English Edition of the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals (2015)

The Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals is promulgated by 10 ministries in accordance with Decree 591 Regulations on Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals. It is an administrative license Catalogue which means that businesses that produce, import, distribute or use hazardous chemicals in the Catalogue are subject to license requirements (production license, operation license, safe use license, etc.)

The current Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals was issued in 2002 and contains more than 3,800 chemicals. A revised draft version was issued in 2013 and includes nearly 3,000 kinds of chemicals. Please note that the Catalogue includes both substances and mixtures. Some entries are generic entries matching a group of substances with similar hazard properties.

To access the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals, please click the links given below:

• Search the Catalogue online in Chinese - provided by SAWS;
• Download the 2013 draft version of the Catalogue (in Chinese);

Definition of Hazardous Chemicals and Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals

In Decree 591, hazardous chemicals are defined as highly toxic chemicals and other chemicals which are toxic, corrosive, explosive, flammable and do harm to human body, facilities and environment. All chemicals meeting GHS hazard classification criteria may fall within its scope.

Among all hazardous chemicals placed on Chinese market, around 3000 chemicals have been prioritized and added to the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals. Only businesses who handle hazardous chemicals in the Catalogue are subject to license requirements. In addition to that, hazardous chemicals in the Catalogue are subject to additional registration requirements under MEP order 22.

Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals and Compulsory GHS Classifications in China

For many chemicals listed in the Catalogue, the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) will publish their GHS classifications in a separate guidance document. Companies must use the classifications given in the guidance or more severe classifications to classify their chemicals and prepare SDSs and labels.

- See more here.

New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC)

NZIoC is different from chemical inventories in other countries. It is only a database of all the hazardous chemical components of products approved under group standards. Many group standards require the hazardous components of products covered under these approvals to be listed on the NZIoC.

If you have a new product you can check the list to see if you comply with the group standard condition. A spreadsheet of the full NZIoC listings can be downloaded here:
NZIoC spreadsheet (excel, 4533 kb)

Updates to NZIoC

The NZIoC is updated regularly with new chemicals that have been notified and verified. To download or search the latest inventory, please click the link below:

NZIoC - New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals

Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS)

The Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) is a listing of all industrial chemicals in use in Australia between 1 January 1977 and 28 February 1990. In addition, it includes new assessed chemicals and corrections as required.

The AICS is maintained under the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) and contains over 40,000 chemicals. It consists of the non-confidential (public) section and the confidential section.

Any chemical not included in AICS is regarded as a new industrial chemical unless it is outside the scope of the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 or is otherwise exempt from notification. New industrial chemicals must be notified and assessed before being manufactured or imported into Australia.

Access AICS

Taiwan Chemical Substance Inventory (TCSI)

Taiwan's chemical substance inventory (TCSI) is compiled by the Ministry of Labor(MoL) and it contains more than 79,000 substances that were manufactured in or imported into Taiwan between 1 Jan 1993 and 31 Dec 2011. The inventory has been updated several times by two supplementary existing substance nominations. 

A substance that cannot be found on above existing substance inventory will be regarded as a new substance in Taiwan. You need to comply with both Toxic Chemical Substance Control Act(Taiwan TCSCA) and Occupational Safety and Health Act(Taiwan OSHA) and register your new substance prior to manufacture or importation. It shall be noted that existing substances may also require registration under TCSCA. 

To access the inventory and learn more info about new substance registration under TCSCA, please click the link below.
National Existing Chemical Inventory in Taiwan

More Chemical Inventories. 

Philippines Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS) and PMPIN

Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances(PICCS) is an inventory of all chemicals and chemical substances in use throughout the country. Chemicals and chemical substances not included in the PICCS cannot be manufactured, imported, distributed, or used unless they have undergone the Pre-Manufacture and Pre-Importation Notification (PMPIN) process.

The first PICCS developed by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was released in 2000. It contains approximately 24,000 chemicals and chemical substances nominated in 1993 by chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and users.

PICCS is updated every 5 years. The latest edition of PICCS(2011) includes mroe than 44,000 chemical substances.

To access PICCS and learn more info about PMPIN, please click the link below.
Philippines Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS) 

Canada Domestic Substance List (DSL) and Non-Domestic Substance List (NDSL)

Domestic Substances List (DSL) and the Non-Domestic Substances List (NDSL) are created in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) by Environment Canada. Substances that are not on the DSL may require notification and assessment before they can be manufactured or imported into Canada. Substances on the NDSL have different notification requirements.
DSL and NDSL can be accessed here.

