分类： Policy Compliance

📅 Date: August 19, 2026

📋 Policy Area: International Chemical Compliance

⚠️ Risk Level: Medium

🔍 I. Key Regulatory Updates

1. US EPA Advances TSCA Risk Evaluation for Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)

📌 Event: On August 18, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft risk evaluation for Ethylene Dibromide (CAS 106-93-4), marking a critical phase in the TSCA review process.

• EDB is a solvent and flame retardant precursor widely used in chemical intermediates
• EPA assessment focuses on occupational exposure and environmental release risks
• Following the draft evaluation period, formal risk management measures are expected

⚠️ Affected Businesses: Brominated flame retardant suppliers, solvent intermediate exporters

2. EU REACH Cyclic Siloxane Restrictions Entering Force

📌 Background: In May 2024, the EU adopted new restrictions covering D4, D5, and D6 cyclic siloxanes in cosmetics, personal care products, and consumer goods, expected to take effect after June 6, 2026.

• Target: 90% reduction in cyclic siloxane emissions
• Covered products: Leave-on cosmetics, creams, hair care products, dry cleaning products, waxes, and polishing products

⚠️ Affected Businesses: Silicone material suppliers, personal care ingredient exporters, polymer material manufacturers

3. China GB Standards Implementation Update

📌 Effective July 1, 2026:

• GB 38031-2025 “Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries for Electric Vehicles”: First mandatory requirement for “no fire, no explosion” – applies to all new energy vehicle battery manufacturers
• GB 18580-2025 “Formaldehyde Emission Limits for Interior Decoration Materials” (effective June 1, 2026): E0 grade (≤0.050mg/m³) upgraded from voluntary to mandatory standard

📊 II. Baseline Information

Regulatory Framework	Current Status	Key Thresholds
EU REACH SVHC	248 substances of very high concern	>0.1% triggers SCIP notification
US TSCA	Continuous evaluation of high-priority chemicals	Risk management follows risk evaluation
China GB	New energy battery E0/ENF classification mandatory	Formaldehyde ≤0.050mg/m³

🎯 III. Recommended Actions

1. US Market: Review EDB supply chain; if involved with EDB or downstream products, prepare alternative solutions and compliance documentation in advance
2. EU Market: Verify D4/D5/D6 content in products; ensure compliance after June 2026; update SCIP notifications
3. China Market: EV battery manufacturers must complete GB 38031-2025 compliance before July 1, 2026; wood panel suppliers ensure E0 grade compliance

📌 Summary

No major policy emergencies this week. However, the US EPA’s draft risk evaluation for Ethylene Dibromide and the upcoming EU cyclic siloxane restrictions represent significant progressive regulatory changes. Companies are advised to use the current window to complete compliance self-assessments and avoid being caught off guard when regulations take effect.

Report generated: August 19, 2026 09:15 (Asia/Shanghai)

1. Overview

Monitoring date: August 18, 2026 (Tuesday)

Scope: EU REACH SVHC Candidate List; China GB mandatory/recommended standards (focus); baseline

Overall risk level: Medium

No sudden major policy announcement was detected on this date (2026-08-18). However, within the last 90 days China RoHS has substantially expanded its controlled product scope (from 12 to 33 categories), and several 2026 GB standards have entered into force. Exporters should prioritize supply-chain compliance screening.

2. Key Development — China GB Standards

2.1 China RoHS 2026 Compliance Catalog & Exemption List (recent major change)

In May 2026, MIIT released the Compliance Management Catalog for Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edition) and the Exemption List (2026 Edition).

• Controlled products expanded from 12 categories to 33 categories;
• Four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) added, aligning China RoHS with EU RoHS;
• Supporting limit standard GB/T 26572-2011 Amendment 1 took effect on January 1, 2026, expanding restricted substances from 6 to 10;
• Test method shifted from GB/T 26125 to the GB/T 39560 series.

2.2 Key 2026 GB Standards — Status

Standard	Title	Effective	Status
GB/T 26572-2011 Amendment 1	RoHS restricted substances (4 new phthalates)	2026-01-01	In force
GB 30981.1-2025 / GB 30981.2-2025	Limits of hazardous substances in coatings (building/industrial)	2026-06-01	In force
GB 38031-2025	Safety requirements for EV traction batteries	2026-07-01	In force
GB/T 5149-2026	Magnesium and magnesium alloy powder	2026-11-01	Upcoming

3. EU REACH SVHC Candidate List (Baseline)

• Current total: 250 substances (after the June 2025 update);
• Semi-annual update mechanism (typically June and December);
• No new SVHC additions officially published on this date or within the last 30 days;
• Obligations: if an article contains SVHC > 0.1% (w/w), supply-chain communication is required; > 1 tonne/year triggers ECHA notification.

