Companies that manufacture, import or supply chemical products in China must ensure that their Safety Data Sheets (SDS) meet the requirements established by national legislation on chemical management and hazard communication.

Although China bases its classification and labelling system on the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), Chinese regulations include specific requirements concerning the format, content and supply of Safety Data Sheets. An SDS prepared for another market therefore cannot automatically be used without first checking that it complies with Chinese legislation.

This guide covers the main requirements for preparing and maintaining compliant Safety Data Sheets in China, including applicable regulations, competent authorities, obligations for manufacturers and importers, and the main differences from other markets.

Summary

Which regulations govern Safety Data Sheets in China?

Safety Data Sheets in China are governed by a set of legal provisions and technical standards intended to ensure that hazards associated with chemical products are communicated and workers’ health is protected.

Unlike some other markets, in China SDS-related obligations are spread across different standards, each with a specific purpose.

Regulations on the Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals (Decree No. 591)

The Regulations on the Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals (Decree No. 591) constitute the main regulatory framework for managing hazardous chemicals in China.

These regulations set out general obligations for the marketing, storage and supply of hazardous chemicals, including the obligation to provide adequate information about their risks.

GB/T 16483

The standard GB/T 16483 – Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products – Content and Order of Sections sets out the structure and content that Safety Data Sheets in China must follow.

As in other markets based on the GHS, SDS are organised into 16 sections, although specific requirements must be observed to ensure compliance with Chinese regulations.

GB/T 17519

The standard GB/T 17519 provides guidance on preparing Safety Data Sheets.

Its aim is to support consistent application of the requirements established by Chinese regulations and promote accurate communication of chemical hazards.

GB 30000 series

The standards in the GB 30000 series adapt the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to the Chinese regulatory framework.

These standards establish the classification criteria for hazardous substances and mixtures that form the basis for preparing Safety Data Sheets and the corresponding labels.

Competent authorities

The regulation of Safety Data Sheets in China involves several government bodies.

Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM)

The Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) is the main authority responsible for hazardous chemical management and for implementing regulations relating to Safety Data Sheets.

Its functions include:

• developing applicable regulations
• overseeing compliance with legislation on hazardous chemicals
• publishing guidance and regulatory updates
• coordinating national chemical risk management policies

How are the GHS and Chinese regulations related?

China adopts the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) as the basis for classifying chemical substances and communicating their hazards.

However, the GHS is implemented through the national standards GB 30000, so companies must check that their products have been classified according to the criteria currently in force in China.

Consequently, an SDS prepared for the European Union, Japan or South Korea should be reviewed before use in China to ensure that it meets both the technical requirements and the obligations established by Chinese legislation.

When is a Safety Data Sheet mandatory in China?

In China, manufacturers, importers and suppliers must provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) when placing substances or mixtures subject to national chemicals legislation on the market.

The purpose of the SDS is to communicate the hazards associated with the product and provide the information needed to ensure its safe handling, storage, transport and disposal.

Who must provide the SDS?

Responsibility for preparing and supplying an SDS primarily lies with:

• manufacturers
• importers
• distributors and suppliers of hazardous chemicals

These companies must ensure that the SDS meets the requirements established by Chinese regulations and that the information supplied is accurate, complete and up to date.

Which products require an SDS?

As a general rule, an SDS is mandatory for substances and mixtures classified as hazardous under Chinese regulations.

This may include, among others:

• hazardous chemicals
• hazardous mixtures
• products intended for industrial or professional use
• chemical products within the scope of legislation on hazardous substances

Before placing a product on the Chinese market, companies should check whether it is subject to these obligations.

Exceptions

The regulations may provide for certain exemptions or specific requirements for some products or sectors.

Companies are therefore advised to assess each case individually and check the applicable legislation before introducing a product to the Chinese market.

Specific requirements for Safety Data Sheets in China

Safety Data Sheets intended for the Chinese market must meet both the requirements of national legislation and the applicable technical standards.

Language

SDS must be written in Simplified Chinese.

An SDS prepared only in English or another language will generally not meet the requirements for the Chinese market.

Format

SDS must follow the 16-section structure set out in GB/T 16483, based on the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

Among other things, they must include information on:

• product and supplier identification
• hazard identification
• composition/information on ingredients
• first-aid measures
• firefighting measures
• accidental release measures
• handling and storage
• exposure controls and personal protection
• physical and chemical properties
• stability and reactivity
• toxicological information
• ecological information
• disposal considerations
• transport information
• regulatory information
• other relevant information

Classification under Chinese regulations

Substances and mixtures must be classified in accordance with the standards in the GB 30000 series, which adapts the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to the Chinese regulatory framework.

Although many classifications may match those used in other markets, companies must verify that the classification applied meets the criteria currently in force in China.

Supplier information

The SDS must clearly identify the manufacturer, importer or supplier responsible for supplying the product.

It should generally include:

• company name
• address
• contact details
• emergency telephone number, where applicable

Information on hazardous ingredients

The product composition must be disclosed in accordance with the criteria established by applicable legislation and technical standards.