Canada Finally Releases WHMIS 2015 Adopting GHS

13 Feb 2015, We have prepared a comprehensive summary of labelling and SDS requirements in Canada WHMIS 2015 for you. 

The DSL

The DSL includes substances that were, between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1986, in Canadian commerce, used for manufacturing purposes, or manufactured in or imported into Canada in a quantity of 100 kg or more in any calendar year. The purpose of the List was to define what was 'New to Canada' and it has been amended from time to time following assessment under the New Substances Notification Regulations and currently contains approximately 23,000 substances. If a substance appears on the DSL and has no other restrictions imposed, it is approved for importation and intended use in all product applications.

The NDSL

The Non-Domestic Substance List (NDSL) is a list of substances believed to be in International commerce. It is basically the 1-year-old USA TSCA Inventory minus DSL substances. The substances on this list still require notification, but the trigger limits are higher and the amount of information to submit is less than if the substance is not on the NDSL.


Canada Domestic Substance List (DSL) and Non-Domestic Substance List (NDSL)
http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Canada/Canada_DSL_Domestic_Substance_List_NDSL.html

CIQ Inspection of Import and Export of Hazardous Chemicals in China

Pursuant to the regulations on safe management of hazardous chemicals in China that enters into force on 1 Dec 2011, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine(AQSIQ) or China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau(CIQ) is responsible for performing inspection of imported & exported hazardous chemicals and their packages.

Chinese companies who export hazardous chemicals abroad by sea or air need to obtain hazard identification and classification report from designated testing lab in China(for example, Shanghai Chemical Industry Testing Centre for Shanghai Port) to determine if those chemicals belong to dangerous goods. If those chemicals belong to dangerous goods, manufacturers of the dangerous goods and packages need to apply for an inspection from local Inspection and Quarantine authorities and get certified by CIQ. Otherwise, the goods cannot be exported.

If foreign companies export hazardous chemicals in China, Chinese importer shall apply for inspection from local Inspection and Quarantine authority at the port of entry.

The following documents shall be provided (at least) when applying for an inspection:

• Declaration of conformity;
• Licenses: Registration certificate for hazardous chemicals, operating license, safe-use license and business license;
• SDS in Chinese; sample of hazard communication label;
• Report on hazard identification and classification;

The following items will be inspected by CIQ:

• Identify whether the composition/constituent information of goods, physical and chemical properties, hazard class, packaging category meet the requirements of relevant standards, and whether they are consistent with the hazard identification and classification report, SDS and chemical safety label provided when applying for an inspection;
• Identify whether a Chinese SDS has been provided along with the goods, whether a Chinese label has been affixed on the packaging of goods; whether the contents in SDS and label meet the requirements of relevant standards and are consistent with the goods.
• Identify whether the models, category, specification, unit quantity and mark of packaging meet the standard requirements and whether the packaging has been adapted to the properties and uses of the inspected goods.
• Identify whether the packing method meets standard requirement and whether the use of package is appropriate, whether the packaging is sealed tightly and whether the goods inside the package have leaked.

If hazardous chemicals and packaging materials pass inspection, CIQ will issue a certificate of inspection and quarantine of imported commodities and the chemical products can now be sold and used in China.

Please note that sending a small quantity of sample by delivery service provider does not require CIQ inspection.

More info about how hazardous chemicals are regulated in China, please click here

Draft regulation of 3rd ATP to CLP regulation published.

5 Oct 2011, The European Commission published a draft Regulation amending the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures. This is the third adaptations progress (ATPs) to the CLP regulation.

The 3rd ATP will update the classifications of 16 substances (for example, 2-ethoxyethanol) in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 of Annex VI of CLP regulation. The draft regulation is expected to come into force on 1 June 2013. However, companies can adopt those updates on a voluntary basis prior to 1 June 2013.
The technical annexes of CLP Regulation, as well as certain articles, will be updated from time to time to ensure they are kept as comprehensive and accurate as possible – this is done through the EU comitology process. The amendments are known as adaptations to technical progress (ATPs) to the Regulation.
Use of harmonised classification and labelling set out in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 of Annex VI of CLP regulation is mandatory in Europe. It is very important that companies follow the updates of CLP regulation to ensure that they are using up-to-date classification criteria or harmonized classifications. The previous two adaptations are listed as follows:

First adaptation to technical progress

The 1st Adaptation to Technical Progress (1st ATP) is laid down in COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 790/2009. The regulation was issued on 10th Aug 2009 and entered into force on 01st Dec 2010. The regulation brings the entries from the 30th ATP & 31st ATP of Directive 67/548/EEC into Annex VI of CLP, resulting in the update of harmonized classifications in annex VI of CLP.

