China Releases GB 18218-2018 to Adjust Regulation concerning Major Hazard Installations for Hazardous Chemicals

On November 19, Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation and Standardization Administration announced the release of the revised Identification of Major Hazard Installations for Hazardous Chemicals (GB 18218-2018). It will come into mandatory effect on March 1, 2019.

Compared to the previous version GB 18218-2009, the key changes to GB 18218-2018 are presented as follows:

Scope of the standard: It is specified in GB 18218-2018 that the standard does not apply to offsite transport of hazardous chemicals.

Definition of “hazardous chemicals” and “major hazard installations”: In line with Regulations on the Control over Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (State Council Decree No. 591), hazardous chemicals in GB 18218-2018 refer to highly toxic chemicals and other chemicals which are toxic, corrosive, explosive, flammable or combustion-supporting and can do harm to the human body, facilities and the environment. The new document defines major hazard installations for hazardous chemicals as units which engage in long-term or temporary production, storage, use or operations of hazardous chemicals and where the quantity of hazardous chemicals is equal or greater than the threshold quantity.

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