New Materials Industry – Policy Monitoring Daily
Date: July 26, 2026 | Scope: EU REACH / China GB National Standards | Overall Risk Level: Medium-High (Orange)
1. Key Takeaways
- EU REACH SVHC Candidate List expanded to 253 substances, up ~6 from 247 in 2025. SCIP notification and the 0.1% communication obligations widen accordingly.
- China has entered a dense phase of mandatory GB standards: formaldehyde in wood-based panels (GB18580-2025), EV battery safety (GB38031-2025), and China RoHS phthalate expansion all became mandatory between H1 and mid-2026.
- Recommended action: Immediately launch a full SVHC re-screening of raw materials and run a product-line self-audit against the new mandatory GB standards to avoid detention, return, or delisting.
2. EU REACH Update
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy Area | REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List |
| Latest Status | List expanded to 253 entries (247 in 2025) |
| Risk Level | Medium-High |
| Affected Parties | EU-exporting makers of electronics, textiles, packaging, auto parts, plastics/rubber |
Impact: Any SVHC present above 0.1% (w/w) in an article triggers communication duties to downstream users and consumers. Above 1 tonne/year it also requires ECHA notification and SCIP database submission. Each expansion may render previously “compliant” products non-compliant.
3. China GB National Standards Update
| Standard | Title | Effective | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB 18580-2025 | Formaldehyde emission limits for wood-based panels | 2026-06-01 | E0 grade upgraded from recommended to mandatory threshold |
| GB 38031-2025 | Safety requirements for EV traction batteries | 2026-07-01 | Thermal runaway “no fire, no explosion”; new bottom-impact & post-fast-charge tests |
| China RoHS Amendment | Restricted substances in EEE (+4 phthalates) | 2026-01-01 | Adds DBP/DIBP/BBP/DEHP control |
Impact: Three new-materials segments are directly hit: panels, battery materials, and EEE materials. Mandatory E0 phases out low-end adhesive formulations; the battery safety upgrade raises the bar for electrolytes, separators, and structural parts; the RoHS phthalate expansion requires re-validation of wiring harnesses, housings, and soft plastics.
4. Action Recommendations (for international clients & suppliers)
- Full SVHC re-screening: Use the latest 253-entry list to check all purchased raw materials/semi-finished goods against the 0.1% threshold, focusing on flame retardants, plasticizers, and heavy metals. Where exceeded, trigger substitution or communication/SCIP notification.
- Map to mandatory GB standards: Panel makers verify E0 formaldehyde; battery supply chain verify GB38031-2025 new tests; EEE material makers verify the 4 new RoHS phthalates.
- Push compliance upstream: Obtain updated SDS and compliance declarations from suppliers; write compliance obligations into purchase contracts.
- Establish a monitoring cadence: ECHA updates SVHC in January and June each year; China GB notices are irregular – recommend monthly review.
This daily brief is auto-compiled from public policy sources. For compliance decisions, refer to official texts (ECHA, China’s national standards public service platform).
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