Second adaptation to technical progress

The 2nd Adaptation to Technical Progress (2nd ATP) to the CLP Regulation is laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No 286/2011 which entered into force on 19 April 2011. It includes various scientific-technical changes to the Annexes to the CLP Regulation. The main purpose of this regulation is to align CLP regulation with the 3rd revised edition of UN GHS. The changes relate, inter alia, to the labelling provisions, new sub-categories for respiratory and skin sensitisation, the revision of the classification criteria for long-term hazards (chronic toxicity) to the aquatic environment and the hazard class for substances and mixtures hazardous to the ozone layer.


The technical annexes of CLP Regulation(for example, Annex VI), as well as some articles, need to be updated from time to time to ensure they are kept as comprehensive and accurate as possible. The amendments are known as adaptations to technical progress (ATPs) to the Regulation. CLP regulation has gone through 7th amendments. 

 - See more at: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/EU/CLP_Regulation_EC_No_1272_2008.html

Occupational Exposure Limits in China - GBZ 2.1-2007 - Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace

An occupational exposure limit is an upper limit on the acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in workplace air for a particular material or class of materials.
In China, Occupational Exposure Limits(OELs) for hazardous chemicals is set by GBZ 2.1-2007 - Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace. The standard was revised by the Ministry of Health in 2007 and implemented from 1 Nov 2007.
There are three types of OELs for hazardous chemicals in China:

• Maximum allowable concentration (MAC); other countries might call it the ceiling value.
• Permissble concentration-time weighed average(PC-TWA): the maximum average concentration of a chemical in air for a normal 8-hour working day and 40-hour week;
• Permissble concentration-short term exposure limit(PC-STEL): the maximum average concentration to which workers can be exposed for a short period (usually 15 minutes);

The standard has set occupational exposure limits for 339 hazardous chemicals, 47 kinds of dust and 2 types of bacteria. The standard methods of monitoring the concentration of hazardous chemicals in workplace are defined in national standards GBZ 159-2004 and GBZ/T 160-2004.

Related Occupational Exposure Limits(OELs)

Types of Occupational Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)

California OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)

ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs)

AIHA Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEELs)

Occupational Exposure Limits in Europe

GESTIS: International Occupational Exposure Limit Database

Pesticides Regulations - Revised Pesticide Management Ordinance in China

In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of China took the lead to amend the currently most effective pesticide management laws, the administrative regulations – "Pesticide Management Ordinance", and handed in the "Pesticide Management Ordinance (Revised)" in July 2010 for the comments of the relevant pesticide management ministries, and in October 2010 submitted the "Pesticide Management Ordinance (Revised Draft to the State Council Legislative Affairs Office, who will solicit the opinions of relevant ministries.
Compared to the previous one issued in 1997, the amended pesticide regulation includes the following changes:

• Pesticide Registration System
  • Temporary registration is cancelled;
  • In case of registration of pesticide of the same active substance or change of applicable scope, method of use and dose level, one company can share other companies' data with authorization;
  • Update of registration certificate is required in case of the change of active substance, applicable scope, method of use ,dose level, and country of origin;
  • Registration information will be made public by the government.
• Production of Pesticides
  • Manufacturer shall apply for a production license. A registration certificate must be obtained first.
  • Both manufacturers and contracted manufacturers need to register and obtain production license;
  • Labels for pesticides shall be consistent with the registration and shall not include misleading information;
• Operation and Sales of Pesticides
  • An operating license must be obtained first.
  • Sellers need to comply with the requirements of ;
  • Sellers' record-keeping obligations are strengthened;
  • Management of import/export of restricted pesticides is strengthened. Clearance notification is required.

Pesticide GHS labels

Regulations for The Administration of Precursors and Chemicals Used in Production of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in China– 2005

In China, the main legislation regulating precursor chemicals is the Regulations for The Administration of Precursors and Chemicals Used in Production of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which came into force in Nov 2005.

The purpose of the legislation is to strengthen the administration of drug precursor chemicals, regulating the production, distribution, purchase, transportation and import and export of precursor chemicals, preventing precursor chemicals from being used in manufacturing drugs and psychotropic substances.

