China Publishes Third Batch of Priority Controlled Substances

On 19 November 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration released the draft “Third Batch of Priority Controlled Substances” for public consultation. This action is part of China’s Action Plan for New Pollutant Management, aiming to strengthen oversight of chemicals posing high environmental and human health risks. The public consultation period closes on 2 December 2025.

Purpose of the Priority Controlled Substances List

The list targets chemicals that:

• Pose serious risks to human health and the environment
• Are persistent, bio accumulative, or highly toxic
• Require enhanced regulatory control
• Support authorities and industry in prioritizing monitoring and risk management

Substances Included in the Third Draft Batch

The draft batch includes 24 high-risk chemicals, used in industries such as:

• Petrochemicals
• Plastics and rubber
• Pharmaceuticals
• Textiles and dyes
• Coatings and pesticides
• Leather and electroplating

The selection is based on properties such as persistence, bioaccumulation, chronic aquatic toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, target organ toxicity, and endocrine disruption.

Proposed Regulatory Measures

For the listed chemicals, authorities may implement:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) — detailed reporting on usage, quantity, and exposure
• Pollutant discharge permit reporting — including production and usage data
• Soil and groundwater protection — installation of leakage prevention devices
• Pollution prevention plans for demolition projects — submission of plans 15 working days prior to dismantling

Implications for Industry

Enterprises manufacturing, storing, transporting, or using these chemicals should:

• Audit and assess chemical inventories for listed substances
• Strengthen environmental protection and compliance management
• Integrate priority substances into EIA and discharge reporting
• Consider safer chemical alternatives to reduce risk and maintain competitiveness

Regulatory Outlook

The draft third batch reflects China’s dynamic chemical risk governance, with periodic updates based on scientific evaluation and industrial hazards. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in public consultation and monitor official updates to ensure compliance and strategic planning.