CHINA GHS REGULATORY UPDATE
On August 21, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) opened a public consultation on nine draft mandatory national standards. Two of the drafts would revise China's chemical classification and labelling rules for flammable liquids and oxidizing solids.
The proposed standards are:
Rules for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals - Part 7: Flammable Liquids, which would replace GB 30000.7-2013; and
Rules for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals - Part 15: Oxidizing Solids, which would replace GB 30000.15-2013.
Comments may be submitted until October 19, 2026. If approved and published, each revised standard is proposed to take effect 12 months after publication. Until then, the current 2013 editions remain applicable.
For these two hazard classes, the drafts use the eleventh revised edition of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN GHS Rev. 11) as their technical basis.
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Draft Standards at a Glance
| Draft Standard | Current Standard | Main Proposed Changes | Proposed Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids | GB 30000.7-2013 | Open-cup flash-point rules, conditions for mixture calculations, updated scope and label elements | 12 months after publication |
| Oxidizing solids | GB 30000.15-2013 | Test O.3 classification pathway, physical-form considerations and updated label elements | 12 months after publication |
The drafts would also make the standards mandatory in full, replacing the current editions' structure containing both mandatory and recommendatory provisions.
Companies responsible for China GHS classification, SDS and label compliance should use the consultation period to review whether their existing test data and classification rationale would remain suitable under the proposed rules.
Proposed Changes for Flammable Liquids
The draft for flammable liquids retains the four existing GHS hazard categories, with flash point and initial boiling point remaining the principal classification parameters.
Open-Cup Flash-Point Data
Closed-cup testing would remain the preferred approach. However, the draft provides a route for using open-cup results when a closed-cup method cannot be applied, such as because of sample viscosity, or when only existing open-cup data are available.
In these cases, 5.6°C would be deducted from the measured open-cup flash point before the result is used for classification. This provision may be relevant to high-viscosity products and companies relying on historical test data.
Conditions for Calculating Mixture Flash Points
For certain mixtures containing flammable liquids at known concentrations, the draft allows flash point to be calculated when specified conditions concerning composition, lower explosive limits, vapour pressure, activity coefficients and liquid-phase homogeneity are satisfied.
A calculation alone would not be sufficient when the calculated flash point is less than 5°C above the relevant classification threshold. In that situation, the flash point would need to be determined by testing.
Companies using calculated values should therefore review both the underlying assumptions and the margin between the calculated result and the applicable category threshold.
Scope and Label Elements
The draft clarifies that aerosols and chemicals under pressure are not classified as flammable liquids. These products should instead be assessed under the applicable aerosol, chemical-under-pressure or other relevant hazard class.
Flammable liquids in Categories 1 to 3 would continue to use the flame pictogram. Category 4 would not use a pictogram but would retain the signal word “Warning” and hazard statement H227, “Combustible liquid.”
Relevant precautionary statements would address ignition-source control, container closure, static-discharge prevention, explosion-proof equipment, ventilation, storage and fire response.
Proposed Changes for Oxidizing Solids
Oxidizing solids are materials that are not necessarily combustible themselves but may cause or intensify the combustion of other materials, generally by contributing oxygen.
The draft continues to divide oxidizing solids into three categories but introduces an additional classification pathway based on test O.3.
Introduction of Test O.3
The most notable technical change is the addition of classification criteria based on test O.3 alongside the existing test pathway.
Classification would be determined using the applicable oxidizing-solid test method under GB/T 21617. The burning behaviour of the tested product would be compared with specified calcium peroxide and cellulose reference mixtures to determine the appropriate category.
Companies should confirm which test method supports their existing classification and whether the available evidence remains suitable under the revised criteria.
Product Form May Affect Test Results
The classification test should be conducted using the physical form in which the product is supplied or transported.
If the particle size, form or supply condition of a chemical changes materially and the change could affect its test performance, the product may need to be assessed again in its new physical form. This is particularly relevant to powders, granules and products supplied in several particle-size ranges.
Label and Hazard Communication
All three oxidizing-solid categories would use the flame-over-circle pictogram.
Category 1 would use the signal word “Danger” and hazard statement H271, “May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer.” Categories 2 and 3 would use H272, “May intensify fire; oxidizer,” with Category 2 using “Danger” and Category 3 using “Warning.”
The proposed precautionary statements address separation from heat, ignition sources, clothing and combustible materials, as well as protective equipment and emergency response. For Category 1, the draft includes P420, “Store separately,” among the applicable precautionary statements.
The draft also notes that some oxidizing solids, including certain ammonium nitrate materials, may present an explosion hazard under particular conditions such as bulk storage. Where relevant, these additional hazards should be separately assessed and appropriately communicated in the safety data sheet (SDS).
Which Companies and Products May Be Affected?
The proposed changes may be relevant to manufacturers, exporters, importers and suppliers handling products such as:
solvent blends, coatings, inks, adhesives and cleaning products;
fuels and other liquid formulations with potentially flammable properties;
nitrates, chlorates, perchlorates and peroxides; and
other solid substances or mixtures with potential oxidizing properties.
The actual impact will depend on the product's composition, physical properties, test data, form of supply and existing classification.
China's Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law, effective May 1, 2026, requires manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals to provide Chinese SDS documents and Chinese safety labels. It also provides for penalties where these documents do not meet applicable national standards. Classification and label information is also included in the required hazardous chemical registration information.
Although changes in hazard data may prompt companies to review related transport information, GHS classification and dangerous goods transport classification remain separate regulatory determinations. Companies should assess each under its applicable rules.
What Should Companies Do During the Consultation Period?
The drafts do not yet change the currently applicable classification or labelling requirements. Companies can nevertheless begin a proportionate readiness review:
Identify potentially affected products. Screen product portfolios for flammable-liquid or oxidizing-solid properties.
Review existing data. Confirm the source, date and test method for flash-point and oxidizing-property data.
Check classification margins. Identify mixtures whose calculated flash points are close to category thresholds.
Confirm the supplied physical form. Determine whether different particle sizes or product forms are covered by the existing oxidizing-solid assessment.
Map possible document changes. Identify the sections of Chinese SDS documents and labels that could require revision if the drafts are adopted as proposed.
Monitor the final standards. Do not implement definitive classification or label changes until the final text, implementation date and any transition arrangements are confirmed.
How REACH24H Can Help
REACH24H supports manufacturers, exporters and importers with China GHS classification, SDS and label compliance, including:
reviewing existing hazard classifications and supporting data;
identifying potential gaps in Chinese SDS documents and labels;
assessing the impact of revised classification criteria on hazard communication; and
preparing or updating Chinese SDS documents and labels based on applicable final requirements.
Start Your China GHS Assessment
If your products may be classified as flammable liquids or oxidizing solids, you can provide the existing SDS, label, composition and available physical-property data for an initial review.
