Introduction
As regulatory frameworks across the Asia-Pacific region undergo accelerated upgrades, 2026 marks a critical turning point for chemical compliance.
From China’s elevation of environmental and chemical governance to the level of national law, to major regulatory revisions in South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia, enforcement requirements and market entry thresholds are rising significantly.
This outlook highlights key regulatory developments shaping 2026 in the Asia Pacific and their compliance implications, helping enterprises anticipate risks and secure sustainable market access.
China Releases Draft Ecological and Environmental Code
In 2025, the Draft Ecological and Environmental Code was officially unveiled, marking a historic milestone in China’s environmental rule of law. This codification provides the long-awaited superior law (higher-level law) support for the Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12). In parallel, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) is expected to further refine the legal and regulatory system governing the environmental risk management of chemical substances.
With the establishment of a higher-level legal basis, enforcement provisions that were previously constrained are expected to be significantly strengthened. Violations such as failure to register new chemical substances when required, or failure to include substances under proper regulatory control, may be subject to substantially higher fines, as well as severe administrative penalties including suspension of operations or permanent shutdown.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Enterprises must ensure all new chemical substances intended for manufacture, import, or use are duly registered. "Compliance-first" is no longer a choice but a prerequisite for business continuity.
China’s New Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law Enacted
On December 27, 2025, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals was officially passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and will take effect on May 1, 2026. This landmark legislation elevates China’s hazardous chemicals safety management from an administrative regulation (Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals) to a national law, representing a fundamental leap in legal authority, accountability, and enforcement intensity.
It codifies for the first time critical mechanisms such as the all-staff safety responsibility system, dual prevention systems, mandatory admission requirements for chemical parks, and full life-cycle digital supervision. It also establishes the “Three Musts” principle—those in charge of the industry must be responsible for safety, those in charge of the business must be responsible for safety, and those in charge of production and distribution must be responsible for safety.
Significantly, the law introduces a dual penalty mechanism, imposing fines and penalties on both enterprises and individuals. In serious cases, violators face hefty fines, license revocation, or even lifetime industry bans.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
With less than five months until implementation, companies should promptly conduct comprehensive compliance self-assessments, focusing on production permits, storage conditions, transport qualifications, SDS and labelling compliance, personnel training, and industrial park admission requirements to finalize updates to their systems, processes, and documentation before May 1—helping avoid substantial legal and operational risks.
China's National Standard on Desensitized Explosives Classification and Labelling to Take Effect
On June 30, 2025, China officially released Rules for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals—Part 30: Desensitized Explosives (GB 30000.30–2025), which will enter into force on July 1, 2026.
The standard closes a regulatory gap in the management of desensitized explosives and brings China’s chemical classification and labelling framework into alignment with the 10th revised edition of the UN GHS. It formally defines desensitized explosives, establishes clear classification criteria, introduces four hazard categories, and specifies the corresponding labelling requirements.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Manufacturers involved in related products should begin substance screening and classification assessments, promptly update SDSs and safety labels, to ensure compliance before the effective date and avoid disruptions to registration, circulation, or export activities.
South Korea Updates MSDS Preparation Standards with Phased Implementation
South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor issued the Amendment to the "Standards for Classification, Labeling, and MSDS of Chemical Substances" (MoEL Notice No. 2025-50). This amendment will officially come into force on August 7, 2025.
Immediate implementation (from August 7, 2025):
All newly prepared MSDSs must adopt the latest standard (MoEL Notice No. 2025-50), including the addition of relevant regulatory information in Section 15.Transition period (until June 30, 2026):
Existing MSDSs must indicate the applicable status of K-REACH regulations in Section 15, Item 3. Beginning July 1, 2026, all MSDSs must be fully updated in accordance with the new standard.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Companies should systematically review their MSDS inventories, update regulatory information in a timely manner, and establish dynamic maintenance mechanisms to ensure compliance at each transition milestone and avoid regulatory or market circulation risks.
Vietnam’s New Chemical Law Takes Effect in 2026
Vietnam’s newly enacted Law on Chemicals (Law No. 69/2025/QH15) took effect on January 1, 2026, marking a new era in the country’s chemical management framework. Enterprises must pay close attention to the following compliance requirements in 2026:
Chemical declaration and Vietnamese SDS requirement: The previous “Declarable Chemicals” list has been abolished. All imported chemicals (except for exemptions) must be declared proactively through the National Single Window (NSW) system, along with the submission of a Vietnamese-language Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Registration of Chemicals Requiring Special Control: The new law introduces a category of “Chemicals Requiring Special Control”. Enterprises must identify relevant substances and register their intended use and demand in the national database to meet full life-cycle management obligations.
Pre-licensing management: Imports and exports involving chemicals listed under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) schedules and industrial precursors must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) before customs clearance.
Customs risk classification management: Vietnam Customs has implemented a three-tier risk classification mechanism — Green, Yellow, and Red. Companies with solid compliance records may qualify for the Green Channel, benefiting from expedited clearance and reduced inspection frequency.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Vietnam’s National Chemical Inventory (NCI) is expected to reopen for updates soon. Enterprises are advised to closely monitor official announcements and prepare relevant data in advance to seize opportunities to submit applications.
Indonesia Sets 2026 Mandatory Enforcement Deadline for Halal Certification of Cosmetics, Chemicals, and Related Products
October 17, 2026 marks the mandatory enforcement deadline for halal certification of cosmetics, chemicals, and related products entering the Indonesian market. After this date, uncertified products will face a market ban. For companies targeting Indonesia, halal certification is not only a compliance obligation but also a key prerequisite for market access.
Mandatory entry requirement: Halal certification is no longer optional—it has become the legal gateway to the Indonesian market.
Building consumer trust: In Indonesia, where Muslims constitute the majority population, halal certification is regarded as a symbol of product quality and brand integrity, helping strengthen consumer confidence.
Global opportunity: Achieving Indonesian halal certification lays a foundation for expanding into other international halal markets.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Start immediately. Early planning is essential to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Establish a Halal Assurance System (SJPH) covering raw materials to finished products to ensure full-chain compliance.
Partnering with experienced halal certification service providers can streamline procedures and increase the success rate of certification.
Conclusion
As regulatory enforcement intensifies across the Asia-Pacific region, proactive and systematic compliance will be essential for enterprises to secure sustainable market access in 2026 and beyond. REACH24H will continue to closely monitor regulatory developments and support enterprises with professional interpretation, compliance planning, and localized implementation solutions.
For further information or tailored compliance assistance, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
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