The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition),” under which certain pesticides have been listed as products with “high pollution and high environmental risk.”

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition).”

To implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, wage a decisive battle against pollution, resolutely curb the unchecked expansion of high-energy‑consumption and high-emission projects, and promote the green transformation of enterprises in key industries, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently released the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”).

The “Catalogue (2021 Edition)” comprises a list of “high-pollution, high-environmental-risk” products (hereinafter referred to as “double-high” products) and a list of key environmental protection equipment. It includes 932 “double-high” products, 159 products subject to process‑specific exclusions, and 79 items of key environmental protection equipment. Among the 932 “double-high” products, 326 are characterized by “high pollution,” 223 by “high environmental risk,” and 383 by both “high pollution” and “high environmental risk.”

Compared with the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2017 Edition),” the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)” adds 47 “double‑high” products, including cationic starch and hydrogen fluoride; 35 excluded processes for “double‑high” products, such as the clean electrochemical process for succinic acid; and 7 soil‑pollution‑prevention and control devices, including soil‑washing equipment. The 2021 Catalogue incorporates products that generate substantial emissions of air pollutants, water pollutants, and solid waste during production—such as petroleum coke, 1,4‑butanediol, acetone, saccharifying enzymes, and lead‑chromium‑containing container topcoats—as well as products that contain or release toxic and hazardous substances during manufacturing, including bisphenol A, lead‑chromium‑based color pastes used in interior decorative coatings, and plastic toys containing chlorinated paraffin plasticizers. Moreover, it clearly specifies the heavily polluting and excluded processes for most “double‑high” products, thereby encouraging enterprises to upgrade and transform their technologies and processes. In addition, the catalogue introduces new soil‑pollution‑prevention and control equipment, outlining its scope of application, key performance indicators, and technical requirements, thus forming a relatively comprehensive and systematic list of priority environmental protection equipment alongside air‑pollution‑control, solid‑waste‑pollution‑control, and environmental‑monitoring devices.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to promote the implementation and application of the “Catalogue (2021 Edition),” strengthen support and guidance for enterprises, and advance high-quality development in key industries.

Notice on the Issuance of the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition)”

The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the General Office of the People’s Bank of China; the General Administration of Customs, the State Taxation Administration, and the General Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation; the General Offices of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission; and the ecological and environmental departments (bureaus) of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, as well as the Ecological and Environmental Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:

To thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, to carry out the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, to wage a tough battle against pollution, to resolutely curb the unchecked expansion of “high‑carbon” and “high‑consumption” projects, to guide enterprises in their green transformation, and to promote high‑quality development of the industry, our Ministry has, on the basis of the Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2017 Edition), revised and formulated the Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition). This document is hereby issued for use in relevant work.

General Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment

October 25, 2021

The Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition), regarding the pesticide section:

Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition) (Chemical Pesticide Manufacturing)

I. List of “High-Pollution, High-Environmental-Risk” Products

(1) List of “High-Pollution” Products

(II) Catalogue of “High Environmental Risk” Products

(3) Catalogue of “High-Pollution, High-Environmental-Risk” Products

Appendix: “Excluded Processes” Descriptions for Certain Products Listed in the Catalogue of “High-Pollution, High-Environmental-Risk” Products

An official from the Comprehensive Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered questions from reporters regarding the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition).”

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection (2021 Edition)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”). An official from the Comprehensive Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered questions from reporters regarding the background of the catalogue’s release, its implementation status, overall requirements, key principles, main contents, and salient features.

Q: What is the background behind the issuance of the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”? Please provide a brief overview of its implementation.

Answer: In accordance with the State Council’s work plan, in June 2007, the former State Environmental Protection Administration issued the “Catalogue of Products with High Pollution and High Environmental Risk.” Subsequently, as required by ongoing work and with the approval of the State Council, the title was revised to the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection.” As of 2018, a total of 11 editions of the “Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection” had been published.

The Comprehensive Catalogue of Environmental Protection provides strong support for winning the battle against pollution by including nearly 70 products that generate high atmospheric pollutant emissions—such as coke and wood coatings—as well as over 210 products with high water‑polluting emissions—like semi‑chemical pulp and monosodium glutamate—and more than 200 products that produce substantial solid or hazardous waste, or contain heavy metals—such as titanium dioxide, sodium dichromate, and lead‑acid batteries. The catalogue has effectively facilitated the green transformation and upgrading of industries: all highly polluting processes associated with 73 “high‑pollution, high‑environmental‑risk” (hereinafter referred to as “double‑high”) products—including carbon disulfide and sodium silicate—have been phased out; among these “double‑high” products, the output of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides has declined by 20%, 15%, and 30%, respectively, while the share of production using alternative processes for acetochlor and amino acids has risen from 7% and 25% in 2009 to 92% and 68% in 2018. The Comprehensive Catalogue is widely applied by relevant authorities, which have extended corporate income tax incentives to 24 categories of key environmental protection equipment. Since 2018, such measures have cumulatively granted tax exemptions totaling RMB 12 billion to enterprises purchasing air‑ and water‑pollution control equipment and environmental monitoring instruments. Meanwhile, “double‑high” products are not eligible for VAT preferential treatment as resource‑comprehensive utilization products or services.

