China Releases 2023 Inventory of Severely Restricted Toxic Chemicals (Updated on Oct 18, 2023)

Updates in the Inventory of Severely Restricted Toxic Chemicals (2023): - Adding DecaBDE and PFOA. - Updating CAS numbers and permitted usages of SCCPs. - Deleting some permitted usages of certain listed chemicals, e.g., PFOS. - Deleting HBCD.

Updates:

By a circular issued on 18 October 2023, the MEE released the Inventory of Severely Restricted Toxic Chemicals (2023), adopting the updates proposed in June. It took effect immediately to replace the 2020 version. If enterprises intend to import or export any of the listed chemicals, they shall apply for the Clearance Notification for Environmental Management on Import/Export of Toxic Chemicals to the MEE, which, upon being verified, shall be submitted by the importer/exporter to the Customs to complete the formalities for import and export.

The English translation of the 2023 Inventory is available on ChemLinked, please click here.

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On June 16, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued a notice to seek public comments on the proposed updates to the Inventory of Severely Restricted Toxic Chemicals. Comments are welcome before June 26, 2023.

Proposed updates

To add decabromobiphenyl ether (DecaBDE), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and their related compounds as severely restricted toxic chemicals, as well as their specific permitted usages.
To delete a phased-out chemical in the inventory, i.e., hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).
To delete some permitted usages previously specified in the inventory for certain chemicals, e.g., PFOS (only the 'usage for the production of fire-fighting foam' is proposed to be retained, and its grace period will be due by December 31, 2023).
To update the CAS numbers and the permitted usages of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). In addition to CAS No. 85535-84-8, 68920-70-7, 71011-12-6, 85536-22-7, 85681-73-8, and 108171-26-2 are to be added.

Background

In order to improve the implementation of the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention and the Rotterdam Convention, as well as to strictly prevent illegal import or export of toxic chemicals, the Inventory of Severely Restricted Toxic Chemicals was devised in 2005. It has been updated many times since its first issuance. The current version of this inventory is the 2020 version, listing 8 types of chemicals including PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, mercury, polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT), etc. In light of the implementation of the List of New Pollutants for Priority Management (2023) and the adoption of listing 5 new POPs under the Stockholm Convention (CL news), the MEE decided to revise the 2020 version of the inventory. Recently, the MEE issued the 2023 draft version to solicit public feedback. Once the draft is adopted and commenced, the 2020 version will be repealed at the same time.