Starting January 1, 2026, lithium thionyl chloride batteries or battery packs containing no more than 1 kg of thionyl chloride will no longer be subject to controlled chemical supervision under Chinese law. This decision, jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs, streamlines import and export procedures for these products.
Regulatory Shift for Low-Risk Battery Products
The battery policy revision is based on an updated risk assessment that found these battery types contain low quantities of thionyl chloride, are difficult to disassemble, and pose minimal diffusion risk. As a result, they have been removed from the following control frameworks:
The “Regulations on the Administration of Controlled Chemicals”
The “Export Control List of Dual-Use Items of the People’s Republic of China”
Impact on Import and Export Procedures
Companies importing or exporting eligible lithium thionyl chloride batteries will no longer need to apply for:
Approval Certificate for Import and Export of Controlled Chemicals
License for Import and Export of Dual-Use Items and Technologies
However, customs declarations must include accurate details on the thionyl chloride filling content for each individual battery or battery pack. This ensures transparency and enables oversight without the need for pre-approval certification.
Ongoing Controls for Non-Eligible Products
The updated policy only applies to batteries or packs under 1 kg of thionyl chloride. All other variants of lithium thionyl chloride batteries remain classified as controlled chemicals and require full compliance with existing export control regulations, including licensing and approval procedures.
Additionally, if batteries fall under other regulatory control measures outside the scope of this update, those requirements must still be met.
Regulatory Monitoring and Adjustments
Authorities encourage reporting of any issues encountered during implementation to the designated offices within the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce, or the General Administration of Customs. This feedback mechanism supports future adjustments to the regulatory framework as needed.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
China
Certification Body: State Radio Regulatory Commission of PRC (SRRC)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: 60 Months
Application Language: Simplified Chinese
Legal License Holder: Manufacturer
In-Country Testing Requirement: In-Country Testing
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