News Details

On August 26, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor amended the Regulations for the Labeling and Hazard Communication of Hazardous Chemicals, updating hazardous chemical classifications, labelling requirements, Safety Data Sheet requirements, and related compliance provisions. The amendments also introduce changes concerning the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers and suppliers, as well as the use of SDS confidentiality provisions.

Key Amendments

Updates to GHS Hazard Classifications

The amendment updates the hazardous chemical classification and labeling framework to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Purple Book, eighth revised edition.

Key changes include:

• Adding desensitized explosives as a hazard classification.
• Subdividing flammable gases Category 1 into Categories 1A and 1B.
• Revising the classification of aerosols.
• Introducing classification requirements for chemicals under pressure.
• Removing Acute Toxicity Category 5, Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 3 and Aspiration Hazard Category 2.
• Updating the related hazard classification and labeling information in Annex 1 of Article 5 and Annex 3 of Article 12.

Changes to SDS Disclosure Thresholds

The revised Annex 3 of Article 12 lowers the concentration threshold for respiratory or skin sensitizers from 1.0% to 0.1% and introduces a threshold of 1.0% for substances classified as Aspiration Hazard Category 1. Where a hazardous component reaches the applicable threshold, it must be disclosed in the SDS.

Changes to Safety Data Sheet Requirements

Annex 4 of Article 12 has also been revised to update the information requirements for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in line with the GHS Rev. 8. The updated SDS requirements include the removal of certain fields and the addition of information on kinematic viscosity, particle characteristics and the transport of goods in bulk. These changes are intended to ensure that the hazard information provided by chemical suppliers reflects the revised classification system.

New Requirements for Incorrect SDS Information

The amendment strengthens the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and suppliers for the accuracy of SDS information.

• Where an SDS contains incorrect information, the competent authority or labour inspection authority may require the source supplier to make corrections within a specified timeframe.
• Suppliers that fail to make the required corrections within the prescribed timeframe may be subject to penalties.

Restrictions on SDS Confidentiality Claims

The amendment expands the restrictions on confidential business information in SDSs.

• Components classified as Aspiration Hazard Category 1 cannot be covered by an application to withhold information from an SDS.
• This limits the use of confidentiality provisions where disclosure of the relevant hazard information is required.

Changes to Transport Hazard Labels

The amendment removes the previous requirement for trained personnel to verify labels and SDSs before hazardous chemicals delivered by vehicle are unloaded, handled, disposed of or used in the workplace.

This change reflects the harmonization of the United Nations transport of dangerous goods classification and labelling system with the GHS labelling framework.

Scope of Exemptions

The amendment also clarifies the terminology used for products that are outside the scope of the regulation.

In particular:

• The previous reference to drugs has been replaced by separate references to pharmaceutical products and medical devices, reflecting their regulation under pharmaceutical legislation rather than this regulation.
• General consumer products intended for non-industrial use remain excluded when they are used under normal consumer conditions.
• Products such as alcohol used for industrial cleaning, disinfection, equipment or manufacturing processes do not qualify for the consumer product exclusion and remain subject to the hazardous chemical labelling and communication requirements.

Implementation Timeline

Most of the amended provisions took effect upon publication on August 26, 2026. This includes the revised concentration thresholds in Appendix 3, the SDS correction mechanism and the expanded restriction on confidentiality claims.

However, the revised Annex 1 of Article 5 and Annex 4 of Article 12 will take effect on January 1, 2029. Companies therefore have a transition period to review affected chemical classifications, labels and SDSs and make the necessary updates.

Compliance Implications

Companies manufacturing, importing, supplying or using hazardous chemicals in Taiwan should:

• Review whether affected substances or mixtures fall under the newly revised hazard classifications.
• Check existing labels and SDSs against the revised requirements.
• Review products containing Aspiration Hazard Category 1 substances where SDS confidentiality has been claimed.
• Confirm that SDS information supplied by upstream manufacturers is accurate and can be corrected when required.
• Prepare for the provisions scheduled to become mandatory on January 1, 2029.