China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), together with the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, has officially released the Priority Control Chemicals List (Third Batch). The announcement was made in December 2025 and represents another key step in China’s strategy to manage chemicals that pose potential risks to human health and the environment.
The updated list forms part of China’s broader regulatory framework for controlling emerging pollutants and strengthening lifecycle-based chemical risk management.
Regulatory Background and Objectives
The Priority Control Chemicals List is a core instrument under China’s New Pollutants Control Action Plan. Its purpose is to identify chemical substances that require enhanced oversight and to guide authorities and enterprises in applying targeted risk prevention and control measures.
By regularly updating the list, regulators aim to ensure that chemical management policies remain aligned with scientific evidence and environmental protection goals.
Authorities Responsible for the List
The third batch of the Priority Control Chemicals List was jointly prepared by:
- Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) – responsible for environmental supervision and chemical risk management
- National Center for Disease Control and Prevention – providing expertise on health risk assessment
This coordinated approach reflects China’s integrated management of environmental and public health risks associated with chemicals.
Features of the Third Batch
Chemicals Subject to Priority Management
The newly released list identifies additional chemical substances assessed as having higher potential risks to ecosystems or human health. These substances will now receive increased regulatory attention across their production, use, and disposal stages.
Emphasis on Risk Prevention and Control
For chemicals included in the list, relevant authorities and enterprises are expected to:
- Identify key stages in the chemical lifecycle where risks may arise
- Apply existing regulatory and technical control measures
- Reduce environmental emissions and human exposure wherever feasible
The list is designed to guide risk mitigation efforts rather than impose immediate bans.
Implementation at the Local Level
Provincial ecological and environmental authorities, in coordination with disease control agencies, are required to incorporate the third batch of the list into local supervision and enforcement activities. Enterprises involved in listed chemicals are encouraged to proactively review compliance obligations and strengthen internal chemical management practices.
Implications for Businesses
The release of the third Priority Control Chemicals List indicates:
- Continued tightening of China’s chemical risk governance
- Increased scrutiny of chemicals with long-term environmental or health impacts
- Growing importance of lifecycle-based chemical management and risk assessment
Companies operating in or supplying to China should assess whether any listed substances are present in their portfolios and prepare for potential follow-up regulatory measures.
With the publication of the Third Batch of the Priority Control Chemicals List, China continues to advance its national agenda on chemical risk control and emerging pollutant management. The list serves as an important early-warning and guidance tool for industry, supporting proactive compliance and environmental protection.
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