Companies must also ensure that the information in the SDS is consistent with the product classification and the corresponding label.

SDS updates

Safety Data Sheets must be kept up to date when:

• the substance or mixture classification changes
• new information about its hazards becomes available
• the applicable technical standards or legislation are amended
• any other circumstance may affect product safety

Companies should establish internal procedures to identify these changes and ensure that the current SDS version is always distributed. For organisations managing a large number of products, using Safety Data Sheet software can make it easier to update documentation and reduce the risk of errors.

SDS availability

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers must ensure that Safety Data Sheets are available to professional users whenever required.

The documentation must provide access to the information needed to protect workers’ health and ensure that chemical products are handled safely.

Differences between an EU SDS and a Chinese SDS

Although both the European Union and China base their hazard classification and communication systems on the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), each jurisdiction implements the GHS through its own legislation and sets specific requirements for Safety Data Sheets.

For this reason, an SDS prepared in accordance with the REACH Regulation, the CLP Regulation and Regulation (EU) 2020/878 cannot automatically be used in China without first checking that it meets the requirements established by Chinese regulations.

Comparison of an EU SDS and a Chinese SDS

Can an EU SDS be used in China?

No.

Although the overall SDS structure is similar, the documentation must be adapted to the specific requirements established by Chinese legislation.

In practice, this means reviewing aspects such as:

• classification under the GB 30000
• the language of the documentation
• applicable regulatory information
• manufacturer, importer or supplier details
• the information required by standards GB/T 16483 and GB/T 17519

Companies marketing products in different markets often maintain market-specific versions of the same SDS to ensure compliance with each jurisdiction’s requirements.

If you also market chemicals in Japan, see our guide to Safety Data Sheets in Japan, where we discuss the requirements under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA).

Similarly, if you export to South Korea, see our guide to Safety Data Sheets in South Korea, where we explain the obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the particular features of the South Korean system.

Recent regulatory changes

China continues to update its regulatory framework for chemicals to align it with the latest revisions to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and strengthen hazard communication.

Some of the most significant recent changes include:

• periodic updates to the GB 30000 series of standards to incorporate new GHS revisions
• a review of the criteria for classifying and labelling hazardous substances and mixtures
• the gradual revision of technical standards used to prepare Safety Data Sheets

Companies must therefore periodically review product classifications and ensure that their SDS reflect the current version of Chinese regulations.

Common mistakes when adapting an SDS for China

Although China adopts the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), national regulations include specific requirements that often lead to errors when adapting an SDS.

Using an EU SDS without adapting it

An SDS prepared for the European Union cannot be used directly in China.

Before supplying a product, companies must check that the documentation meets the requirements of Chinese legislation and technical standards.

Failing to use classification under the GB 30000 standards

Products must be classified according to the criteria established by Chinese regulations.

Assuming that a classification used in another market is automatically valid may lead to regulatory non-compliance.

Preparing the SDS only in English

Safety Data Sheets for the Chinese market must be available in Simplified Chinese.

An English-only version will generally not be sufficient to meet regulatory requirements.

Failing to review regulatory updates

Technical standards and classification criteria evolve over time.

Failing to review SDS periodically may result in documentation that no longer complies with current legislation.

Manually managing different versions of the same SDS

Companies marketing products in several markets often maintain different versions of the same SDS.

Managing this documentation manually increases the risk of inconsistencies, makes it harder to incorporate regulatory changes and adds to the administrative burden.

Checklist: Does your SDS meet China’s requirements?

Before marketing a chemical product in China, it is advisable to check that the SDS meets the main regulatory requirements:

How to keep SDS compliant in China

Keeping Safety Data Sheets compliant with Chinese regulations requires ongoing monitoring of product classifications, developments in technical standards and applicable regulatory changes.

Companies marketing products in different markets must manage different versions of the same SDS and ensure that each one meets the specific requirements of the relevant jurisdiction.

Having an effective Safety Data Sheet management process helps keep documentation up to date, reduce the risk of errors and simplify regulatory compliance.

If your company also exports to Japan, see our guide to Safety Data Sheets in Japan. Likewise, if you market products in South Korea, see our dedicated guide to learn about the regulatory differences applicable in that market.

Frequently asked questions about Safety Data Sheets in China

Conclusion

Safety Data Sheets play an essential role in hazard communication and compliance with chemicals legislation in China.

Although China’s system is based on the GHS, it includes specific requirements relating to substance classification, SDS format and the technical standards governing their preparation. Companies marketing chemical products in this market must therefore ensure that their SDS are properly adapted to national legislation.

Keeping documentation up to date and aligned with regulatory developments helps reduce risks, support compliance and ensure effective hazard communication throughout the supply chain.

How can ExESS help?

Managing Safety Data Sheets for China can be complex, particularly when a company markets products in different countries and must maintain versions adapted to each market’s regulatory requirements.

ExESS helps centralise product regulatory information and automate the generation and maintenance of Safety Data Sheets compliant with Chinese regulations and those of other international markets. This makes document management easier, reduces manual work and simplifies regulatory compliance throughout the product life cycle.