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The Guangdong province has piloted the new Hazchem registration online platform from July of 2021, which incorporates a QR code system to support immediate access to hazardous chemical information (ChemLinked news).
From October 1, the QR code has been mandatory on hazardous chemical labels, packaging, containers and vehicles in Guangdong. This is a supervision trend for hazardous chemicals in China. According to an insider from China’s National Registration Centre of Chemicals (NRCC), the new Hazchem registration platform as well as the QR code system are expected to be implemented across the whole nation in 2022.
Based on the principle “one enterprise, one chemical product, and one QR code”, the new platform allows manufacturers or importers that obliged to complete Hazchem registration to generate QR code online automatically. For enterprisers that only operate or use hazardous chemicals, or other chemical and pharmaceutical industries, they are only required to report simplified information on the new platform and not able to obtain Hazchem registration certificate, and thus no QR code will be assigned to.
A QR code can be read using Wechat or Alipay. Scanning it gives you quick and easy access to chemical name, CAS number, Hazchem registration number, enterprise name, label elements (signal words, hazard pictograms, hazard statement), first aid measures, emergency response for leakage, and firefighting methods; as well as "SDS and label" download, which are basic information automatically extracted from the Hazchem registration applications. In addition, the new platform allows manufacturers or importers to add more customized information to show through QR code, such as batch No., specifications, alias, etc.
QR code is designed to be stamped on the bottom right (preferred) or other blank space of the label, or next to the label on the packaging if there is no room on the label. The minimum dimension of the QR code is 1cm by 1 cm, and shall not be smaller than the pictogram. For transportation, the QR code also need to be stamped on the outer packaging, containers, vehicles, etc.
It is not obliged for foreign exporters to stamp QR codes when exporting hazardous chemicals to China, but they should support the Chinese importers to obtain the QR codes and ensure they are stamped in compliance before road transport of goods from ports. So far it is not supervised by the Customs, but not sure if there will be tougher supervision when it is implemented in the whole nation, according to an official from the Guangdong Customs. In addition, ChemLinked also got the first hand information from NRCC that the GB 15258-2009 General Rules for Preparation of Precautionary Label for Chemicals will be revised to incorporate QR code requirements.
