On September 16, 2025, the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China (Second Draft for Review) was released following deliberation at the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress.

Background

China, as one of the world’s largest producers, users, importers, exporters, and consumers of hazardous chemicals, faces severe safety challenges. The existing regulatory framework is insufficient to meet the safety management needs across the supply chain, creating the need for specialized legislation.

The draft law introduces provisions covering planning and layout, production and storage safety, usage, operations, transportation, registration, emergency response, and legal liabilities. Its objectives are to prevent and mitigate hazardous chemical accidents, protect public health and safety, and safeguard the ecological environment. The law applies to hazardous chemicals management in production, storage, usage, operation, and transportation.

Key Provisions

General Provisions

· Companies handling hazardous chemicals must implement a full-staff safety responsibility system, risk classification, hidden hazard management, and regular inspections of major hazardous sources.

· Production, use, or trade of prohibited hazardous chemicals is banned; restricted substances must comply with state regulations.

· Individuals and entities may report violations or safety hazards to supervisory authorities.

Planning and Layout

· Chemical industrial parks must be designated by provincial or equivalent governments, undergo risk assessments at least every three years, and adopt risk-control measures.

· Hazardous chemical facilities must maintain regulated safety distances from schools, residences, and other public areas.

Production and Storage Safety

· Producers and storage operators must clearly mark pipelines, conduct routine inspections, and maintain safety records.

· Producers require a hazardous chemicals safety production license before operations.

· Producers and importers must provide Chinese-language safety data sheets (SDS) and labels consistent with national standards.

Usage Safety

· Enterprises using specified hazardous chemicals above defined thresholds must obtain a usage license.

· Entities must provide employees with SDS, labels, training, and emergency guidance.

Operational Safety

· Hazardous chemical operations require a state license; unlicensed trading is prohibited.

· Producers and traders must supply purchasers with compliant safety documentation.

Transportation Safety

· Entities transporting hazardous chemicals by road or water must register and obtain permits under national regulations.

· Road transport of highly toxic chemicals requires additional permits from local public security authorities.

Hazardous Chemicals Registration

· Producers and importers must register chemicals with national agencies, including details on classification, labeling, hazards, storage, use, transport, and emergency response.

Emergency Response

· Supervisors and managers may halt production and order evacuations when safety is at risk.

Legal Liabilities

· Unauthorized production, use, or trade of prohibited chemicals will result in cessation orders, confiscation of goods and equipment, fines, and other penalties.

Supplementary Provisions

· Import and export of hazardous chemicals must comply with trade and export control laws.

· Imported chemicals are subject to domestic safety management requirements for storage, use, operation, and transportation.

· The public may submit comments on the draft within 30 days via official channels.

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