China Regulatory News

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 addi...

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. Accordi...

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.

Update: On 13 August 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) releases draft standard for GB 15258 and reopened public consultation on 14 August 2025 which remain vali...

Update: On 13 August 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) releases draft standard for GB 15258 and reopened public consultation on 14 August 2025 which remain valid till 12 October 2025. China published the notice on MIIT portal. The key revisions include the introduction of a Safety Information QR Code, new rules for small packages and folding labels, reordering of hazard statements, updated simplified label rules, and examples for kit packaging. This time revised GB 15258 standard aligned with the tenth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 10). Prior to enforcement, GB 15258-XXXX permits a one-year transition period from the final draft publication date. More details can be found here.

Original Text:

On 14 September 2024, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced a consultation to revise the national standard on "Regulations on the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels" to align with the ninth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 9). The Ministry released this announcement on the portal of the National Standards Administration and invited stakeholders to comment on it by 14 October 2024. 

After the official publication of the National Standard on the Provisions on the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels, the National Technical Committee for Standardization of Hazardous Chemicals Management will work on its implementation. 

Insights of New Labelling Standard 

This new labelling standard will have the following revised information: 

• Alignment with the technical content of the ninth edition of the United Nations GHS, including hazard classification and precautionary statements. 

• Implementation of the "one enterprise, one product, one code" regulation to meet the needs of national safety supervision of hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the means of transmitting hazardous chemical hazard information needed to be strengthened, and the last mile of hazardous chemical hazard information transmission needed to be opened. 

Previous Update  

Previously China’s National Standards Administration revised the Provisions on the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels in 2009. However, this 2009 version followed GHS 2 while the Ministry has now proposed to align with the provisions of GHS 9. 

Comment Period and Enforcement Date 

Stakeholders are invited to comment on this draft announcement till 14 October 2024. The Ministry has not yet officially announced the enforcement date of the same. 

Update: As per scheduled information, mandatory standard GB 30000.1-2024 becomes effective on 1 August 2025. Now from 1 August 2025 onwards, classification and labelling of chemicals must be applicab...

Update: As per scheduled information, mandatory standard GB 30000.1-2024 becomes effective on 1 August 2025. Now from 1 August 2025 onwards, classification and labelling of chemicals must be applicable as per GB 30000.1-2024 (GHS Rev.8) only. More information can be found here.

Original Text:

On 24 July 2024, GB 30000.1-2024 "Specification for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals—Part 1: General Rules" was officially published on the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information. This updated standard, which aligns with the eighth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 8), will come into force on 1 August 2025 and will replace the existing GB 13690-2009 "General Rules for the Classification and Hazard Communication of Chemicals."

Draft Release and Public Consultation

On 12 March 2024, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft of the revised standard GB 30000.1. This update aims to align China's chemical classification and labelling standards with the UN's GHS 8. Public comments on this draft were invited until 12 April 2024.

Key updates to GB 30000.1

The revised GB 30000.1 introduces significant updates and new categories:

• Terminology and Definitions: Consistency with GHS 8 ensures clear, internationally recognized terminology.
• Hazard Classification: Adds a new category for desensitized explosives, bringing the total number of hazard classes in China to 29.
• Labeling Requirements: Special provisions are made for labeling, particularly for metals and alloys in non-dispersible forms. GHS labels must be used in workplaces, with alternative methods like area-specific labels allowed.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Updated SDS requirements include detailed hazard communication guidelines and cut-off values for different hazard categories.

Exemptions

Certain products, such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics, and pesticide residues in food intended for ingestion, are exempt from these labeling requirements unless workers are likely to be exposed during transport.

Implementation and Compliance

The revised GB 30000.1 will replace the existing GB 13690-2009 standard. Once adopted, it will better align China's chemical safety standards with international practices, improve hazard communication and ensure safer handling and transportation of chemicals within China and in international trade.

The adoption of GB 30000.1 is a significant step in enhancing chemical safety and regulatory compliance in China. By aligning with the UN GHS 8, China is demonstrating its commitment to global safety standards, facilitating smoother international trade and improving overall chemical safety management.

