China’s new Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law took effect on May 1, 2026, and signals a more integrated, lifecycle-based approach to chemical regulation. For companies making, importing, selling, using, storing, or transporting chemicals in China, the message is clear: compliance expectations are becoming more formalised, more digital, and more difficult to treat as a narrow EHS issue.

China formulated the Conformity Management Catalog for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edition).

China decided to conduct random inspections on certain import and export commodities not subject to statutory inspection, effective June 1, 2026.

On 28 April 2026, the General Office of China's Ministry of Emergency Management issued a notice on effectively carrying out safety supervision work for five hazardous chemicals, including 3-chloropropyne, and released the classification information table for these five hazardous chemicals alongside the notice.

GB 21668-2025 Safety Technical Specifications of Vehicles for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods was issued on October 5, 2025.

On April 16, 2026, China's Ministry of Emergency Management and nine other departments jointly issued Announcement No. 3 of 2026. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals, it was decided to include five chemicals into the Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals (2015 Edition). The Ministry of Emergency Management will accordingly supplement and improve the Classification Information Table for Hazardous Chemicals.

China organized the drafting of amendment drafts (soliciting comments) for two mandatory national standards.

China National Notification and Enquiry Center published the draft of Hazardous Properties Inspection Code of Dangerous Goods-General Specifications.

The release of the Law on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals prompted more companies to pay attention to identification.

The Code significantly increases the maximum fine to 2 million yuan.