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An update to the rules governing the categorization and disclosure of chemical hazards has been released by Chinese officials. The eighth updated version of the United Nations’ “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS) is technically compliant with this document (GHS 8).
The first installment of the GB 30000 series, “Specifications for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Part 1: General Rules” (GB 30000.1-2024), was released on July 24, 2024 by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China.
The General Rules for Classification and Hazard Communication of Chemicals” (GB 13690-2009), which essentially implements GHS 4, are scheduled to be replaced by this standard on August 1, 2025.
Main Content
The terminology and definitions pertaining to chemical classification and labeling are provided in this document, together with the general specifications for chemical hazard classification, labeling, and safety data sheets. The United Nations “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals” (GHS) governs the classification and disclosure of chemicals. However, it does not apply to products that are intended for human consumption, such as cosmetics, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and leftover pesticides in food. The guidelines in this article must still be adhered to, nevertheless, if there is a chance that workers or those transporting them might be exposed to these compounds
- Revised terminology and definitions to “GHS-specified definitions and abbreviations”
The present text is governed by the definitions and terminologies found in the Eighth Revised Edition of the United Nations “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (Appendix A, “Definitions and abbreviations as specified in GHS”). Appendix A of this regulation contains the material of Chapter 3 from GB 13690-2009, which includes 75 words and definitions.
- The inclusion of a desensitized explosives category
Desensitized explosives is now the 17th category added to the original 16 categories of physical dangers. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the GB 30000.X-202X “Specifications for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Part X: Desensitized Explosives” (draft for comments) on June 16, 2023. This document has not yet been made official. Nonetheless, Part 30 was previously mentioned as the standard number for desensitized explosives in the regulation’s inception. The definitions and vocabulary, categorization guidelines, reasoning behind decisions, and labeling specifications for explosives that have been desensitized are all intended to be established.
- The minimal data for safety data sheets was removed from GB 13690-2009’s Appendix D.
The fundamental specifications for each of the 16 SDS sections, together with the minimal information required for safety data sheets, have been completely eliminated. The SDS production standards GB/T 16483-2008 “Safety data sheet for chemical products—Content and order of sections” and GB/T 17519-2013 “Guidance on the compilation of safety data sheet for chemical products” should be consulted, as they already have regulations governing the SDS and do not imply the absence of requirements for any of the various parts of the SDS.