The Ministry of Industry and Information, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environmental Protection jointly released the List of State-promoted Substitutes for Poisonous and Harmful Raw Materials (Products) (2016 Version) (Gong Xin Bu Lian Jie [2016] No. 398) on December 26, 2016.

The List 2016 is said to be the revised edition of 2012 version with 74 items of substitutes in total, including 8 items related to research and development, 15 items related to utilization and 51 items related to promotion, among which 12 products in connection with rubber industry like aromatic oil without PAHs are on the list. With over 4 years of enforcement, the 2012 version had exerted positive effects on guiding enterprises to choose and use low-toxin, low-harm, toxin-free and non-hazardous raw materials to reduce the amount of toxic and harmful substances in final products and promoting the green development of enterprises.

In order to carry out Made in China 2025 and Green Industry Development Program (2016-2020), guide enterprises to persistently develop and use low-toxin, lowharm, toxin-free and non-hazardous raw materials, reduce the amount of toxic and harmful substances in products and cut down or avoid the generation of pollutants at the source, the Ministry of Industry and Information launched this revision in August 2015. The revision process involves carrying out assessment, organizing the application, expert review and seeking for opinions.

Officials said that their next step is to take some specific actions to achieve the guiding function of the List in two ways of the government and the industry. Firstly, competent authorities at all levels of Industry and Information will take full advantages of green manufacturing, cleaner production, technical transformation and fund channels like fund for industrial transformation and upgrading, targeted construction fund, green credit, etc. to provide policy support for the utilization of substitutes in the List and establish typical demonstration projects. Secondly, the related industry associations and scientific research institutes will strengthen propaganda and guidance of the List, draw up the implementation handbook of the List, build a platform for technical exchange and service and conduct technical training and reform for the utilization of the substitutes. 

List of State-promoted Substitutes for Poisonous and Harmful Raw Materials (Products) (2016 Version)