CHINA GB 15258 REGULATORY UPDATE
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is seeking public comments from September 12 to 18, 2026, on the draft for approval of GB 15258, Rules for preparation of chemicals safety labels. The proposed compulsory national standard would replace the currently effective GB 15258-2009 and revise requirements for chemical identification, small containers, fold-out labels and chemical kits. The revision has not been formally issued or entered into force. Its publication and implementation dates remain blank. The explanatory notes recommend a 12-month period between publication and implementation, but this is a proposal, not a confirmed transition period.
For overseas chemical suppliers and Chinese importers, the immediate task is to identify where Chinese labels, safety data sheets (SDSs) and packaging would need coordinated changes. REACH24H's China GHS, SDS and label services support companies preparing hazard communication documents for the Chinese market.
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Removal of QR Code Provisions May Ease Label Updates
The draft for approval removes the hazardous chemical safety information code provisions included in the earlier consultation draft. The draft and accompanying explanatory notes record this change following the April 2026 review meeting.
For overseas suppliers and Chinese importers, this could simplify label update planning by removing one proposed element to accommodate under the revised GB 15258. If retained in the final standard, the change may ease the associated label design and coordination work. Companies should still assess any separately applicable information-code requirements and review their Chinese SDSs and safety labels against the requirements relevant to their products.
GHS Basis and Earlier Consultation
The explanatory notes state that the revision draws on the 11th revised edition of the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The earlier consultation draft drew on the 10th revised edition. The project was also notified to the WTO, with a comment period from September 15 to November 14, 2025.
Key Provisions in the Draft for Approval
The following requirements describe the proposed text, rather than new obligations already in force. Label elements remain linked to China's GB 30000 series of chemical classification and labeling standards.
Chemical Names and Mixture Ingredients
The chemical or common name would appear prominently at the top of the label in Chinese, with English where necessary. Chinese and English names must match those in the SDS. On multilingual labels, the Chinese chemical name cannot be smaller than the foreign-language name.
For mixtures, the label would identify the main ingredients contributing to hazard classification, with their concentrations or concentration ranges, up to five ingredients. Priority applies to ingredients causing the following hazards when those hazards appear on the label: acute toxicity; skin corrosion or serious eye damage; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; respiratory or skin sensitization; and specific target organ toxicity.
Ingredients that constitute trade secrets may be omitted, but their hazards and corresponding safety measures must still be disclosed. The small-container provisions below allow additional simplification of mixture identification.
Supplier Details and Emergency Information
Supplier identification would include the manufacturer's or distributor's name, address, postal code and telephone number, using the appropriate role description.
The label would also need the manufacturer's 24-hour chemical accident emergency consultation number, or a 24-hour number provided by a service commissioned by the manufacturer or importer. A separate prompt must direct users to the SDS.
Hazard Information and Label Production
Pictograms and hazard statements would follow the order of physical hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards. Within environmental hazards, the environmental hazard symbol precedes the exclamation mark. An exclamation mark already used for health hazards would not be repeated for environmental hazards.
All applicable hazard statements must appear. Precautionary statements may be combined or adjusted for the chemical's actual circumstances, but core precautionary statements cannot be deleted.
The overall label border must be black or contrast clearly with the background. Pictogram frames remain distinct: the draft specifies black symbols on a white background with red frames, while permitting black frames for use within China. Printing must be clear, and both printing and adhesive materials must be durable and waterproof.
Simplified Labels for Containers up to 500 mL
Containers with a capacity of 500 mL or less could use simplified labels. These would normally retain the chemical identifier, pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, emergency telephone number, supplier name and telephone number, and an SDS reference prompt. Clause 4.4.2 permits further reductions according to container capacity.
| Container capacity | Permitted simplified label content |
|---|---|
| More than 100 mL and up to 500 mL | The simplified label elements listed above. |
| More than 10 mL and up to 100 mL | The simplified label elements listed above; mixture component information may be omitted from the chemical identifier. |
| More than 5 mL and up to 10 mL | Chemical identifier, pictograms, supplier name and an SDS reference prompt. |
| 5 mL or less | Chemical identifier only. |
The mixture-component omission applies to containers of 100 mL or less. The product's outer packaging must still carry a label containing all label elements, affixed, printed or tied to the packaging. Simplification of the immediate-container label does not remove this requirement.
Foldable Labels and Chemical Kits
Fold-out labels could be used where packaging shape, size or conditions of use prevent a conventional label from being attached. The cover, inside pages and base attached to the immediate packaging must collectively contain all label elements. The label must remain securely attached during foreseeable use and throughout its period of use, withstand repeated opening and refolding, and avoid detaching or hanging loose.
Combination packaging would require safety labels on both inner and outer packaging. Safety labels should be affixed, tied or printed on both inner and outer packaging. For kits, each inner container would need its own safety label. Clause 6.1.3 sets out three arrangements for outer packaging:
Standard arrangement: display the kit name, supplier identification, emergency number and SDS reference prompt, together with a label for each chemical. The individual chemical labels may omit these shared supplier, emergency and SDS-reference details, but must retain their other label elements.
Lengthy precautionary statements: these may be grouped by chemical, separately from other label elements, on the same outer-packaging surface visible during normal use. Storage precautions need appear only once.
Insufficient outer-packaging space: an overall kit label may be used. It must include at least the kit name, signal word, pictograms, storage precautionary statements, supplier identification and emergency number, plus a prompt to refer to the enclosed complete safety labels.
How Companies Should Prepare
Companies can begin a targeted review before committing to new label stock:
Reconcile classification, SDS and label data. Check chemical names, mixture composition, hazard statements and precautions against the applicable GB 30000 standards and the proposed label requirements.
Map packaging formats. Record container capacities and identify simplified labels, fold-out labels, combination packaging and kits. Check that outer packaging can accommodate the required information.
Confirm supply-chain responsibilities. Verify supplier details and the 24-hour emergency consultation service. Under clause 6.3.2 of the draft, manufacturers would have to apply labels before chemicals leave the factory and importers before customs entry. Agree who prepares, approves and applies each label.
Plan the changeover around the final standard. Assess label templates, printing materials and existing stock. Continue meeting current applicable requirements and confirm the final publication date, implementation date and transition arrangements before scheduling the switch.
Consultation Deadline and Next Steps
According to the MIIT consultation notice reproduced by Foodmate, comments are due by September 18, 2026. Feedback forms can be emailed to kjbz@miit.gov.cn, using the subject line "强制性国家标准报批稿公示反馈". The consultation telephone numbers are +86 10 6410 2958 and +86 10 6820 5261.
Further approval and publication steps remain. Businesses should monitor the final text, particularly the implementation date and whether the recommended 12-month transition is adopted.
How REACH24H Can Help
The explanatory notes accompanying the draft identify Hangzhou REACH24H as a participant in the standard's revision, with contributions to validation of the standard's content and technical discussions.
REACH24H supports companies with Chinese SDS and GHS label preparation and regulatory guidance. For businesses assessing this revision, the practical priorities are accurate classification information, consistency between SDSs and labels, and label content suited to each packaging format.
Explore our China GHS classification, SDS and label services, or contact REACH24H to discuss your products, existing SDSs and packaging specifications.
Prepare for the Proposed GB 15258 Changes
Review your Chinese SDSs, label content and packaging formats against the draft requirements before planning any label changeover.
Recommended Reading
Guide to China GHS: Classification, SDSs and Labels for Chemical Safety
China's Draft Law on Safety of Hazardous Chemicals: Compliance Alert