Updated in 2015: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/China/Drug_Precursor_Chemicals_List.html

Catalog and Classification of Precursor Chemicals

The precursor chemicals are classified into three categories. Category I includes the major materials that can be used for producing drugs. Categories II and III include the chemical agents that can be used for producing drugs. The detailed classification and types of precursor chemicals are shown as below:
Category I
1. 1-phenyl-2-propanone
2. 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone
3. piperonal
4. safrole
5. sassafras oil
6. iso-safrole
7. n-acetyl o-amino benzoic acid
8. o-amino benzoic acid
9. ergotic acid*
10. ergotamine*
11. ergobasine*
12. ephedrine, pseudo ephedrine, mesoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, methylephedrine, ephedrine extractum, ephedrine extractum powder and other ephedrine substances
Category II
1. phenyl acetic acid
2. acetic oxide
3. chloroform
4. aether
5. piperidine
Category III
1. toluene
2. acetic oxide acetone
3. methyl ether ketone
4. polsassium permanganate
5. sulphuric acid
6. hydrochloric acid
Notes:
1. The saline chemicals that may exist in the substances as listed in Category I or II shall be brought into control.
2. The types marked with "*" are precursor chemicals under the item of pharmaceuticals in Category I, which include the pharmaceutical raw materials and the single preparation thereof

16 Sept 2011, China MEP to restrict the construction of chemical plants and launch a nationwide inspection - CIRS News

16 Sept 2011, “China will limit the construction and expansion of chemical plants and launch a nationwide safety campaign to target all enterprises involved in the production and use of hazardous chemicals”, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection (MEP) Mr Zhang Lijun announced on 15 Sept 2011 at a meeting held in Beijing.

“The MEP will no longer accept applications for any new projects related to the production and storage of hazardous chemicals outside industrial parks from 15 Sept”, said Mr Zhang. Under Chinese laws, without an environmental impact assessment and official approval from MEP, a factory cannot be built.

Mr Zhang did not say when the ministry will accept applications again but admitted that the country faced worsening chemical pollution. "Environmental accidents involving toxic chemicals are on the rise, posing a grave threat to public safety and social stability. Since January last year, the ministry has dealt with 239 environmental emergencies caused by chemical spills, some of which threatened water safety”, he said.

“The country would raise the environmental standards of chemical plants and tighten penalties and fines on chemical factory owners who break the law”, said Mr Zhang. The ministry would give stricter punishments to those who build the plants without environmental approval and the factories which are put into operation without an examination of their pollution control measures.

In wake of several serious chemical pollution incidents, the ministry will start a nationwide inspection campaign of the producers of hazardous chemicals who have obtained operating license for production. The inspection campaign is to be concluded by the end of this year.

More info can be found here.
16 Sept 2011, China MEP to restrict the construction of chemical plants and launch a nationwide inspection - CIRS News

EU REACH Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and eSDS Format

Safety data sheets (SDS) have been a well-accepted and effective method for the provision to downstream users of information on chemical substances and mixtures in the EU. Most buyers(either importers or distributors or downstream users) in EU will request a copy of SDS when they buy chemicals. Other countries such as USA have used Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which is very similar to SDS in terms of format and contents.

The Annex II of EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) has mandated what information should and could be included in each section of the SDS. This annex II is ammended by the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 453/2010 in May 2010. All SDS shall meet the latest requirements of REACH regulation.

For substances that are sold in quantities of more than 10 tonnes per year and are classified as dangerous, Exposure Scenarios describing how a substance can be safely handled to control exposures to both human health and the environment shall be appendixed to SDS, forming extended safety data sheets(eSDS). This new SDS/eSDS is known as"REACH SDS".

Do I need to supply REACH SDS and when?

You need to supply REACH SDS to your customers before or at time of the first delivery of chemical in paper or electronic format if your product is:
- substance or a mixture that is classified as hazardous, or PBT/vPvB or SVHC;
- a mixture that is not classified as dangerous, but contains a substance posing human health or environmental hazards with a concentration of >1%w/w for non-gaseous mixtures or 0.2%v/v for gas;
- a mixture that is not classified as dangerous, but contains a substance that is PBT, or vPvB, or SVHC in an individual concentration of ≥ 0.1 % by weight for mixtures that are solid or liquids (i.e., non-gaseous mixtures);

*persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), substance of very high conern(SVHC).

