Introduction
The year 2026 marks a watershed moment for the agricultural industry in China. This entire sector witnesses the regulatory developments, from the overhaul of pesticide management measures, the implementation of 17 new environmental safety assessment guidelines, new catalogue-based management for granular pesticide formulations, and the final ban on highly toxic formulations, to the significant upgrade of fertilizer registration standards.
For enterprises operating in or exporting to the Chinese market, 2026 is no longer about simple registration—it is about strategic adaptation to a rigorous, science-based oversight system. This guide breaks down the critical shifts that will redefine market access in the coming year.
China Undertakes Comprehensive Upgrade of Its Pesticide Regulatory System
China is entering a new era of precise pesticide regulation. In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) issued Order No. 3, systematically revising the Measures on the Management of Pesticide Registration, Measures on the Management of Pesticide Production License, Measures on the Management of Pesticide Business License, and Measures on the Management of Pesticide Registration Tests. These revisions officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
Simultaneously, under Announcement No. 925, updated requirements for pesticide product labels, including technical material source disclosure and trademark consistency per registration certificate, will officially come into force. This marks a fundamental shift in China’s pesticide oversight, transitioning from a “broad access, lenient management” approach to a “full-chain, whole-process, high-transparency” regulatory framework.
The revisions focus on four core areas: pesticide manufacturing, trials, registration, and distribution, sending a clear signal: compliance thresholds are rising, corporate responsibilities are reinforced, and process supervision is strengthened.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
R&D: Enhance intellectual property protection for new compound registration data, and establish post-market safety and efficacy monitoring systems to ensure high-quality data for periodic evaluation and registration renewal.
Production: Cease outsourcing technical grade (TC) pesticide production. For formulation outsourcing or repackaging, sign agreements clearly defining responsibilities and transfer all technical documentation to the contractor.
Trials: Complete registration trial filings in advance; report any changes immediately. Trial institutions must maintain strict compliance throughout the process to meet increasing routine and “spot-check” inspections.
Distribution: Internet-based pesticide sellers are required to finalize system registration and rectification within the compliance window of January 1–31, 2026; online sales of restricted pesticides are strictly prohibited.
Labeling: Update product labels in accordance with new regulations, accurately reflecting technical material sources and trademark information, and ensure filing in the MARA-designated system.
17 Guidelines on Environmental Safety Assessment for Chemical Pesticides (GB/T 31270–2025) to Be Implemented in 2026
In 2025, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), under the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), issued National Standards Announcements No. 21, 24, and 29, approving 17 Guidelines on Environmental Safety Assessment for Chemical Pesticides (GB/T 31270–2025).
These recommended standards, focusing on pesticide environmental fate and ecotoxicology, will be implemented in two phases on March 1 and May 1, 2026.
This advancement marks the further improvement and enhancement of China's pesticide environmental safety assessment system. The new guidelines refine trial design, data requirements, and evaluation methods, raising the bar for scientific rigor and comparability of registration data, directly impacting future registration efficiency and market access.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Closely monitor the specific technical requirements of the 17 guidelines and update internal compliance strategies accordingly.
When commissioning environmental safety trials or reviewing trial protocols, require partner laboratories to strictly follow GB/T 31270–2025.
Conduct internal training and process adjustments in advance to avoid using outdated methods that could render data unacceptable and delay registration.
China to Implement Catalogue-Based Management for Granular Pesticide Formulations by the End of 2026
To ensure agricultural production safety, protect food quality, and promote ecological sustainability, MARA issued Announcement No. 911 on May 19, 2025, introducing catalog-based management for granular pesticide formulations. Key points include:
From December 1, 2026, registrations of granular formulations not aligned with the specified scope of use will be revoked by law.
Compliant stock products manufactured before that date may continue to be marketed and used within their quality guarantee period.
This marks the transition of granular formulations from broad-spectrum registration to a precision use-control regime, aiming to curb misuse and promote efficient, low-risk applications.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Review all existing granular pesticide registrations, evaluate compliance against the announcement’s use catalog, and develop exit or re-registration plans for non-compliant products.
Conduct pre-submission compliance checks for new projects to ensure intended crops, pests, and application methods strictly adhere to catalog requirements.
Monitor subsequent implementing rules and adjust product strategies and market planning accordingly.
China Bans Four Highly Toxic Pesticide Formulations from June 2026
Under MARA Announcement No. 736, the sale and use of four highly toxic pesticide formulations—Omethoate, Carbofuran, Methomyl, and Aldicarb—will be fully banned from June 1, 2026. This is part of China’s ongoing efforts to reduce pesticide use, improve agricultural product safety, and protect the environment.
The ban applies to all use scenarios with no transitional exemptions, imposing urgent requirements on inventory management, product portfolio adjustments, and alternative solutions planning.
The existing technical material registrations shall be changed to 'export-only' registrations, and shall be subject to closed-loop regulatory supervision.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Conduct an immediate review of product formula to identify any impacted formulations.
Develop clear inventory disposal and phase-out plans to mitigate compliance risks and financial losses.
Evaluate the feasibility of low-toxicity, high-efficiency alternative products, and prepare registration and market strategies to ensure a smooth transition.
China Upgrades Fertilizer Registration System with Higher Standards for Field Trials Effective January 2026
In October 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) officially updated the Guidelines for Fertilizer Registration, the Fertilizer Renewal Registration, and the Fertilizer Amendment Registration.
Effective January 1, 2026, all new fertilizer registration applications must comply with significantly higher field trial standards. The new guidelines impose stricter and more granular technical specifications for experimental design, control group settings, data collection, and efficacy evaluation.
This reform marks a decisive shift in China’s fertilizer management toward a high-quality development model characterized by "verifiable efficacy, environmental acceptability, and practical application."
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Before initiating new fertilizer registrations in 2026, thoroughly study the updated guidelines, with particular attention to revised field trial design and reporting requirements;
Prioritize cooperation with qualified trial institutions that are familiar with the new regulatory standards to ensure full compliance and data reliability;
For ongoing trials not yet submitted, promptly assess whether supplemental testing or adjustments are required to avoid registration delays caused by non-compliant reports.
Contact Us
Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent pesticide and fertilizer regulations in China, navigating registration, testing, and formulation adjustments has become more complex and resource-intensive.
For tailored regulatory advice or localized compliance solutions, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
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