Official MEM Announcement: Five Chemicals Added to China's Dangerous Chemicals Catalogue
Effective Immediately, Impacting Global Procurement, Warehousing, and Transportation of Related Materials
To Our Valued Customers, Partners, and Industry Colleagues,
Key Information
The Ministry of Emergency Management of the People's Republic of China (MEM), in conjunction with nine other ministries including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the Ministry of Transport, issued Joint Announcement No. 3 of 2026 on April 16, 2026. The announcement states that, effective immediately, the following five chemicals have been formally added to the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals (2015 Edition):
Implications for the International Supply Chain and Recommended Actions
This regulatory update carries immediate legal force. For global purchasers sourcing products containing or consisting of these substances from China, as well as for logistics providers handling their transportation, this signifies:
Comprehensive Upgrade of Transportation Requirements
- Ocean Freight: Shipments must strictly comply with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for proper classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and stowage. The shipper must provide a compliant Dangerous Goods Declaration and Container/Vehicle Packing Certificate.
- Air Freight: Operations must adhere to the International Air Transport Association's Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR), meeting more stringent packaging, testing, and documentation requirements.
- Domestic Transportation (Within China): The inland transportation leg from the Chinese factory to the port of export/airport must also utilize carriers licensed for dangerous goods transport, complying with China's domestic regulations for road/rail transport of dangerous goods.
Compliance Verification Across the Supply Chain
Purchasers
Immediately review your product lists and raw material Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS) to confirm if any of the five chemicals are involved. It is imperative to notify your Chinese suppliers of this regulatory change.
Suppliers
Must promptly update the SDS/MSDS for the relevant chemicals and implement hazardous chemical management requirements in production and warehousing operations.
Logistics Providers
Ensure operational teams are aware of this addition to the catalogue and conduct rigorous cargo screening upon receipt. This prevents the severe consequences of misdeclaring dangerous goods as general cargo, which can lead to significant delays, fines, rejection, or even safety incidents.
Conclusion and Recommendations
China's regulations on chemical safety management are continuously being refined and dynamically updated. The addition of these five chemicals to the Hazardous Chemicals Catalogue is a significant measure to enhance safety supervision across the entire supply chain.
We strongly advise all relevant parties to:
- Immediately initiate an internal review process to determine supply chain impact.
- Maintain close communication with your Chinese suppliers and logistics partners to ensure end-to-end compliance, from documentation preparation to physical shipment.
- Engage a freight forwarder proficient in dangerous goods logistics and well-versed in the latest Chinese regulations to mitigate risks and ensure the smoothness and security of your supply chain.
Should you have any specific questions regarding this regulatory change or require professional support for the international transport of dangerous goods, please do not hesitate to contact us.