China CIQ has initiated strict insepctions on the import of hazardous chemicals since 01 Feb 2012

8 Feb 2012, China's entry-exit inspection and quarantine administrations (CIQ) has started compulsory inspections on over 160 hazardous chemicals substances exported to China and their packages from 1st Feb 2012.


Under the State Decree 591- Regulations on Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals in China, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) or CIQ is responsible for performing inspections on imported & exported hazardous chemicals and their packages.


On 29 Dec 2011, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and General Administration of Customs (GACC) jointly issued the 2012's Catalog of Entry & Exit Goods Subject to China's Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Administrations (hereinafter referred to as the Legal Inspection Catalog). One of the biggest changes is that one hundred and sixty (160) hazardous chemicals listed in the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals (2002) have been added to the Legal Inspection Catalog. In China, any entry/exit goods listed in the Legal Inspection Catalog shall receive compulsory inspections by China's entry-exit inspection and quarantine administrations (CIQ).


  • The list of hazardous chemicals in the Legal Inspection Catalog download here (English name for each chemical available now).

If you export hazardous chemicals to China

If companies export those hazardous chemicals to China, the Chinese importer must apply for an inspection from the local Inspection and Quarantine authority at the port of entry and provide the following documents.

  • Declaration of conformity
  • Information on inhibitors and stabilizersties (names and quantities)
  • Chinese SDS and sample of hazard communication label;
  • Other documents required for customs declaration)

If the goods fail an inspection (for example, SDSs and labels are not compliant), the goods will then be held or be detained by customs.


The following items will be inspected by CIQ

  • Identify whether the composition/constituent information of goods, physical and chemical properties, hazard class, packaging category meet the requirements of relevant standards, and whether they are consistent with the hazard identification and classification report, SDS and chemical safety label provided when applying for an inspection;
  • Identify whether a Chinese SDS has been provided along with the goods, whether a Chinese label has been affixed on the packaging of goods; whether the contents in SDS and label meet the requirements of relevant standards and are consistent with the goods;
  • Identify whether the models, category, specification, unit quantity and mark of packaging meet the standard requirements and whether the packaging has been adapted to the properties and uses of the inspected goods;
  • Identify whether the packing method meets standard requirement and whether the use of packaging is appropriate, whether the packaging is sealed tightly and whether the goods inside the package have leaked.

At the moment, only hazardous chemicals in the Legal Inspection Catalog are affected by the new rules. In the future, all hazardous chemicals listed in the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals will be affected. CIRS suggests that companies prepare Chinese SDSs and labels in compliance with China’s GHS national standards beforehand for all hazardous chemicals to avoid any delay of customs clearance and possible fines.

Relevant information could be found here

http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/zjxw/dfzjxw/dfftpxw/201202/t20120203_207861.htm

Contact

  • Mr. Yunbo Shi, Europe Office
    Unit 1 Ardee Business Park, Hale Street, Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland
    Tel : +353 41 9806 916 | Fax : +353 41 9806 999
    Email: yunbo.shi@cirs-reach.com
  • Mr. Eric Xiong, China Office
    11F Building 1, Dongguan Hi-Tech Park, 1288 Chunbo Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310052, China
    Tel: +86-571 8720 6555 | Fax: +86-571 8720 6533
    Email: eric.xiong@cirs-reach.com