On October 24, 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the revised Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 40). Taking effect immediately, Order 40 officially repeals Order 12, marking the completion of a systematic overhaul aligned with China's overarching Ecology and Environment Code. Key product exemptions—including pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, cosmetics, and food—remain in full effect.

At a Glance: China’s MEE approved in principle revised rules for new chemical substance registrations and pollutant discharge permitting. Awaiting final ministerial signature, the updates aim to streamline compliance, strengthen source control, and reform oversight. Businesses should audit substance inventories, track transitional registration requirements, and prepare for updated permitting classifications once finalized.

On September 21, 2026, China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) issued a draft revision of the Measures for the Administration of Hazardous Chemicals Operation Permit for public comment. Aligned with the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law, it updates operation modes, establishes two-level municipal/county licensing, and adopts electronic permits. Significantly, the draft strictly enforces compliance by imposing substantial fines ranging up to RMB 500,000 for unlicensed operations, illegal procurement, and safety violations.

MIIT's draft GB 15258 cuts safety code, restores 8 labels, raises threshold to 500 mL, replaces GB 15258-2009 after 12 months.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) management is a comprehensive compliance system rather than mere paperwork. Driven by global GHS standards, compliance requires localized SDS authoring, precise ingredient disclosure, and accurate transport classifications. Even non-hazardous goods, foods, cosmetics, or metals may require safety documentation depending on processing risks and local regulations.

On August 7, 2026, MIIT opened a public consultation on two mandatory national standards for the classification and labelling of flammable liquids and oxidizing solids.

From August 15, 2026, China has ceased new chemical substance filing and converted all former filing matters into registration under the simplified registration procedure.

China’s MEE Announcement No. 40 of 2026 added 486 substances to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC), including 482 previously under Order No. 7 regular registration. While transitioning these chemicals off new-substance registration, roughly 40% remain subject to strict new-use management rules, necessitating immediate compliance verification.

China’s chemical inventory of existing chemical substances is IECSC, which stands for the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances Produced or Imported in China (IECSC). There are two parts of IECSC, public part and classified/confidential part. Companies can check out the public part by themselves and shall only enquire Authorities for classified/confidential part. If substances are not listed in the public part, companies have to submit a formal enquiry to SCC to check whether a substance is listed in the confidential part. The enquiry costs 3000 RMB.

Effective August 15, 2026, China's MEE will eliminate new chemical filings to align with the Ecological and Environmental Code. Enterprises must submit simplified registration applications instead. Furthermore, foreign entities can no longer apply directly or modify certificates, making local Chinese importers the eligible applicants going forward.