4. Risk Level & Recommended Actions

Risk level: Medium

1. China RoHS scope screening: Immediately check whether your products fall under the 2026 Edition 33-category catalog; if so, complete conformity assessment and labeling against the 10 restricted substances.
2. Phthalate test switch: Confirm that supply-chain testing for the 4 phthalates (DEHP/BBP/DBP/DIBP) has migrated to the GB/T 39560 method, with records retained.
3. Coating/battery supply chain: For export products involving coatings (GB 30981) and traction batteries (GB 38031), re-verify supplier declarations of conformity.
4. SVHC baseline maintenance: Keep the 250-substance SVHC screening in place and watch for the next update in December 2026.

5. Baseline Record (No Major Change)

No sudden major policy announcement was detected on this monitoring date (2026-08-18). The above reflects the current effective baseline and recent changes summary for compliance decision-making.

Monitoring Overview

• Monitoring date: August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
• Scope: EU REACH SVHC Candidate List; China GB mandatory national standards
• Overall conclusion: No major mandatory changes detected. One early-warning signal identified and recommended for ongoing tracking.

1. Key Early-Warning Signal

EU REACH SVHC — Bisphenol F (BPF) Re-Added to the Intention List

Date: 2026-08-10 (published by ECHA; market disclosure 2026-08-13)
Policy area: EU REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006) — SVHC
Risk level: 🟡 Medium (early-warning signal; no formal obligation triggered yet)

Event details: On 10 August 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) re-added 4,4′-methylenediphenol (Bisphenol F, BPF, CAS 620-92-8) to the SVHC Intention List, with a public consultation planned for February 2027.

Note: BPF was previously on the Intention List (June 2025) and entered public consultation (September 2025), but the proposal was withdrawn in February 2026 and never formally entered the Candidate List. This re-listing after withdrawal signals ECHA’s persistent intent to regulate bisphenol substances.

Impact analysis:

• BPF is widely used as a substitute for Bisphenol A (BPA) in coatings, plastics, adhesives, epoxy resins and other new-material and downstream products. As BPA restrictions widen, BPF usage—and regulatory follow-on risk—may rise.
• This is still at the “intention” stage and does not yet trigger REACH Article 7 notification, Article 33 supply-chain communication, or SCIP database obligations. If the 2027 consultation passes and BPF is formally added to the Candidate List, affected companies must fulfil notification and disclosure duties within six months.
• Consistent with the established trend: BPA, Bisphenol B (BPB) and others are already SVHCs; ECHA continues its “group restriction” assessment of bisphenols. BPF’s inclusion is a continuation of tightening controls across the bisphenol family.

Recommended actions:

1. Supply-chain screening: Immediately screen raw materials, additives, epoxy resins and finished products for BPF; build a BPF content register (threshold 0.1% w/w).
2. BPA-substitution review: If you currently substitute BPA with BPF, assess lower-risk alternatives in parallel to avoid “substitution creating a new risk.”
3. Ongoing tracking: Add BPF to your internal SVHC watch list and set a reminder for the February 2027 consultation milestone.
4. Customer communication: For EU-bound orders, retain REACH compliance-change clauses in contracts to reduce later forced rework costs.

2. Baseline Information (No Major Same-Day Change)

EU REACH SVHC Candidate List:

• Current formal list: 247 entries (last formal update 2025-01-21: 5 new entries + 1 entry revised).
• No formal Candidate List update has occurred in 2026 to date; BPF is only at the intention stage.
• Standing obligations unchanged: SVHC >0.1% w/w in articles triggers supply-chain communication; >0.1% and >1 t/yr per producer/importer triggers ECHA notification; SCIP database notification still required.