Note 1: REACH SDS is not required for substances/mixtures which are not classified as hazardous;

Note 2: REACH SDS is not required for end-user products such as cosmetics, detergents;

Note 3: Where a customer re-orders substances or mixtures, then the supplier does not need to re-supply the SDS, unless the sheet’s contents have been updated.

Note 4: EU SDS is consistent with GHS Safety Data Sheets. If you are new to GHS, please read the following basic GHS topics.

Introduction to GHS

GHS Hazard Class and Hazard Category

GHS Signal Word

GHS Pictogram

GHS Hazard Statement

GHS Precautionary Statement

GHS Label Element

GHS Safety Data Sheet

UN GHS Purple Book

Related GHS Info & Resources

• GHS in EU/CLP
• GHS in USA
• GHS in Switzerland
• GHS in Turkey
• GHS in Australia
• GHS in Canada
• GHS in Brazil
• GHS in China
• GHS in Korea
• GHS in Japan
• GHS in Taiwan
• GHS in Singapore
• GHS in Indonesia
• GHS in Malaysia
• GHS in Thailand
• GHS in Vietnam
• GHS in Philippines
• GHS in New Zealand
• GHS in Other Countries

REACH Registration Deadlines 2010, 2013 and 2018

REACH requires all companies manufacturing or placing a substance on the EU market in quantities greater than 1t/year to register that substance with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). For legal reasons, only companies with a legal entity in Europe are allowed to submit a registration; however, non-EU companies may submit registration by appointing an EU-based Only Representative to register on their behalf, in which case their importers will be regarded as downstream users and do not need to do registrations.

REACH Registration Deadlines 2010, 2013 and 2018

Substances can be categorized into two groups under REACH: phase-in substances and non phase-in substances. Each group has different REACH registration deadlines.

Phase-in substances("existing substances") enjoy benefits of extended registration deadlines if pre-registered before Dec 2008. The principle is that the higher the tonnage, the earlier the registration deadline. Substances classified as CMR1/2 or R50/53(100t/y+)need to be registered before 30 Nov 2010.

Non phase-in substances("new substances not covered by the definition of a phase in substance") need to be registered immediately before being placed in the EU market.

More info about REACH registration can be found below.
REACH Registration Deadlines

Reminder: Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), EU REACH regulation does not apply. Switzerland has its own chemical regulations adopting REACH-like registration and restriction requirements. Please refer to Swiss Chemicals Ordinance (ChemO) and Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem) for more info.

What is New? Top 10 Differences between Taiwan TCSCA and EU REACH Compared

Taiwan TCSCA is another new important REACH-like chemical regulation that imitates EU REACH regulation. Despite many similarities, Taiwan TCSCA and EU REACH are different in many aspects. In this article, we have summarized the top 10 differences between Taiwan TCSCA and EU REACH to help you comply with TCSCA.

REACH Registration Beginners' Guide

REACH requires all companies manufacturing or placing a substance on the EU market in quantities greater than 1t/year to register that substance with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). For legal reasons, only companies with a legal entity in Europe are allowed to submit a registration; however, non-EU companies may submit registration by appointing an EU-based Only Representative to register on their behalf, in which case their importers will be regarded as downstream users and do not need to do registrations.

The Scope of REACH Registration

- Substances manufactured/imported above 1t/y on its own or in preparations;(Note: some substances are exempted.)
- Substances in articles if present above 1 t/y and intended for release(for example, ink a pen);
- Monomer substances if present at a concentration above 2% in a polymer(for polymers, monomers shall be registered);
- Intermediates - reduced requirements and lower costs;
- Substances subject to Product and Process Oriented Research and Development( PPORD ) exempted from registration for 5 (+ 5) years; However, PPORD notification needs to be submitted.

The Deadline of REACH Registration

Substances can be categorized into two groups under REACH: phase-in substances and non phase-in substances. Each group has different REACH registration deadline.

Phase-in substances("existing substances") enjoy benefits of extended registration deadlines if pre-registered before Dec 2008. The principle is that the higher the tonnage, the earlier the registration deadline. Substances classified as CMR1/2 or R50/53(100t/y+)need to be registered before 30 Nov 2010 (see next diagram).

Non phase-in substances("new substances not covered by the definition of a phase in substance") need to be registered immediately before being placed in the EU market.

