August 4, 2025 – China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has issued Announcement No. 925, introducing sweeping reforms to pesticide labeling and market regulations. The new policy, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, enforces a “One License, One Product” (一证一品) rule, fundamentally reshaping the industry by eliminating duplicate branding, enhancing traceability, and cracking down on unauthorized subcontracting.
Key Provisions of the New Policy
The four major requirements under the updated regulations are:
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Full Traceability of Active Ingredients
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Pesticide products must label the registration number and manufacturer of the active ingredient (technical material).
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This information can be embedded in traceable electronic codes, ensuring accountability.
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Single Brand per Registration License
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One registration number = One brand name.
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No subcontractor branding allowed, preventing “ghost production” and unauthorized relabeling.
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Clear Labeling for Herbicide-Tolerant Crops
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Pesticides for herbicide-resistant crops must specify target crop varieties and genetic traits.
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Mandatory Disclosure of Required Additives
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If a pesticide requires specific adjuvants, the label must list their names and key components.
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Industry Impact: A Market Shakeup
1. The End of “One License, Multiple Brands”
Previously, a single pesticide registration could support dozens of branded products, leading to market confusion and quality risks. With 48,233 registered pesticides (only 5,062 for technical materials), China’s market saw over 100,000 branded products—many from subcontractors and1.
Under the new rules:
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Thousands of rebranded products will disappear.
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Small firms relying on “license renting” face collapse.
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Market consolidation will accelerate, favoring large players with strong R&D and registration portfolios.
2. Winners and Losers
Winners:
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“License Giants” like Noposion (诺普信), Meibang Group (美邦), and Rotam (润丰股份), which hold thousands of registrations, will dominate.
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Innovators in biological pesticides (e.g., bio-fungicides) gain an edge due to stricter compliance needs.
Losers:
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Small pesticide traders without in-house production.
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“Ghost manufacturers” relying on subcontracting.
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Brands with weak registration assets.
3. A Rush for New Registrations
In H1 2025 alone, MARA approved 2,291 new pesticide registrations—nearly matching (2024’s full-year total (2,622). 44 firms secured 10+ new licenses each, signaling a race for market control.
Long-Term Outlook: A More Transparent, Concentrated Market
While the policy brings short-term disruptions, it will:
✔ Reduce counterfeit and low-quality pesticides
✔ Boost innovation and R&D investment
✔ Strengthen China’s global pesticide competitiveness
Industry leaders like Sinochem and Syngenta China are already adapting, focusing on high-value formulations and digital traceability.
Conclusion
China’s pesticide market is entering a new era of compliance and consolidation. Companisecure registrations, invest in R&D, and optimize supply chains—or risk exti“One License, One Product” rule is not just a regulatory change; it’s a revolution that will redefine the industry for years to come.
