tags

Chemical
China
China RoHS: Draft Updated Compliance Management Catalog and Application Exception List Open for Public Comment

On November 3, 2025, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a notice soliciting public comments on the draft Catalog for Compliance Management of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2025 Edition) and the draft List of Applications Exempted from Restricted Substances in the Compliance Management Catalog (2025 Edition). The public consultation period lasts until December 2, 2025.

Mandatory Chinese National Standard GB 44702-2024 Officially Released!

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) issued the 23rd announcement of 2024, approving the release of 20 new mandatory national standards and one amendment to an existing mandatory standard. Among them is the mandatory national standard for the watch industry, GB 44702-2024 "Regulations on the Limit of Harmful Substances in Watch Components in Direct Contact with Human Skin," which will be implemented starting October 1, 2025. All relevant units need to pay close attention to the content of the new standard to ensure that their products comply with the national requirements.

China RoHS Adds Four New Phthalate Restrictions

On June 29, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China) issued the "Announcement on the Approval and Release of 109 National Standards and 4 National Standard Amendments" (National Standard Announcement [2024] No. 14), hereinafter referred to as the "Announcement". The content of the Announcement includes: No.1 amendment to GB/T 26572-2011 "Requirements of Concentration Limits for Certain Restricted Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products", which is a supporting measure for China RoHS. The amendment includes the addition of restrictions on phthalate substances. This amendment will officially come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Global Regulatory Dynamics of PFHxS

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is a highly surface-active perfluorinated compound with chemical properties similar to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Following the ban on PFOS by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, PFHxS has been widely used as a substitute in various products. However, PFHxS is persistent in the environment, capable of long-range transport, and may cause developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. At the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-10), PFHxS, its salts, and related compounds were listed in Annex A of the Convention for elimination, with no exemptions allowed.

China to Simplify Import and Export Control for Certain Products Containing Low Concentration of Triethanolamine

On January 25, 2024, China‘s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued a notice on simplifying the import and export control over mixtures containing low concentrations of triethanolamine, which will take effect on February 1, 2024. According to the notice, products with low concentrations of triethanolamine, including non-medical disinfectants, synthetic detergents, cosmetics, and inks, are no longer subject to the import & export control for triethanolamine (HS code: 2922150000), and triethanolamine mixtures (HS code: 3824999950) listed in the Catalogue of license for dual-use items and technologies.

Hot Topic! Summary of Global Regulatory Controls on Dechlorane Plus (DP)

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an additive flame retardant widely used in polymer materials such as plastics and fibers due to its excellent colorability, thermal stability, outstanding electrical properties, and low smoke emission. However, as significant risks of exposure to humans and the environment associated with DP have been confirmed, various regions globally have initiated actions to control this substance. Many export-oriented electronic product companies have already started supply chain investigations regarding this substance.

CIRS C&K Testing Officially Opens its New Toxicology Laboratory

Hangzhou CIRS C&K Testing Technology Co., Ltd. officially inaugurated its new toxicology laboratory in August. Located in the Tianhe High-tech Industrial Park in the Binjiang District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, this lab is to provide toxicological tests and research services to industries such as cosmetics, medical devices, health products, specialty foods, and pharmaceuticals.

CIRS Group Offers New Solutions to Polymers Stability Tests

The Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No.12) has entered into force since January 1, 2021. In accordance with its supporting document, the Guidelines for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (hereinafter referred to as the “Guidelines”), polymers containing no more than 2% monomers or reactants of new chemical substances or belong to polymers of low concern can apply for records without quantity limitation if they are excluded in exemption circumstances.

All Diesels are Considered as Hazardous Chemicals in China from January 1 2023

On November 7, 2022, the Ministry of Emergency Management, in conjunction with other 9 ministries, released the amendments to the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals 2015. According to the amendments, all diesel fuels, irrespective of their flashpoints, shall be considered as hazardous chemicals and subject to the management of administrative license for hazardous chemicals in China. Previously, only diesel with closed-cup flashpoint <= 60℃ was considered as hazardous chemicals.