Q: What are the overall requirements and fundamental principles underlying the preparation of the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”?

Answer: Implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, wage a tough battle against pollution, adhere to the new development philosophy, resolutely curb the unchecked expansion of high‑energy‑consumption and high‑emission projects, further refine the catalog of “double‑high” products, specify excluded processes and pollution‑control equipment, promote their application in fiscal, tax, trade, and other sectors, guide enterprises in technological upgrading and transformation, and facilitate the green transformation and development of key industries.

First, we will remain problem‑oriented and support environmental governance. We will focus on sectors such as petrochemicals, nonferrous metals, and light industry, selecting products that feature high total pollutant emissions, strong toxicity, elevated risks, and overcapacity—products that can directly advance key objectives in the campaigns to safeguard blue skies, clean waters, and uncontaminated land. At the same time, we will further refine the catalog of priority environmental protection equipment and add technologies for soil pollution prevention and control, thereby providing robust technical solutions for environmental remediation.

Second, we will steadfastly pursue optimization and adjustments to drive source‑level emission reductions. We will assess and categorize the environmental performance of new product manufacturing processes, identify and recommend exclusionary processes that generate minimal pollutant emissions, pose low environmental risks, and offer stable, mature applications, and encourage enterprises to prioritize their use. In this way, we will continuously refine the process mix and promote pollution reduction at the source.

Third, we will uphold the principle of prioritizing prevention to mitigate environmental risks. We will identify industries that have experienced frequent environmental pollution incidents or major accidents, as well as those that use flammable, explosive, highly toxic, or highly corrosive raw materials, and products that contain or release hazardous substances such as hexavalent chromium and cyanide during production. Based on this assessment, we will guide enterprises to reduce the production and use of high‑environmental‑risk products and prioritize the adoption of alternative solutions.

Q: What are the main contents of the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”? Q: What are the main contents of the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”?

Answer: The “Catalogue (2021 Edition)” comprises the Catalogue of “Dual‑High” Products and the Catalogue of Key Environmental Protection Equipment, encompassing a total of 932 “dual‑high” products, 159 products subject to exclusionary processes, and 79 key environmental protection equipment items. Among the 932 “dual‑high” products, 326 exhibit “high pollution” characteristics, 223 exhibit “high environmental risk” characteristics, and 383 possess both “high pollution” and “high environmental risk” attributes.

Compared with the “Catalogue (2017 Edition),” this version adds 47 “dual‑high” products, including cationic starch and hydrogen fluoride—16 of which exhibit “high pollution” characteristics, 1 has “high environmental risk” characteristics, and 30 possess both “high pollution” and “high environmental risk” attributes—as well as 35 “dual‑high” process technologies, such as the clean electrochemical process for succinic acid, and 7 soil‑pollution‑prevention and control devices, including soil‑washing equipment.

Q: What are the main features of the new additions in the “Catalogue (2021 Edition)”?

A: First, we will provide targeted services to ensure the effective implementation of the tough battle against pollution. We have included 11 products—such as petroleum coke, 1,4-butanediol, and accelerator NS—that generate substantial atmospheric emissions during production; 13 products—such as cationic starch, acetone, and glucoamylase—that produce significant water‑borne pollutants in the manufacturing process; and 7 products—such as chromium‑containing color‑coated sheets and lead‑chromium‑based container topcoats—that have a noticeable impact on soil environments—on the relevant list. This enables finance, tax, customs, and other departments to accurately identify and effectively apply these measures, thereby fostering policy synergy.

Second, emphasis is placed on the guiding role of excluded processes in facilitating enterprises’ green transformation. Among the 47 newly added “double-high” products, 35 incorporate excluded processes; all such processes have achieved stable, industrial-scale operation, with environmental performance markedly improved compared to conventional polluting technologies. This provides both policy guidance and technical support for enterprises’ technological upgrading and transformation, steering them toward development pathways characterized by lower emissions, reduced risks, and enhanced economic benefits.

Third, priority is given to human health and environmental safety. New measures have been introduced to address products that contain or release toxic and hazardous substances during production—such as bisphenol A, lead‑chromium pigments used in interior decorative coatings, and plastic toys containing chlorinated paraffin plasticizers—thereby encouraging relevant authorities to strengthen the management of high‑environmental‑risk products, promote the development and use of alternative materials, and safeguard both human health and environmental integrity.

Fourth, the list of key environmental protection equipment has been refined. Seven new items—such as integrated crushing and screening units and soil‑washing equipment—have been added to the roster of soil pollution prevention and control devices, with specifications on their applicable scope, principal performance indicators, and technical requirements. Together with equipment for air pollution control, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and environmental monitoring, these additions have helped to establish a relatively comprehensive catalog of priority environmental protection technologies.

Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment, compiled by Pesticide Information.