IFRA’s China Working Group visits Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences to advance China’s new chemicals regulation

Recently, a delegation from the China Working Group (CWG) of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) paid a working visit to the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIES) under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), to exchange views on the ongoing revision of China's Measures for Environmental Administration Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12).

The two sides discussed key regulatory updates, including the unification of registration types, inventory management, release factor optimization, and technical simplification guidelines for biodegradable polymers. CWG shared industry priorities: regulatory treatment of biodegradable fragrance polymers, registration flexibility for low-volume materials (around 1-10 tons), and data waivers for fragrance ingredients used in cosmetics and food applications.

Both sides agreed to strengthen science-based cooperation on exposure assessment, emission scenarios, and practical testing approaches. The visit helped align industry needs with regulatory developments and supported a predictable, workable compliance framework for the global fragrance sector in China.