News Details

On May 28, 2026,  the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China officially announced the Compliance Management Catalogue for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edition) together with the corresponding Exemption List for Restricted Substance Applications (2026 Edition). The measures form part of China’s RoHS framework and further strengthen the control and substitution of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. 

Key Regulatory Developments 

The new measures were developed in collaboration between several Chinese government authorities to implement the requirements of the Environmental Code of the People's Republic of China and the Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Order No. 32 of 2016). 

The announcement was jointly organized by: 

• Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China; 

• National Development and Reform Commission; 

• Ministry of Finance; 

• Ministry of Ecology and Environment; 

• Ministry of Commerce; 

• General Administration of Customs of China; 

• State Administration for Market Regulation; and 

• National Disease Control and Prevention Administration. 

The new catalogue and exemption list entered into force upon publication of the announcement on May 28, 2026. 

Main Compliance Requirements 

Products included in the Compliance Management Catalogue (2026 Edition) must comply with the applicable restrictions for the following ten hazardous substances, in accordance with the implementation schedule specified in the catalogue: 

• Lead (Pb); 

• Mercury (Hg); 

• Cadmium (Cd); 

• Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)); 

• Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs); 

• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs); 

• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP); 

• Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP); 

• Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP); and 

• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP). 

The controlled products will also fall within the scope of China's conformity assessment system for the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. 

Application of Exemptions 

Where the use of restricted substances falls within the scope of the Exemption List for Restricted Substance Applications (2026 Edition), manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders may apply the corresponding exemption requirements specified in the list. 

This exemption mechanism is intended to facilitate the gradual substitution of hazardous substances while taking into account current technological and industrial limitations. 

Replacement of Previous Requirements 

With the implementation of the 2026 editions: 

• The First Batch Compliance Management Catalogue for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, issued under Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Announcement No. 15 of 2018, is repealed. 

• The previous version of the corresponding Exemption List is also abolished. 

Impact on Industry 

Manufacturers, importers, exporters, and suppliers of electrical and electronic products intended for the Chinese market should review whether their products fall within the updated catalogue’s product categories and verify their compliance with the newly applicable substance restrictions and conformity assessment requirements. 

The release of the 2026 editions represents another significant step in the continued development of China's Restriction of Hazardous Substances regulatory framework, reinforcing the country's commitment to reducing hazardous substances at the source.