New Materials Industry Policy Monitor Daily | August 22, 2026

1. Report Overview

Report Date: August 22, 2026 (Saturday)
Policy Areas: EU REACH SVHC | China GB Standards | US EPA TSCA
Overall Risk Level: Medium
Conclusion: No abrupt major new rules took effect across the three key sources today. However, several compliance milestones require close attention: China’s new national standard for NMP was officially released; the US EPA final SNUR for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is approaching effectiveness; and comment periods for several proposed SNURs close in late August. Exporters should prioritize near-deadline items.

2. China GB Standards — Risk: Medium

GB/T 27563-2026 “N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone for Industrial Use” (NMP), led and revised by Wanhua Chemical, has been officially released, replacing GB/T 27563-2011, and will take effect on December 1, 2026.

Key changes:

• New product grading system: general industrial grade (Type I, Type II) + battery industrial grade;
• Battery-grade NMP purity limit raised to ≥99.90%;
• Moisture limit significantly tightened;
• Sodium, iron, copper, calcium and a dozen other metal ions listed as mandatory testing items for the first time (ppb level);
• New metallic particle impurity indicators and testing methods added;
• Improved identification, packaging (moisture-proof nitrogen-sealed), and storage/transport specifications across the chain;
• An English version is being prepared as a global reference for lithium-battery solvent specifications.

Impact: Unifies the quality benchmark for battery-grade NMP and raises the control threshold for the battery industrial grade. Directly affects upstream lithium-battery cathode solvent suppliers, NMP producers, and battery-material exporters.

Action recommendations:

• NMP and lithium-battery material companies: verify products against the new battery-grade indicators (purity, moisture, metal ions, particle impurities) and complete process and QC adjustments before 2026-12-01;
• Procurement: request supplier declarations of compliance with GB/T 27563-2026;
• Exporters: monitor the English version release and prepare QC declarations aligned with the new standard in advance.

3. US EPA TSCA — Risk: Medium

Final SNUR for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, PMN P-22-163) was published on 2026-07-24 and becomes effective on 2026-09-22. The substance is used as an additive in battery manufacturing. The final SNUR includes workplace protection, exposure monitoring, and hazard communication requirements.

Proposed SNURs in progress:

• Batch 26-3 (27 substances): published 2026-07-23, comments due 2026-08-24;
• Batch 26-4 (14 substances): published 2026-07-30, comments due 2026-08-31; the Section 12(b) export notification obligation applies to exports of covered substances on or after 2026-08-31;
• Compliance dates for PCE and CTC risk management rules extended (final rule 2026-07-28);
• Final rule for 1-bromopropane (1-BP) expected in August 2026.

Action recommendations:

• Companies using MWCNTs or supplying battery additives: complete workplace protection and exposure monitoring plans, and update SDS and hazard communication documents before 2026-09-22 effectiveness;
• Exporters of substances covered by Batch 26-4: from 2026-08-31, a first-time export to a given country requires a TSCA Section 12(b) export notification (approx. $106 per notice per country); screen BOM and supplier data immediately;
• Submit comments on the relevant proposed SNURs before 2026-08-24 / 2026-08-31 if affected.

4. EU REACH SVHC — Risk: Low

The most recent major update was 2026-02-04 (n-hexane and BPAF added to the Candidate List, bringing the total to 253 entries). No further additions as of 2026-08-22.

Reminder: The Article 7(2) REACH notification deadline for the February 2026 batch (2026-08-04) has passed. Producers/importers of articles containing the above substances at >0.1% w/w and above 1 tonne/year should confirm ECHA and SCIP notifications were completed.

Action recommendation: Maintain routine SVHC compliance audits; watch for a new Candidate List update in H2 2026.

5. Consolidated Action List (by priority)

6. Baseline Information

• EU REACH SVHC Candidate List: 253 entries (no additions since the Feb 2026 update);
• China GB: NMP new national standard released, effective 2026-12-01;
• US EPA TSCA: multiple SNUR batches in progress (26-3 / 26-4 proposed; MWCNT final).

This report is for reference only; please refer to official sources for regulatory details. Generated: 2026-08-22 01:15 (UTC+8).