China has fully implemented GHS for all hazardous substances and mixtures from 1 May 2011. Decree 591 requires manufacturers of hazardous chemicals to classify, label and package chemicals as well as prepare safety data sheets in accordance with relevant national standards. Decree 591 also prohibits distributors from selling hazardous chemicals without SDSs and labels. In addition, GHS SDSs and labels are required by new substance notification under MEP Order 7 and HazChem registration under SAWS Order 53.
Chemical classification criteria and the content and format of SDSs and labels are set by several compulsory national standards (prefixed with "GB") and recommended national standards (prefixed "GB/T") issued between 2008 and 2013. The table below summarizes the latest Chinese national standards that businesses need to follow to classify chemicals and prepare SDSs and labels.
Classification Standards & Building Blocks in China
In 2013, the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China (SAC) issued 28 compulsory chemical classification standards (GB 30000.2-2013 to GB 30000.29-2013 Safety rules for classification and labelling of chemicals) and each standard corresponds to one hazard class under GHS. Those standards are fully aligned with UN GHS Rev. 4 and have adopted all building blocks under UN GHS Rev. 4 including aspiration hazards and hazards to the ozone layer.
For those who are interested in knowing chemical classification criteria in China, they may directly refer to the English version of UN GHS Rev. 4 since GB 30000.2~29 are directly translated from UN GHS Rev. 4.
Compulsory GHS Classification in China
For chemicals listed in the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals, the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) is planning to issue a guidance document on harmonized chemical classifications of those chemicals. Once this guidance is issued, companies must use the classifications given in the guidance or more severe classification to classify their chemicals and prepare SDSs and labels.
Requirements on Chinese GHS Labels
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.
Related GHS Info & Resources
Related GHS Info & Resources
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