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On 28 August 2025, The National Health Commission of the China (NHC) notifies formally the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft national food safety standard for vanillin, a widely used food additive. The notification was issued by the National Health Commission (NHC) under the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS).

The proposed standard, titled National Food Safety Standard of the P.R.C.: Food Additive Vanillin, outlines the physical and chemical specifications for vanillin, which is primarily produced through chemical synthesis. The requirements are based on sampling and testing of vanillin currently available in China’s domestic market.

The measure aims to enhance food safety and aligns with international benchmarks, specifically the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA, 2001) under the Codex Alimentarius Commission. China confirmed that the proposed regulation conforms to this international standard.

All trading partners may be affected by the change, as vanillin is a common ingredient in food processing and flavoring. The draft standard is available in Chinese and spans five pages. Interested parties are invited to submit comments within 60 days, with the deadline set for October 27, 2025.

The proposed adoption and enforcement dates are yet to be determined. Feedback can be directed to the WTO/SPS National Notification and Enquiry Center of China via telephone at +86 10 5795 4645/4642 or by email at sps@customs.gov.cn.

On August 20, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announces an extension for submitting applications to delay the public disclosure of chemical substance labeling information.

According to the Regulations on the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12) and the associated Guidelines for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances, chemical substances that obtained an environmental management registration certificate before December 31, 2020, as well as substances listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China prior to the enactment of the Regulations, have their labeling information protected until a maximum of December 31, 2025.

Holders of registration certificates may apply to postpone the public disclosure of this information for up to five years. Applications must be submitted at least six months before the end of the current protection period, along with a justification for the extension.

The MEE now extends the acceptance period for such applications until September 15, 2025. Certificate holders who wish to apply should prepare the necessary supporting documents and submit them through the online registration system for new chemical substances.

For questions or feedback, please contact the Ministry at 010-84665463 / 84636376.