Revisions to the Draft for Comments on "Regulations on the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels"

一、Background and significance of the revision

"Chemical Safety Label Preparation Regulations" (GB 15258) is one of the important standards in my country's chemical safety management system. It was first released in 1994 and revised in 1999 and 2009. This revision (Draft for Comment) is based on the 10th revised edition of the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), and is a comprehensive update of the 2009 version of the standard based on my country's actual management needs and technological development trends.

The revision of the new standard aims to further improve the information accuracy, readability and practicality of chemical safety labels, strengthen the efficiency of information transmission in the supply chain, and ensure the safety of employees and the public.

二、Comparison of major technical changes

1. Added "Hazardous Chemicals Safety Information Code"

• Old version (2009): No QR codes or digital tags involved.
• New version: Added "hazardous chemicals safety information code", requiring hazardous chemicals circulating in the country to provide this code or a QR code that incorporates this code before entering the market. This move draws on the pilot experience of Guangdong Province and aims to solve the problems of inconsistent and missing information in the transmission process of "one book, one signature".

2. Adjust the expression and sorting rules of "warning words"

• Old version: Used the term "signal word".
• New version: changed to "warning words", consistent with GB/T 16483-2008, and more in line with Chinese expression habits. At the same time, it is clear: if "danger" is used, "warning" will no longer be used.

3. Improve hazard descriptions and pictogram rankings

• The new version clarifies the order of pictograms, warning words, hazard statements and precautionary statements, and adds "desensitized explosives" in the pictograms as the main hazard category.
• Added hazard description merging rules to avoid duplication of information and improve label simplicity.

4. New regulations on small packaging and folding labels

• Old version: Only rough provisions for simplified labeling.
• New version:

          1）Simplified labels can be used for small packages ≤100mL;

          2）Ultra-small packaging of ≤5mL can be further simplified, with only chemical identification retained;

          3）A new "folded label" structure (cover, text page, bottom page) is added, which is suitable for packaging that cannot be directly labeled.

5. Added new kit packaging label requirements

• The new version clarifies the requirements for outer packaging labels for kits (containing multiple chemicals), including general settings and simplified styles under special circumstances to ensure that the information is complete and readable.

6. Printing and usage requirements are more specific

• Added printing quality requirements for hazardous chemicals safety information codes (not lower than level 2.0 of GB/T 23704-2017).
• Clarify the attachment requirements for foldable labels to ensure that they do not fall off during use and can be unfolded repeatedly.

三、Integration with international standards

The new version of the standard fully absorbs the content of the 10th revised edition of GHS and keeps pace with the international standards in terms of label elements, use of pictograms, and warning words. At the same time, the latest developments in US HCS standards and EU CLP regulations are referred to, such as the application of digital labels and small packaging exemption provisions.

四、Conclusion

The "Regulations on the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels" (Draft for Comments), on the basis of inheriting the 2009 version of the framework, has significantly improved the scientific nature, practicality and international consistency of the standard. The newly added regulations such as digital labels, folding labels, and kit labels reflect the forward-looking and adaptability of the standard and will provide stronger technical support for my country's chemical safety management.