Industrial Chemical

China Plans on New GHS Standards by 2014

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One GB standard, which concerns the safety rules of classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements for chemical substances harmful to the ozone layer, is scheduled for the first time drafting. Back to 2006, when China adopted the second revision of the “Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals”(GHS) (ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.2), it followed only 26 hazard categories and failed since then to include two later norms for “aspiration hazard” and “hazard to the ozone layer”. In consequence, the decision to complement China’s current insufficient classification with one additional hazard is made with a view to enhance the implementation of GHS in China to a broader extent. For another GB, it is the second revision to the Chinese “General rule for classification and hazard communication of chemicals (GB 13690)” since its 2009 edition replaced GB 13690-1992. GB 13690 provides general but mandatory directions for GHS classification in China. Companies are also advised to refer to the specific 26 GB rules (GB 20576 - GB 20599 and GB 20601 - GB 20602) for detailed hazard categories, precautionary labelling or precautionary statements of chemicals. Now the upcoming latest version is going to adopt the fourth revision of UN GHS (ST/ST/AC.10/30/Rev. 4). Also important and new to the chemical industry include one recommended GB/T guidance addressing consumers risk assessment based on GHS chemical labels, one general rules for the chemical risk assessment, one norm on warning marks for chemical workplaces as well as 16 important GB/T standards on chemical exposure tests. All of them are to be compiled as the first draft and most have adopted internationally accepted standards like OECD guidelines and UN GHS Rev. 4.

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