More info about REACH registration can be found below:
REACH Registration

Reminder: Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), EU REACH regulation does not apply. Switzerland has its own chemical regulations adopting REACH-like registration and restriction requirements. Please refer to Swiss Chemicals Ordinance (ChemO) and Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem) for more info.

Full English Translation of GB/T 16483-2008: Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products Content and Order of Sections - China

In China, the most important standards specifying the content and format of SDSs in China are GB/T 16483-2008 safety data sheet for chemical products: content and order of sections issued in 2008 and GB/T 17519-2013 Guidance on the compilation of safety data sheet for chemical products issued in 2013. GB/T 16483-2008 specifies the basic content and order of 16 sections in Chinese SDSs while GB/T 17519-2013 provides detailed guidelines on how each section should be compiled in China.

• Product identification: Consistent with names on label;
• Composition information: Hazardous ingredients displayed in a descending order based on concentration or concentration ranges;
• 24h emergency telephone number: Required;
• Language: Must be prepared in simplified Chinese.

Information Disclosure in SDSs

Both GB 15258-2009 and GB/T 17519-2013 have given clear guidance on information disclosure on labels and in SDSs. Hazardous ingredients contributing to the classification of a substance or mixture and their concentration or concentration ranges shall be disclosed. Generic names are acceptable.

For trade secret ingredients, real substance names and CAS numbers can be hidden. However, hazards shall be fully disclosed.

Full English Translation of GB/T 16483-2008: Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products Content and Order of Sections - China

Related GHS Info & Resources

• GHS in EU/CLP
• GHS in USA
• GHS in Switzerland
• GHS in Turkey
• GHS in Australia
• GHS in Canada
• GHS in Brazil
• GHS in China
• GHS in Korea
• GHS in Japan
• GHS in Taiwan
• GHS in Singapore
• GHS in Indonesia
• GHS in Malaysia
• GHS in Thailand
• GHS in Vietnam
• GHS in Philippines
• GHS in New Zealand
• GHS in Other Countries

Full English Translation of GB 15258-2009: General Rules for Preparation of Precautionary Label for Chemicals

GB 15258-2009 General rules for preparation of precautionary label for chemicals has set detailed requirements on the content and format of chemical labels. China has adopted standard GHS label elements(see example given below) and set additional requirements on language, 24h emergency telephone number, and sizes, etc. This standard is compulsory.

Detailed Requirements of GB 15258-2009

• Language: simplified Chinese;
• Chemical identification: in both Chinese and English;
• Display of hazard statements: physical hazards must be displayed first followed by health hazards and environmental hazards;
• Domestic 24h emergency telephone number: required for imported hazardous chemicals;
• Small packages (<=100ml): precautionary statements can be omitted;
• Border color of a pictogram: black only allowed for chemicals for domestic use;
• Pictogram size: not specified; must be visible from a distance;
• Label size: depending on package capacity( please refer to the table below);

Related GHS Info & Resources

• GHS in EU/CLP
• GHS in Switzerland
• GHS in USA
• GHS in Canada
• GHS in Turkey
• GHS in Brazil
• GHS in China
• GHS in Korea
• GHS in Japan
• GHS in Taiwan
• GHS in Singapore
• GHS in Indonesia
• GHS in Malaysia
• GHS in Thailand
• GHS in Vietnam
• GHS in Philippines
• GHS in New Zealand
• GHS in Australia
• GHS in Other Countries

Full English Translation of GB 15258-2009: General Rules for Preparation of Precautionary Label for Chemicals from CIRS

REACH SVHC List 2015

Substances fulfilling one or more of the criteria defined in Article 57 of the REACH Regulation can be identified as "substances of very high concern" (SVHC) and put on the "candidate List for authorization" which is also called "REACH SVHC list". These SVHC can be:

• substances meeting the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) category 1 or 2;
• persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) substances; or
• very persistent and very bio-accumulative (vPvB) substances;
• substances for which there is evidence for similar concern, such as endocrine disruptors.

SVHCs may be further included in the Authorization List (REACH Annex XVII) and become subject to authorization. These substances cannot be placed on the market or used after a given date, unless an authorization is granted for their specific use, or the use is exempted from authorisation.

Reminder: There are 3 important regulatory lists under REACH: REACH SVHC List, REACH Authorization List and REACH Restricted Substance List. Have you read about the other two lists?

Current State of REACH SVHC List

The candidate list for authorization or SVHC list is updated frequently. There are 161 substances on the candidate list(last updated: 17 December 2014). Please click the picture below to download the latest REACH SVHC list. It also shows how to find out the date of inclusion for a substance on the list.

