exceptions:
  • Preparations containing ≤ 0.5% w/w dichlorvos and not containing any other phosphorus pesticide;
  • Materials impregnated with dichlorvos (no other phosphorus pesticide) for slow release;
  • Preparations containing ≤ 1% w/w azamethiphos and not containing any other phosphorus pesticide.

Implementation and Compliance

NEA’s WTO TBT addendum confirms the adoption, publication, and commencement dates and reiterates that affected operators must secure HS licences/permits once the regulations take effect on 27 February 2026. The final texts are available via Singapore’s legislation portal and will appear in the Second Schedule of the EPMA.

Outlook for Industry

The update tightens Singapore’s oversight of organophosphate pesticides, aligning controls with current risk profiles and market practice. Companies handling chlorpyrifos, paraquat (and salts), or the specified organophosphates, including their preparations and impregnated materials, should map inventories against the revised Second Schedule, confirm HS-licensing needs across import/export, storage, use, and transport, and adjust supply and labelling documentation ahead of the February 2026 commencement.