The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) has reviewed the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law of the People's Republic of China. To encourage public participation in the legislative process, a public consultation on the draft law was launched on December 26, 2024.

The Draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework covering the planning and design of hazardous chemicals, as well as safety in production, storage, use, business operations, and transportation. It also outlines registration requirements for hazardous chemicals, emergency response measures, and legal responsibilities.

Key Provisions of the Draft Law

• Mandatory Training: Employees in hazardous chemical units must undergo education and training and pass an assessment before starting work.

• Lifecycle Management: Hazardous chemicals must be electronically tracked and monitored electronically throughout their lifecycle using identification and information management systems.

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) & Labeling: Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals are required to provide SDS and labels for their products, with penalties for non-compliance.

• Exemptions for R&D and Small-Scale Use: Hazardous chemicals in small low quantities, minimal release, and limited exposure during research, trial production, and market trials are exempt from registration.

• Prohibited Activities: No entity or individual may carry out activities involving chemicals whose hazardous properties have not been determined.

Public Consultation and Feedback

The draft law is available for public review on the NPC official website and the National Database of Laws and Regulations. The public can submit feedback online or by mail to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee at No. 1 Qianmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100805. Submissions should be clearly marked as relating to the “Draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law Consultation.”

The consultation period will last 30 days, offering stakeholders across industries, regulatory bodies, and the general public an opportunity to shape the future of hazardous chemical safety regulation in China.

For official details and to submit feedback, please visit the NPC official website.

On November 28, 2024, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation published GB/T 45091-2024, a national standard outlining restricted substances in recycled plastics. Effective from June 1, 2025, the standard provides guidelines for classification, requirements, and testing to ensure material safety.

Development and Scope

The standard, titled "Plastics – Requirements for Restricted Substances in Recycled Plastics," was developed by the Plastic Recycling Branch of the China Synthetic Resin Association (CPRRA).  The drafting process progressed rapidly from its initiation in April 2024 with a public consultation on the draft completed by August 2024.

The standard covers recycled plastic pellets and finished products made from waste plastics through processes such as screening, sorting, crushing, washing, and extrusion or modification. It also covers recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle flakes. However, it excludes recycled plastics derived from hazardous waste sources such as medical waste, pesticide packaging, and radioactive materials, as well as recycled plastics intended for food contact or pharmaceutical packaging applications.

Key Provisions

The standard defines "restricted substances" as materials that are prohibited or restricted by law, regulation, or standard in recycled plastics . These substances are not necessarily classified as hazardous or harmful chemicals, but are restricted to ensure the safety, environmental sustainability, and performance of recycled plastics.

Restricted substances are divided into two categories:

1. Voluntarily Declared Substances:

   • Manufacturers or importers are required to declare that recycled plastics, whether domestically produced or imported, do not contain certain restricted substances.

2. Regulated Substances with Specific Limits:

   • The standard mandates monitoring and adherence to specific limits for substances classified as restricted under regulatory oversight.

For more details, visit the National Public Service Platform here.