China GB mandatory national standards (new-materials relevant, recently/imminently in force):

Standard	Title	Effective	Impact on new-materials firms
GB 38031-2025	Safety Requirements for Power Batteries of Electric Vehicles	2026-07-01	“Strictest-ever battery safety order”: thermal propagation must be “no fire, no explosion”; adds bottom-impact and post-fast-charge safety tests. Battery material/separator/electrolyte suppliers must meet higher safety thresholds
GB 18580-2025	Formaldehyde Emission Limits for Wood-based Panels	2026-06-01	E0 grade upgraded from recommended to mandatory; panel adhesive and resin makers must reformulate
—	Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems (ICV)	2027-01-01 (issued 2026-06-27)	Automotive materials must support functional-safety compliance

Overall baseline: China’s new-materials standards system is accelerating—MIIT reports 500+ new-material standards already published; the 2025–2027 “Action Plan to Upgrade Raw Materials Industry via Standards” will add 100+ new-material standards. Exporters should watch for alignment between domestic and international standards.

3. Conclusion & Action Checklist

• Conclusion: No major mandatory policy change on the day; BPF’s re-listing on the SVHC Intention List is a medium-risk mid-term warning signal.
• Priority actions: ① Complete BPF supply-chain screening; ② Re-review BPA substitution options; ③ Track the February 2027 consultation milestone.

Disclaimer: This report is compiled from publicly available information for compliance reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

Date: August 14, 2026 (Friday)

Monitored domains: EU REACH SVHC Candidate List; China Mandatory GB Standards (plus US EPA TSCA baseline)
Risk level: Low (Ongoing Watch)

1. No Major Same-Day Changes

A review of the EU REACH SVHC Candidate List and China’s mandatory GB standards identified no formally effective major policy changes on August 14, 2026.

2. Recent Marginal Developments to Watch (Not same-day formal changes)

2.1 EU REACH SVHC — 4,4′-Methylenediphenol (BPF, Bisphenol F) Re-listed on SVHC Intention List

• Date: On August 10, 2026, ECHA re-added BPF to the SVHC Intention List.
• Background: BPF first entered the Intention List in June 2025 and a public consultation opened in September 2025, but the proposal was withdrawn in February 2026 and BPF was not formally added to the Candidate List. It has now been re-listed.
• Plan: Public consultation is scheduled to open in February 2027.
• Current Candidate List size: 250 entries (unchanged since the June 2025 update).
• Impact: BPF is widely used in epoxy resins, phenolic resins and coatings within the new materials sector. Once formally added to the Candidate List, it would trigger REACH Article 33 supply-chain communication obligations (mandatory notification where articles contain >0.1% w/w) and SCIP database notification duties.

2.2 China Mandatory GB Standards — Multiple standards now in enforcement phase (baseline)

• GB 30981.1-2025 / GB 30981.2-2025 (Limits of Hazardous Substances in Coatings, Parts 1 & 2): mandatory since June 1, 2026, replacing 7 legacy standards; VOC and phthalates (≤0.1%), lead (≤90 mg/kg), mercury (≤10 mg/kg) limits tightened; oversight has extended to inks/cleaners.
• GB 18580-2025 (Formaldehyde Release Limits for Wood-Based Panels): effective June 1, 2026; E0 grade (≤0.050 mg/m³) becomes a mandatory threshold for the first time.
• GB 38031-2025 (Safety Requirements for Traction Battery of Electric Vehicles): effective July 1, 2026; adds bottom impact, post-fast-charge safety, and thermal propagation (no fire/explosion) tests.

3. Impact Analysis

For exporters: the EU-bound supply chain should add BPF to its SVHC screening plan; domestic Chinese manufacturers must ensure conformity verification and reflect the above GB standards in product testing reports. Compliance thresholds for coatings, wood-based panels, and power battery supply chains have broadly risen; SMEs face near-term cost pressure.

4. Recommended Actions

1. Immediately: Add BPF to the REACH SVHC high-risk substance screening list; build supplier questionnaires and alternative-material assessment; prepare to respond quickly when the February 2027 consultation opens.
2. Immediately: Verify in-production coatings/wood-panel/battery products have obtained GB 30981 / GB 18580 / GB 38031 test reports and declarations; close gaps by deadline.
3. Ongoing: Subscribe to ECHA SVHC formal updates (typically January and June each year) and China’s national standards announcements; this monitoring will track them continuously.

5. Baseline Information

• EU REACH SVHC Candidate List: 250 entries (as of June 2025)
• Recently enforced China GB standards: GB 30981.1/.2-2025, GB 18580-2025, GB 38031-2025 (all in force)
• US EPA TSCA: no major 2026 rule for new materials/chemicals; baseline maintained