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The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals or GHS refers to a global harmonized system for hazard definition, classification and communication for chemicals. GHS covers all hazardous chemical substances or mixtures and classifies them according to their physical, health and environmental hazards. Following classification, the hazards can be communicated through labeling and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
It is the decision of each country whether or not to implement GHS and to include it within their regulatory framework. China has agreed to implement GHS and issued 26 GHS standards in 2006. In addition, 4 main standards were published in 2008 relating to the GHS implementation in China. The 26 standards entered into force on Jan 1 2008 and are based on GHS, however, some differences exist between GHS and China GHS. In this article, the national standards of key signiificance incorporated in China GHS are introduced in a systematic way.
Compulsory Standards
China GHS Classification Standard
‘General rules for classification and hazard communication of chemicals’ – GB 13690-2009
Published on 21 June 2009; Entered into force on 1 May 2010
Major updates from the previous standard (GB 13690-1992) are as follows:
Change of the standard title to "General rules for classification and hazard communication of chemicals"
Classification has been revised to classify chemical hazards in accordance with the requirements of GHS;
Chemical hazard communication rules are revised to be in accordance with the requirements of GHS.
China GHS Labeling Standard
‘General rules for preparation of precautionary labeling for chemicals’ – GB 15258-2009
Product labels must be fully compliant with this standard. Major updates from the prior standard (GB 15258-1999) are as follows:
Content of labels in Article 4.2 have been modified;
"Label dimensions' have been added to Article 5.
'Simplified labels" have been added to Article 4.3
Appendices A, B, C have been modified to include examples of precautionary labels, and examples of placement for precautionary labels, transport symbols, and precautionary statements for different categories of chemicals.
China GHS Packaging Standard
‘Packaging symbols for dangerous goods ' – GB 190-2009
This standard details the classification logo, size, color, methods of use etc. of the packaging label of dangerous goods. It aims to implement the 15th revised edition of the UN recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
China GHS 26 National Standards
China GHS 26 standards form the basis of all the national standards in China GHS. These 26 National standards could be classified into three categories: physical hazard, health hazard and environmental hazard. Currently, there are no Aspiration Hazards or Ozone Depletion hazards included in the standards. Some differences also exist in hazard categories and criteria between China GHS and UN GHS.
National Standards | Standard Title |
Physical Hazards | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals - Explosives | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Flammable gases | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Flammable aerosols | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Oxidizing Gases | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Gases under pressure | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Flammable liquids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Flammable solids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Self-reactive substances | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Self-heating substances | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Pyrophoric liquids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Pyrophoric solids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Substances which, when in contact with water, emit flammable gases | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Corrosive to metals | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Oxidizing liquids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Oxidizing solids | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Organic peroxides | |
Health Hazards | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Acute toxicity | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Skin corrosion/irritation | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Serious eye damage/eye irritation | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Respiratory or skin sensitization | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Germ cell mutagenicity | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals - Carcinogenicity | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Reproductive toxicity | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Specific target organ system toxicity- Single exposure | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals - Specific target organ system toxicity- Repeated exposure | |
Environmental Hazards | |
Safety rules for classification, precautionary labelling and precautionary statements of chemicals – Hazardous to the aquatic environment | |
Among all the national standards relating to the implementation of GHS in China, there are compulsory standards ("GB XXX") as well as recommended standard ("GB/T XXX").
Recommended Standard
China GHS MSDS Standard
‘Safety data sheet for chemical products – Content and order of sections’ – GB/T 16483-2008 (Published on 19 June 2008; Entered into force on 2 February 2009)
Major updates from the two previous standards (GB/T 17519.1-1998 and GB 16483-2000) are as follows:
Revision of the order of the 16 sections of SDS information
Definition of a 'substance' has been added;
In Appendix A, part A3.2, the summary of ‘DANGER’ has been revised to be consistent with the classification of GHS.