On 30 June 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the final standard of Desensitized Explosives on the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) port...

On 30 June 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the final standard of Desensitized Explosives on the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) portal. MIIT designated new standard GB 30000.30-2025 as Desensitized Explosives. Standard GB 30000.30-2025 refers to the tenth revised edition of the GHS. 

Earlier Update in March 2025 

MIIT previously on 4 March 2025 opened the public consultation for the updated version of Desensitized Explosives. Consultation ended on 11 March 2025. More information can be found here. 

Key Insights from the GB 30000.30-2025 

MIIT has included the revised information in the standard of: 

• Hazard and Precautionary Statements; 

• Signal word; 

• Hazard Pictogram; 

• Classification criteria; 

• Other provisions 

Obligations for Stakeholders 

From 1 July 2026 onwards, all manufacturers and importers of chemicals which classified as desensitized explosives are mandatory to reflect revised information in the labels and safety data sheets (SDS). 

Transition Period and Enforcement Dates 

MIIT has started 1 year transition period for stakeholders to adapt to this standard. GB 30000.30-2025 will come into force on 1 July 2026. 

On June 24, 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released Announcement No. 61 of 2025 to improve the management of cosmetic ingredients and encourage innovation in the cosme...

On June 24, 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released Announcement No. 61 of 2025 to improve the management of cosmetic ingredients and encourage innovation in the cosmetics industry. The notice introduces updates to the Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Ingredients in China (called the “Catalogue”). 

New Ingredients Added After 3-Year Monitoring 
According to the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation, cosmetic ingredients that have been registered, filed, and completed a 3-year safety monitoring period without any safety concerns can be added to the Catalogue. The Catalogue is now divided into two parts: 

• List I: Based on the 2021 version with updates. 
• List II: For newly added ingredients after safety monitoring. 

Updates to List I: Improved Clarity and Standardization

The NMPA has made the following changes to List I: 

• The “maximum historical use level” is no longer shown. 
• Ingredient names (in Chinese or INCI/English) have been standardized. 
• Notes for some ingredients have been updated based on the Cosmetic Safety Technical Standards.

New Additions to List II

Two new ingredients have been added to List II after completing the required safety monitoring: 

• N-Acetylneuraminic Acid (CAS no. 131-48-6) 
• Beta-Alanyl-Hydroxyprolyl-Diaminobutyryl Benzylamide (CAS no. 823202-99-9)

Dynamic Updates from Now On

The Catalogue will be updated regularly based on scientific research, industry needs, and regulatory experience. Updates will no longer be announced by official notices. Instead, the latest version of the Catalogue and explanations for changes will be published on the NMPA website. 

For more details, companies can visit the official notice here   or contact their local environmental authority 

On June 24, 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the dynamic adjustment of the Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Ingredients. This catalogue will now be updated regularly...

On June 24, 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the dynamic adjustment of the Catalogue of Used Cosmetic Ingredients. This catalogue will now be updated regularly and is divided into two parts: List I and List II. 

Two New Ingredients Added to List II 

Two cosmetic ingredients have recently been added to List II: 

• N-Acetylneuraminic Acid (CAS no 131-48-6), registered by Wuhan Zhongke Guanggu Green Biotechnology Co., Ltd. 

• Beta-Alanyl-Hydroxyprolyl-Diaminobutyryl Benzylamide (CAS no 823202-99-9), registered by Shenzhen Vicky Pharmaceutical R&D Co., Ltd. 

Both ingredients have completed a three-year safety monitoring period and were found to meet the requirements of the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation and related policies. As a result, they are now officially included in the list of used cosmetic ingredients. 

Updates to List I: Standardization and Clarifications 

In addition, List I has been updated as follows: 

1. The item “Maximum Historical Use Level” has been removed. 

2. The Chinese or INCI/English names of certain ingredients,  (such as No. 01371 and 01372,) have been standardized. 

3. The remarks for certain ingredients (e.g., No. 04696 and 08970) have been updated in accordance with the Cosmetic Safety Technical Standards. 

For more details, companies can refer to the official notice here or contact their local environmental authority