By Bryan Zhou, CIRS Europe
China has already fully implemented China GHS standards on May 1st 2011. China GHS is based on UN GHS Rev.4. In China, GHS can be applied and required in several fields including:
Import and export (e.g. customs declaration),
Registration and safety permit of hazard chemicals (part of materials should be submitted when do hazard chemical registration),
Information communication in supply chain;
Others.
In China, the general regulation of hazardous chemicals is Regulations on the Control over Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (the State Council Decree No.591), which regulate the requirements for hazard chemical enterprises when comply with China GHS in practice. In Decree No.591, illegal behaviors of China GHS and penalty are specified, further details upon on request.
Basic information as follows:
Classification
The national standards of classification are known as GB 30000 series, which consist of GB 30000.2-2013 to GB30000.29-2013. They have been implemented on Nov 11th 2014. The classification standards are fully based on UN GHS Rev.4 and there are 28 hazardous classifications, which include 16 physical hazardous classifications, 10 health hazardous classifications and 2 environmental classifications.
Safety Data Sheet
There are two national standards of SDS: one is National Standard on Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products (GB16483-2008), the other is Guidance on the compilation of safety data sheet for chemical products (GB17519-2013). The Chinese SDS has standard format with 16 sections and all the headings of sections are the same as UN GHS. Nevertheless special requirements should be noticed when preparing Chinese SDS. Specifically, a 24-hour China domestic emergency phone number is required when you make your SDS.
Label
Label standard in China is known as National Standard on General Rules for Preparation of Precautionary Label for Chemicals (GB 15258-2009), which is issued on May 1st 2010 and fully implemented on Apr 30th 2011. Besides requirements made by UN GHS, China GHS also has requirements regarding label size, language, 24-hour China domestic emergency phone number, etc.
Summary
EU enterprises require careful compliance with China GHS due to its special requirements regarding Chinese product name, 24-hour domestic Chinese emergency number, etc. They should gain insight into China GHS standards for more detailed information. SDS and labelling are required by multi-fields. Under more stringent supervision, China GHS is playing a more significant role in chemical business communication in China. Considering the vast territory of China, extra requirements may be required by local customs, local safety departments etc. Communication with local authorities is also encouraged. Enterprises should be certain when handling requirements of Chinese chemical regulations and take responsibility to ensure accuracy in their GHS information.
