Taiwan Proposes to Add Six Concerned Chemical Substances

By Xunyao Fu, PhD, Regulatory Affairs Lead, Supply Chain team, UL Solutions.

Taiwan's Ministry of Environment (MOENV) has published a draft amendment to the Categories and Management of Handling for Concerned Chemical Substances, proposing the addition of six substances to the List of Concerned Chemical Substances. The proposal aims to strengthen chemical risk management and reduce potential risks to human health and the environment.

The six new substances are 2-Methyl 4-(methylthio)-2-morpholinopropiophenone (MMMP, CAS 71868-10-5), gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL, CAS 96-48-0), Bisphenol B (CAS 77-40-7), Bisphenol F (CAS 620-92-8), C.I. Pigment Red 3 (CAS 2425-85-6), and para-Red (CAS 6410-10-2). Once listed, the manufacture, import, sale, use, and storage of these substances would become subject to specific management and control requirements.

According to MOENV, C.I. Pigment Red 3 and para-Red have been identified through the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) as substances associated with potential food safety concerns. To prevent these dyes from entering the food supply chain, the ministry proposes to classify them as concerned chemical substances with food safety risks. Operators handling concentrations of 30% or greater would be required to obtain approval documents, maintain monthly operational records, provide safety data sheets (SDSs), and label containers and packaging with the statement "Not for use in food and feed."

The proposal would also strengthen controls on Bisphenol B and Bisphenol F due to growing international concern regarding bisphenol substances. MOENV noted that Bisphenol B has been identified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) in the European Union, while Bisphenol F may exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties. Both substances would be regulated as concerned chemical substances related to people's livelihood issues at a concentration threshold of 1%, with approval, reporting, labeling, and SDS requirements applying to regulated operations.

In addition, the ministry proposes to regulate MMMP and GBL to address concerns regarding potential misuse while allowing legitimate industrial uses. Both substances would be required to bear the statement "Industrial-use only" on containers and packaging. MMMP would be subject to a 90% concentration threshold. For GBL, operations involving concentrations of 20% or greater but less than 90% would be subject only to labeling and SDS requirements. Operations involving concentrations of 90% or greater would be subject to stricter controls, including prior approval requirements, monthly operational reporting, labeling and SDS obligations, and "Industrial-use only" container and packaging markings.

Stakeholders should also note that the sale of these substances through anonymous online platforms would be prohibited once the listing takes effect. A 60-day public comment period begins on July 21, 2026, providing interested parties an opportunity to submit comments and recommendations to MOENV before the amendment is finalized.

References

Announcement on Draft Amendment to the Categories and Management of Handling for Concerned Chemical Substances (in traditional Chinese only)

Categories and Management of Handling for Concerned Chemical Substances (in traditional Chinese only)