Shandong Province has officially expanded its regulatory oversight of emerging environmental pollutants by adding three new substances to its Key Controlled Emerging Pollutants List. The update was issued on December 26, 2025, by the Shandong Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, together with seven other provincial authorities.
The updated list will take effect on February 1, 2026, and remain valid until January 31, 2031, with provisions for dynamic adjustments.
Regulatory Background
The updated list forms part of the Shandong Province Emerging Pollutant Treatment Work Plan and is based on the National List of Key Controlled Emerging Pollutants (2023 Edition). It reflects both national environmental policy direction and Shandong’s regional industrial and ecological conditions.
The approach follows a “one substance, one policy” principle to enhance targeted risk management for chemicals with significant environmental or human health concerns.
Newly Added Emerging Pollutants
The 2025 Edition Supplementary List introduces three additional substances, all of which are classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention:
- Chlorpyrifos
- Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs)
- UV Absorber 328 (UV-328)
These substances are recognized for their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and ecological or toxicological risks.
Substances Retained from the National Control List
In addition to the newly added chemicals, the Shandong list retains 14 categories of emerging pollutants already covered under the national framework, including:
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and related compounds
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related compounds
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and related substances
- Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
- Decabromodiphenyl ether
- Dechlorane Plus (syn- and anti-isomers)
- Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters
- Dicofol
- Hexachlorobutadiene
- Dichloromethane and chloroform
- Nonylphenol
- Certain antibiotics
Expired exemptions previously allowed under the national list have been removed.
Control Measures for Newly Listed Substances
General Control Requirements
For chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and UV-328, Shandong authorities will implement the following measures:
- Establishment of enterprise lists for producers and users
- Inclusion of relevant companies in key environmental supervision units
- Mandatory cleaner production audits
- Strengthened soil pollution prevention measures, including annual reporting, risk investigations, and control plans where applicable
Targeted Measures for Chlorpyrifos
Additional restrictions apply specifically to chlorpyrifos, including:
- Prohibition of use on vegetables
- Enforcement of strict maximum residue limits in food
- Tightened wastewater discharge standards for pesticide manufacturing facilities
Compliance Impact for Industry
Companies involved in the production, use, or discharge of the newly listed substances should reassess their compliance status and prepare for enhanced supervision. This includes reviewing chemical inventories, updating environmental management systems, and ensuring alignment with cleaner production and soil protection requirements.
Important dates
- List Issued: December 26, 2025
- Effective Date: February 1, 2026
- Valid Until: January 31, 2031
By expanding its Key Controlled Emerging Pollutants List, Shandong Province strengthens local implementation of national and international chemical control commitments. The move underscores increasing regulatory focus on persistent and high-risk chemicals and signals tighter environmental governance for affected industries.
Source: Shandong Expands Pollutant List
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