Introduction to China REACH
The main legislations governing the chemical market in China is Order No. 12 of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances, also known as MEE Order No.12. This regulation came into force on 1 January 2021 and the previous regulation (MEP Order No.7) was simultaneously repealed.
Anyone who wants to research, produce, import, or process new chemical substances in China has to register before carrying out their activities. They are:
- Chinese manufactures or importers
- Chinese processing users
- Foreign companies who wish to sell new chemical substances in China.
Chinese manufacturers and importers can register the chemical substances themselves. Overseas enterprises, however, must appoint a Chinese agent (Only Representative (OR)) who will share the legal responsibility with them to fulfil the registration and post-registration obligations. The OR should be acknowledgeable and qualified to carry out the registration activities.
Regulatory briefing
China maintains two main chemical inventories: the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances Produced or Imported in China (IECSC) and the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC).
News
China Submits WTO Notification on Draft Standard for Flammable Liquids and Oxidizing Solids
On 8 September 2026, China notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) of two draft national standards covering the classification and labelling flammable liquids and...
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China Releases Approval Draft of Revised Chemical Safety Label Standard
On 11 September 2026, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the approval draft and explanatory statement for the revision of GB 15258, Rules for Preparation of Chemical Safety...
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Downloadable Content
- Mee Order 12 China REACH Actionable Summary
- Agrochemical Regulation Actionable Summary
- Food Contact Material Actionable Summary
- Medical Device Regulation Actionable Summary
- Cosmetics Actionable Summary
- Annual Regulatory Summary 2022 - China
- Law On The Prevention And Control Of Environmental Pollution By Solid Wastes-Chinese
- Work Safety Law Of The People’s Republic Of China-Chinese
- Law On The Prevention And Control Of Atmospheric Pollution-Chinese
- Environmental Protection Law Of China-Chinese
- Regulations On The Safety Management Of Hazardous Chemicals-Chinese
- Regulation On Pesticide Administration-Chinese
- Regulations On The Supervision And Administration Of Cosmetics-Chinese
- Measures For The Environmental Management Registration Of New Chemical Substances-China
- Inventory Of Existing Chemical Substances In China IECSC-Chinese
- Catalogue Of Hazardous Chemicals 2015 Edition-Chinese
- Guidance On The Compilation Of Safety Data Sheets For Chemical Productsgb/t 17519-Chinese
- General Rules For Preparation Of Precautionary Labels For Chemicals15258/2009-Chinese
- Specification For Classification And Labelling Of Chemicals GB30000-Chinese