News Details

On 4 August 2026,  China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announced the latest update to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC) by adding 486 chemical substances, including 4 substances meeting the inventory inclusion criteria and 482 previously registered new chemical substances. The update was issued in accordance with the Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (Ministry of Ecology and Environment Order No. 12) and further expands the national inventory of existing chemicals.

China Adds 486 Chemical Substances to the IECSC

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) has officially released Announcement No. 40 of 2026, confirming the inclusion of additional substances in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC).

The update was made under the requirements of the Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (Ministry of Ecology and Environment Order No. 12) and its supporting regulatory documents.

The announcement includes:

• 4 chemical substances that meet the requirements for direct inclusion in the IECSC (2026 Batch 1, 14th overall batch);
• 482 registered new chemical substances that have fulfilled the conditions for inclusion in the IECSC (2026 Batch 1, 16th overall batch).

What Does This Mean for Companies?

The latest IECSC update is significant for manufacturers, importers, and downstream users of chemical substances in China.

Key implications include:

• Companies should verify whether their substances have been added to the updated IECSC.
• Once a substance is listed in the IECSC, it is generally regarded as an existing chemical substance under China's new chemical substance regulatory framework.
• Future compliance obligations for these substances may differ from those applicable to new chemical substances, depending on their intended manufacture or import activities.
• Businesses planning to place chemicals on the Chinese market should continue monitoring IECSC updates to ensure regulatory compliance.

Official Documents Released

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has published two accompanying lists:

• 4 Chemical Substances Added to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (2026 Batch 1, 14th Overall Batch).
• 482 Registered New Chemical Substances Added to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (2026 Batch 1, 16th Overall Batch).

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the official substance lists to determine whether their chemicals are included in this inventory update.