What does REACH SVHC list mean to you?

You shall closely monitor the update of SVHC list. You may have immediate legal obligations following inclusion of the substance on the REACH SVHC list.

If your article contains substance(s) included in the SVHC list in concentration above 0.1% (w/w), you need to fulfill the following obligations:

• Duty to communication information on SVHCs - REACH article 33;
• Notification of SVHC in articles to ECHA- REACH article 7(2);

It shall be noted that you also need to check if your products contain any substances on REACH restricted substance list..

Read more about REACH SVHC list.

Related Substance Restrictions

REACH Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)

REACH Restricted Substances

EU RoHS/RoHS 2

China RoHS 2

Norway PoHS

Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance

California Proposition 65

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Ozone-depleting Substances

Mercury and Its Compounds

RoSH2 Came Into Force on 27 May 2011

Five years after the introduction of RoHS, a new European Union RoHS Directive (known as RoHS2) was adopted by the European Council on 27 May 2011. The new Member State RoHS2 Regulations will take effect 18 months after its adoption. However, many companies are not aware of the new RoHS2 scope, the obligations of distributors and the associated sample testing requirements.

RoHS
The original RoHS is an EU Directive (2002/95/EC) pertaining to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). It was adopted by the EU in February 2003 and brought into force 1st of July 2006.

This directive was brought into force in order to limit the component concentration of six hazardous substances found in EEE as they are harmful to the environment, mainly through the pollution of landfills.
RoHS Directive covers a wide range of products, including not only integrated electrical and electronic products but also individual parts, raw materials and packing cases.

This directive is very closely related to the WEEE directive, Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2002/96/EC) except RoHS regulates hazardous substances in EEE while WEEE regulates the disposal of the same equipment.
RoHS2 is an updated / recast version of RoHS. There are no additions to or difference in the six restricted substances, as can be viewed in table below. However, there is a proposed inclusion of Category 8 (medical devices from 2014) and Category 9 (control and monitoring instruments from 2014) and also a new Category 11, which captures all other ‘grey area’ electrical equipment(from 2019), and encorporates new CE Marking requirements. The date of this proposed inclusion is 2012 or later.

RoHS does not require any specific product labeling, however many manufacturers have adopted their own compliance marks. Examples of the visual indicators in use today include explicit "RoHS compliant" labels, green leaves, check marks, and "PB-Free" markings. Chinese RoHS labels use a lower case "e" within a circle with arrows, which can also designate compliance.

The new proposed RoHS2 directive attempts to address this issue of non-defined/non-approved/non harmonized compliance marks and reduce confusion by mandating the use of the CE mark and by introducing an additional enforcement agency, Trading Standards.

Besides, RoHS2 will work closely with REACH. Controlled substances such as HBCDD, DEHP, BBP and DBP by REACH might also be added to RoHS2 list in the future.

Reminder: Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), EU REACH regulation does not apply. Switzerland has its own chemical regulations adopting REACH and RoHS restriction requirements. Please refer to Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem) for more info.

China RoHS2 vs EU RoHS2

May 2015, As China is close to adopting its upgraded China RoHS regulation (China RoHS 2), we feel it necessary to look into this new regulation and compare it with EU RoHS 2. Read more.

What Is New in EU RoHS 2

On 4 June 2015, the EU commission has published a new Directive (EU) 2015/863 to amend Annex II to EU RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU) to add the following 4 phthalates onto the list of restricted substances.

• Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): max 0.1%;
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): max 0.1%;
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): max 0.1%;
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): max 0.1%.

10 hazardous substances will now be restricted in EEE under EU RoHS 2.

Related Substance Restrictions

REACH Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)

REACH Restricted Substances

EU RoHS/RoHS 2

China RoHS 2

Norway PoHS

Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance

California Proposition 65

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Ozone-depleting Substances

Mercury and Its Compounds

Japan Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL)

Japan's Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL) was firstly enacted in 1972 to ensure the safety and health of workers in workplaces. IHSL designates substances that are prohibited to manufacture or import, substances requiring permission and chemical substances requiring safety data sheets and labels. ISHL also controls new substances and requires manufacturers and importers to notify them to the Ministry of Labor and Welfare (MHLW) prior to production and importation. 

