News Details

On June 11, 2026, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) officially launched a public consultation on the revised Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances. The proposed amendments aim to align China's chemical management framework with the recently adopted Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China, while also strengthening the prevention and control of environmental risks associated with new chemical substances.

Stakeholders, including industry associations, enterprises, government bodies, research institutions, and individuals, are invited to submit comments on the draft regulation through the official consultation channels provided by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Background: Strengthening Chemical Risk Management Under the Environmental Code

The revision follows the adoption of the Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China by the National People's Congress in March 2026. The Environmental Code will come into force on August 15, 2026, introducing a dedicated chapter on chemical substance pollution risk management and establishing a stronger legal basis for the registration and control of new chemical substances.

China has maintained a new chemical substance registration system for more than two decades:

• 2003: Initial implementation of the Measures on Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances.
• 2010: The first major revision was issued by the former Ministry of Environmental Protection.
• 2020: Adoption of the current Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12).
• 2026: Proposed revision to reflect the requirements of the Environmental Code and emerging pollution control policies.

The system serves as a preventive mechanism designed to evaluate environmental risks before the manufacture or import of new chemical substances, helping to prevent potential new pollutants from entering the market and the environment.

Key Objectives of the Proposed Revision

According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the draft revision seeks to:

• Implement the requirements of the Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China.
• Strengthen source-level environmental risk prevention and control.
• Support China’s broader management of new pollutants.
• Enhance regulatory oversight of new chemical substances.
• Clarify legal responsibilities and compliance obligations.
• Optimize registration procedures and administrative efficiency.

Major Changes Proposed in the Draft Measures

The draft regulation consists of five chapters and 47 articles, covering the full lifecycle of new chemical substance registration and post-registration management.

1. Adjustment of Registration Applicants and Scope

Revisions include:

• Clarification of registration applicants and eligible registrants.
• Updated scope of substances subject to registration.
• Inclusion of substances subject to new-use environmental management under the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China.
• Alignment with the Environmental Code of the People’s Republic of China.

These updates aim to clarify who must register and which activities fall within the regulatory scope.

2. Optimization of Registration Categories and Procedures

Key refinements include:

• Introduction of two registration types: regular registration and simplified registration.
• Updated application requirements and evaluation criteria.
• Defined review and decision-making timelines.
• Rules for certificate modification, cancellation, and revocation.

The goal is to improve administrative efficiency while maintaining environmental protection standards.

3. Enhanced Post-Registration Management

Strengthened requirements focus on:

• Enterprise responsibilities for implementing pollution risk control measures.
• Annual reporting obligations for new chemical substance activities.
• First activity reporting requirements.
• Supply chain information transmission obligations.
• Environmental supervision and compliance monitoring.

4. Information Protection and Transparency Mechanisms

The revised framework addresses:

• Protection of confidential business information.
• Procedures for requesting information protection
• Public disclosure of registration-related information.
• Risk communication among stakeholders.

It aims to balance confidentiality with environmental and public health transparency.

5. Legal Liabilities

The draft clarifies responsibilities and penalties for:

• Registrants and regulated enterprises
• Testing laboratories providing registration data
• Technical reviewers and evaluation experts
• Non-compliance with registration and reporting obligations

Broader Context: China's New Pollutant Control Strategy

The revision is part of China's broader strategy to address emerging environmental contaminants and establish a coordinated system for new pollutant management.

The authorities emphasize that the strengthened registration system is a key preventive tool for controlling environmental risks at the source and supporting sustainable industrial development.

Public Consultation Period

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment is accepting comments on the draft Measures until July 12, 2026.

The consultation package includes:

• Draft Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (Revised Draft).
• Explanatory Notes to the Revised Draft.
• List of Organizations Invited for Consultation.

Following the consultation period, the MEE will review stakeholder feedback before finalizing the revised regulation.