October 8, 2002, the formal State Economic Trade Commission (SETC) published the “Measures for the Administration of Hazardous Chemicals Operation Permit” in order to strengthen administration and supervision of the sale of hazardous chemical products. The Measures, coded as SETC Order 36 of 2002, were formulated based on the Work Safety Law of P.R.C and the 2002 Regulations of the Safety Control over Dangerous Chemicals (State Council Decree 344). The Measures took effect on 15 November 2002 and was replaced by its 2012 revised edition (see SAWS Order 55) as of September 1st 2012.
 
The Measures have specified the applicable scope, listed content, application conditions, submission materials, legal liabilities and other provisions related to hazardous chemicals operation permit (in short as “HC Operation Permit”).
 
All enterprises engaged in the sale and operation of hazardous chemicals in China shall be considered subject to this legislation, but exclusive for the sales of civil explosives, radioactive materials, nuclear materials and town gas. In addition, producers which sell their own hazardous chemical products don’t need to apply for a HC Operation Permit if they have obtained the Hazardous Chemicals Safe Production Permit; but if the sold products are not self-produced or the hazardous chemical products are sold through an offsite distribution outlet, they still need to apply for the HC Operation Permit.

On July 17, 2012, SAWS enacted the revised edition of the 2002 Measures and the 2012 version has taken effect as of the first of September (see SAWS Order 55).