China Adopts New Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law to Strengthen Full-Lifecycle Chemical Safety Management
Beijing, 27 December 2025
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) has passed the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, marking a major step in strengthening national oversight of chemical safety across planning, production, storage, use, transport, registration and emergency response. The law was adopted at the conclusion of the NPC Standing Committee’s 19th session in Beijing and is scheduled to take effect on 1 May 2026. npc.gov.cn
The new law replaces prior regulations with a dedicated legislative framework designed to reinforce safety governance across the entire lifecycle of hazardous chemicals. It comprises ten chapters and 127 articles addressing risk control, safety responsibilities, information reporting, and legal liabilities, and reflects China’s continued focus on preventing chemical accidents and enhancing public health and environmental protection. Xinhua News
Its adoption took place alongside revisions to other key laws, including updates to the Fisheries Law, Civil Aviation Law, Foreign Trade Law and the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language. In its closing remarks, NPC leadership reaffirmed the importance of meticulous preparation for the fourth annual session of the 14th NPC scheduled for March 2026. State Council of China
Implications for International and Domestic Business
For companies operating in or seeking to enter the China market, the enactment of the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law signals a more structured and enforceable regulatory environment for chemicals and related products. The law’s full-chain safety obligations, enhanced reporting and registration requirements, and heightened penalties for non-compliance are likely to affect supply chain management, product design, labelling and import documentation. Early engagement with compliance strategies will be critical as the law takes effect next year.
What This Means for Your China Market Strategy
As part of preparing your business for the evolving regulatory landscape in China, it may be valuable to explore how this new law impacts:
Chemical safety and compliance frameworks for imported and domestically produced materials
Registration and labelling obligations for hazardous substances
Operational and logistical requirements across production, storage and transport
Risk management, training and safety systems for employees and partners
Further reading
