Latest Progress in Hazchem QR Code Application in China

Guangdong province

In June 2021, Guangdong was designated by the MEM as the first province to pilot QR code program.

On July 16, 2021, Guangdong issued the Notice on Promotion of the Hazardous Chemical Registration Comprehensive Service System and "One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code" Management to start the QR code pilot program in the province prior to the issuance of the National Plan.

From October 2021, the QR code has been mandatory on hazardous chemical labels, packaging, containers and vehicles before hazardous chemicals leaving the factory or warehouse in Guangdong.

On January 29, 2022, Guangdong issued its Local Plan, stipulating to fully implement “One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code” management in the province.

Until now, Guangdong's QR code pilot program has delivered promising results. The QR code application is officially implemented within Guangdong.

Shandong province

Following its Local Plan issued on January 25, 2022, Shandong issued the Notice on Promotion of the "One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code" Management to Further Enhance Safety Risk Identification and Control in August 2022 to outline the measures and targets for the Hazchem QR code application in the province.

• By September 30, 2022, enterprises that manufacture/import hazardous chemicals in Shandong shall verify, update or supplement the registration information via the New System in a timely manner.

• By October 30, 2022, enterprises that manufacture/import hazardous chemicals in Shandong shall affix the generated QR code to the packages of the hazardous chemicals or display the QR code on the blank space of the corresponding label.

In addition, Shandong plans to push forward the task of ensuring the consistency of information conveyed through the generated QR code and the e-waybill of the dangerous goods.

Jiangsu province

Following its Local Plan issued on January 28, 2022, Jiangsu issued the Implementation Plan for the Promotion of the Hazardous Chemical Registration Comprehensive Service System in April 2022 to specify requirements for promoting the “One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code” management in the province.

• By August 30, 2022, Hazchem enterprises, who have completed the registration, shall verify, update or supplement the registration information via the New System in a timely manner.

• By December 31, 2022, Hazchem enterprises shall complete the update and verification of the corresponding SDS and label to obtain the QR code generated via the New System.

In addition, Suzhou (a city in Jiangsu province) requires relevant enterprises to complete the information supplementation in the New System and display the generated QR codes on both the outer and inner packages of the corresponding hazardous chemicals by the end of October 2022. Special inspections will also be carried out. Any hazardous chemicals without the certain QR code will be prohibited to be transported or sold in Suzhou.

Beijing city

Following its Local Plan issued on February 17, 2022, Beijing has carried out the promotion of the New System from March to June of 2022. Enterprises are required to complete the Hazchem registration or information supplementation via the New System. The authority will speed up efforts to promote the New System, thereby pushing forward "One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code" management in the city.

Zhejiang province

Zhejiang issued its Local Plan issued on February 17, 2022. It proposed to push forward the task of ensuring the consistency of information conveyed through the Hazchem QR code and the e-waybill of the dangerous goods. ChemLinked learnt from an official from NRCC who wished to remain anonymous that Zhejiang will pilot a program focusing on it. The official document is expected to be issued soon.

Sichuan province

As per Sichuan’s Local Plan issued on January 29, 2022, to provide basic support for the implementation of "One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code" management, the Emergency Management Department in Sichuan shall complete the following tasks by November 30, 2022:

• Promoting the upgrading of the Hazchem registration system; and

• Expanding the scope of chemical & pharmaceutical enterprises subject to Hazchem registration.

Shaanxi province

(In Chinese: 陕西)

On January 25, 2022, together with its Local Plan, Shaanxi released its Special Implementation Plan for the Promotion of the Hazardous Chemical Registration Comprehensive Service System. Below are the relevant requirements:

• By August 31, 2022, registered Hazchem enterprises shall complete the update and verification of the corresponding SDS and label via the New System to obtain QR code.

• By December 31, 2022, the corresponding authorities in Shaanxi shall cooperated with each other to push forward enterprises to affix the generated QR code to the hazardous chemical labels, packaging, containers and vehicle. What’s more, relevant enterprises in Shaanxi will not be allowed to sell, buy, use, transport hazard chemicals without QR code affixed.

Shanxi province

(In Chinese: 山西)

Following its Local Plan, Shanxi released its Special Implementation Plan for the Promotion of the Hazardous Chemical Registration Comprehensive Service System in March of 2022, requiring that :

• By August 20, 2022, registered Hazchem enterprises shall complete the update and verification of the information on the corresponding SDS and label via the New System to generate the corresponding QR code.

Besides, enterprises are suggested to display the generated QR codes on both the outer and inner packages of the corresponding hazardous chemicals.

Gansu province

Following its Local Plan, Gansu released its Implementation Plan for the Promotion of the Hazardous Chemical Registration Comprehensive Service System, requiring that:

• By August 31, 2022, registered Hazchem enterprises shall complete the information supplementation via the New System to update or verify the information on corresponding SDS and label via the New System to generate the corresponding QR code

Besides, enterprises are suggested to display the generated QR codes on both the outer and inner packages of the corresponding hazardous chemicals.

Yunnan province

Yunnan issued its Local Plan on January 22, 2022.

Tianjin issued its Local Plan on January 24, 2022.

Fujian issued its Local Plan on January 29, 2022.

Hebei issued its Local Plan on February 21, 2022.

Shanghai issued its Local Plan on March 17, 2022.

The content of these cities or provinces’ Local Plan is almost the same as the National Plan, stipulating to enhance the digital and intelligent management of hazardous chemicals, including:

• Promoting the upgrading of the Hazchem registration system;

• Expanding the scope of chemical & pharmaceutical enterprises subject to Hazchem registration; and

• Implementing "One enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code" management on each enterprise/Hazchem.

However, there is no specific timeline stated.

Tianjin city

Fujian province

Hebei province

Shanghai city