This GB/T standard applies to GHS based chemical labelling. It is the Chinese translation of Japanese JIS Z 7251:2006, Labelling of chemicals based on GHS. The standard specifies criteria of UN GHS-based chemical labelling. It lays down general descriptions of label elements typical of the pictogram, the signal word and the hazard statements. GB/T 22234-2008 was published as a national recommended standard for industry reference to understand UN GHS label elements such as signal word and hazard statements; whilst companies should notice in China the only mandatory criteria to identify the precautionary label of chemicals is GB 15258-2009.
 
The standard specifies necessary information contained in a GHS based chemical label; it also give guidance on the sequence of the label elements. Key information of a chemical label includes:

• a) a pictogram that suggests hazard class

• b) a signal word

• c) hazard statements

• d) precautionary statements

• e) product identification

• f) producer/supplier’s information

 The standard is attached with a normative appendix A. Appendix A lists detailed descriptions of the corresponding pictogram, signal word and hazard statements aligned with each GHS based hazard class, hazard category (and divisions). The list presents 16 categories of physical hazards (A.1), 10 categories of human health hazards (A.2) and 2 categories of environmental hazards (A.3).

A.1 Physical hazard

• A.1.1 Explosives (hazard category: unstable explosives, division 1.1, division 1.2, division 1.3, division 1.4, division 1.5 and division 1.6)

• A.1.2 Combustible, flammable gases (hazard category: 1, 2)

• A.1.3 Combustible, flammable compressed gases (hazard category: 1,2)

• A.1.4 Oxidizing gases

• A.1.5 Gases under pressure (hazard category: compressed gas, liquefied gas, frozen liquefied gas, dissolved gas)

• A.1.6 Flammable liquids (hazard category: 1, 2, 3, 4)

• A.1.7 Combustible solids (hazard category: 1, 2)

• A.1.8 Self-reactive substances (hazard category: A, B, C and D, E and F, G)

• A.1.9 Pyrophoric liquids (hazard category: 1)

• A.1.10 Pyrophoric solids (hazard category: 1)

• A.1.11 Self-heating substances (hazard category: 1, 2)

• A.1.12 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.1.13 Oxidizing liquids (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.1.14 Oxidizing solid (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.1.15 Organic peroxides (hazard category: A, B, C and D, E and F, G)

• A. 1.16 Corrosive to metals (hazard category: 1)

 A.2  Human health hazard

• A. 2.1 Acute toxicity (hazard category: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• A.2.2 Skin corrosion/irritation (hazard category: 1(A, B, C), 2, 3)

• A.2.3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation (hazard category: 1, 2A, 2B)

• A.2.4 Respiratory sensitization (hazard category: 1) or skin sensitization (hazard category: 1)

• A.2.5 Germ cell mutagenicity (hazard category: 1 (1A, 1B), 2)

• A.2.6 Carcinogenicity (hazard category: 1(1A, 1B), 2)

• A.2.7 Reproductive toxicity (hazard category: 1 (1A, 1B), 2), adverse effects on lactation (hazard category: additional)

• A.2.8 Specific target organ systemic toxicity – single exposure (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.2.9 Specific target organ systemic toxicity – repeated exposure (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.2.10 Aspiration hazard (hazard category: 1, 2)

 A.3 Hazardous to the aquatic environment

• A.3.1 Acute aquatic toxicity (hazard category: 1, 2, 3)

• A.3.2 Chronic aquatic toxicity (hazard category: 1 (1A, 1B), 2, 3, 4

The GB/T 22234-2008 is equivalent to the Japanese standard “JIS Z 7251:2006” (GHS labeling) To provide ease of use, following editorial modifications have been made:

• Deleting the “table of content” and the “ foreword” from the original standard;

• Deleting the “preface”;

• The punctuation “•” from the original standard was replace by the punctuation “、”;

• The punctuation “，” from the original standard was replace by the punctuation “、”;

The technical committee for GB/T 22234-2008 is the National Technical Committee 250 on Dangerous Chemicals Management of Standardization Administration of China. Other drafters including Zhonghua chemical industry institute of standardization, Anhui Entry-Exit Inspection And Quarantine Bureau, Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry.