LIIFOO Policy Monitor | EN | Generated: July 7, 2026
New Materials Industry Policy Monitoring Report
Date: July 7, 2026 (Tuesday)
Policy Areas: China GB Standards / EU REACH / US EPA TSCA
Risk Level: ⚠️ Medium-High (Active Enforcement Window)
I. Key Regulatory Updates
🔴 China: New EV Battery National Standards Now in Effect (Major This Week)
Effective July 1, 2026, two mandatory national standards for electric vehicles have officially taken effect:
| Standard No. | Title | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| GB 38031-2025 | Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries of Electric Vehicles | July 1, 2026 (new models) |
| GB 18384-2025 | Electric Vehicle Safety Requirements | July 1, 2026 |
Key Updates:
1. Thermal Propagation Test Upgraded: Changed from “fire/explosion alarm signal 5 minutes before occurrence” → “No fire, no explosion; smoke must not harm occupants” (mandatory requirement)
2. New Bottom Impact Test: Simulates undercarriage damage to verify battery pack protection
3. New Fast-Charging Cycle Safety Test: External short-circuit test after 300 fast-charge cycles; must not catch fire or explode
4. Enhanced Insulation Resistance Requirements: Added AC circuit battery system insulation resistance criteria
5. Transition Period: New model applications must comply immediately; models with existing type approval must comply by July 1, 2027
Affected Products: EV traction batteries, battery packs/systems, NEV vehicles
🟡 EU REACH SVHC: List Holds at 253 Items (No New Additions Since April)
🟢 US EPA TSCA: Routine Review Ongoing, No New Restrictions
II. Risk Summary
| Priority | Area | Risk Description |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐ | China GB | GB 38031-2025 has been in effect for 6 days; new model applications must comply immediately or fail type approval |
| ⭐⭐⭐ | China GB | GB 18580-2025 (formaldehyde limits for wood panels) effective June 1, 2026; finished panels must meet E0 level (≤0.050mg/m³) |
| ⭐⭐ | EU REACH | n-Hexane added to SVHC list; adhesives/solvents containing n-Hexane exported to EU trigger information transmission obligations |
| ⭐⭐ | EU REACH | SVHC list expanded to 253 items; supply chain screening scope continues to widen |
III. Recommended Actions
Immediate (Within This Week)
1. Battery manufacturers: Verify GB 38031-2025 compliance status; new models must complete thermal propagation, bottom impact, and fast-charge cycle tests
2. Wood panel/building materials companies: Check GB 18580-2025 compliance; finished panels must meet E0 level
Short-Term (Within July)
3. EU export companies: Audit supply chain for n-Hexane usage; prepare information transmission documentation
4. NEV supply chain: Build bottom impact testing capability; align with new national standard requirements
Ongoing Monitoring
5. Monitor ECHA’s June–July 2026 SVHC update announcement
6. Track post-enforcement market surveillance of GB 38031-2025
IV. Summary
Today’s regulatory environment is generally stable with no sudden major restrictions. The most significant development is that China’s EV battery safety standard GB 38031-2025 took effect this Monday — the most important domestic standard upgrade for new materials/EV battery industry in nearly two years. Companies in the EV battery supply chain should immediately verify their compliance status.
Report generated: July 7, 2026 01:15 (Beijing Time)
Sources: ECHA, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Standardization Administration of China
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