On 12 March 2024, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) released a new standard GB 4806.15-2024 for adhesives in materials used for food preparation and storage. This new standard introduces controls on food contact materials (FCMs) including composite materials and pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Categorization of Adhesive

The standard divides adhesives into two categories: direct and indirect food contact applications. Direct food contact applications which have a higher migration risk will be more strictly regulated. For indirect food contact applications which have lower migration risks, the requirements will be less stringent.

Requirements and Implementation

The new standard also includes a list of substances that can be used for direct and indirect food contact and the requirements for their use in the annexes. According to the annexes, 51 raw materials are approved for direct food contacts and 341 substances are permitted for indirect food contact materials. Materials approved for direct contact applications are also approved for indirect contact materials.

Adhesive products must indicate on the label which category they fall into. Additionally, additives used in adhesives must meet the requirements of standards GB 4806.1-2016, GB 9685-2019, and any further announcements.

Implementation Date and Contact Information

The new standard will come into force on 8 February 2025. For further information, please contact Global Product Compliance (GPC) at compliance@gpcregulatory.cn or zhengmin@cn.gpcregulatory.com.

On 12^th March 2024, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) published a notification soliciting public comments on the draft standard of GB 30000.1: Rules for classification and labelling of chemicals—Part 1 General specifications. According to the notification, once the new standard is approved, it will be effective 12 months after the publication and the previous standards GB 13690-2009 will be appealed. 

Basis for technical requirements in GB 30000.1 

The technical content of this standard is mainly derived from the GHS system. This standard specifies the terms and definitions involved in the classification and labeling of chemicals, categories of hazardous properties of chemicals, classification standards for substances and mixtures, guidance on the preparation of chemical safety labels, and guidance on the preparation of chemical safety data sheets (SDS). regulations etc.

The main content of this standard consists of the following parts: 

1. Terms and definitions 
2. Chemical hazard classification
3. Label 
4. Chemical Safety Data Sheet

Main changes to GB 13690-2009

Firstly, the name of this standard is changed to Rules for classification and labelling of chemicals—Part 1:General specifications. 

Secondly, it added "United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (Eighth Revised Edition)" and "United Nations Model Regulations on the Recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Twenty-second Revised Edition)" as cited documents, deleted Referenced documents "GB/T 22272~ GB/T 22278". 

Thirdly, it adjusted the regulations on chemical hazard classification: 4.1.1 Hazard Category a) Added desensitizing explosives to physical hazards. 

Fourthly, it deleted sample sheets in the appendix: 

1. Deleted Informative Appendix A "Examples of Precautionary Statements", while added Informative Appendix A "Definitions and Abbreviations Specified in GHS". 
2. Deleted Informative Appendix B "Pictograms of Protective Measures". 
3. Deleted Informative Appendix C "Sample GHS Label"; 
4. Deleted informative Appendix D "Minimum Information on Safety Data Sheets". 

For more information regarding China GHS and China REACH related inquires, please contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.cn or zhengmin@cn.gpcregulatory.com.