Chemicals Regulated under Japan ISHL
The following categories of chemicals are regulated by Japan ISHL:

- New chemical substances;
- Harmful substances to be prohibited(~10 substances);
- Harmful substances to be permitted(~7 substances);
- Harmful substances to be indicated(~99 substances);
- Notified substances to be delivered MSDS(~640 substances);

New Substance Notification under ISHL

Any substance that is not on ISHL list requires notification prior to manufacture or importation. ISHL list consists of two parts:

• Existing chemical substances under CSCL(in commerce in Japan before 1973)- approximately 20,600 substances;
• New substances notified under ISHL and published on government Gazette;

More info about ISHL list and ISHL can be found below.
Japan Industrial Safety and Health Law

Japan Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)

Japanese Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) was initially implemented on 16 April 1974, and the latest amended law was published on 20 May 2009. The amended law will enter into force fully from 1 April 2011.

Scope of Japan CSCL
Japan CSCL covers general industrial chemical products only, which include both new chemicals and existing chemicals. Food or feed additives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers are subject to different laws and acts.

General industrial chemical products might also be subject to the requirements of the Industrial Safety and Health Law(ISHL), the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act, the Air Pollution Control Law, and the Water Pollution Control Act.

The three government bodies responsible for the implementation of CSCL are the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

Chemicals Regulated under Japan CSCL
The following categories of chemicals are regulated by Japan CSCL:

- New Chemical Substances;
- General Chemicals;
- Priority Assessment Chemical Substances(~1,000 substances);
- Monitoring Chemical Substances (~36 substances);
- Class II Specified Chemical Substances (23 substances);
- Class I Specified Chemical Substances (16 substances);

New Chemical Substance Notification under Japan CSCL
Manufacturers and importers in Japan shall submit new chemical notification to three authorities: METI, MHLW, and MOE, to obtain approval notice from the governments prior to the manufacture or import of the new substance. Foreign manufacturers exporting new chemicals to Japan may also submit new chemical notifications by themselves.

A new chemical substance is defined as a chemical substance other than those listed as follows:

- Existing chemical substances (Approx. 20,600 substances): Chemical substances that were already manufactured/imported at the time of the promulgation of the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL) in 1973;
- Notified chemicals by public notice from the three ministries (Approx. 6,100 substances);
- Class I and II specified chemical substances;
- Priority assessment chemical substances;


All existing chemical substances and notified substances are given MITI numbers which are important for custom clearance.

More info about Japan CSCL and new substance notification under CSCL can be found at:
Japan CSCL

GB 20592-2006 safety rules for classification, precautionary labeling and precautionary statements of chemicals -acute toxicity

This is one of China's 26 classification standards in accordance with GHS. The classification criteria for acute toxicity(gases) is based on UN GHS 1st Edition(2003) and this criteria is different from EU CLP regulation or UN GHS 3rd revised version. The major difference is listed as below:

GB 20592-2006: Acute toxicity for gas,category 4, 2500ppm < LC50 < 5000ppm;
CLP or UN-GHS 2009: Acute toxicity for gas,category 4, 2500ppm < LC50 < 20,000ppm;

The standard has been replaced by
GB 30000.2-29-2013 Safety rules for classification and labelling of chemicals

Related GHS Info & Resources

• GHS in EU/CLP
• GHS in Switzerland
• GHS in USA
• GHS in Canada
• GHS in Turkey
• GHS in Brazil
• GHS in China
• GHS in Korea
• GHS in Japan
• GHS in Taiwan
• GHS in Singapore
• GHS in Indonesia
• GHS in Malaysia
• GHS in Thailand
• GHS in Vietnam
• GHS in Philippines
• GHS in New Zealand
• GHS in Australia
• GHS in Other Countries

GB 20576-2006 : safety rules for classification, precautionary labeling and precautionary statements of chemicals - explosives

This national standard is one of 26 China's national standards for classification of chemicals in accordance with GHS. This standard is available from:
GB 20576-2006 – safety rules for classification, precautionary labeling and precautionary statements of chemicals - explosives


The standard has been replaced by
GB 30000.2-29-2013 Safety rules for classification and labelling of chemicals

GB 20577-2006: safety rules for classification, precautionary labeling and precautionary statements of chemicals - flammable gases

This national standard is one of 26 China's national standards for classification of chemicals in accordance with GHS. This standard is available from:
GB 20577-2006: safety rules for classification, precautionary labeling and precautionary statements of chemicals - flammable gases



This standard has been replaced by GB30000 issued in 2013.