China Released Full Text of GB 6944-2025 "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods"

On March 28, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China released the "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods" (GB 6944-2025), which will be implemented from October 1, 2025, and will then fully replace the "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods" (GB 6944-2012). The full text of the "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods" (GB 6944-2025) has now been released (see the attachment), and its main contents, major technical changes, and reference technical documents are as follows.

Main Contents

GB 6944-2025 specifies the general requirements for the classification of dangerous goods, the classification of dangerous goods, and the numbering of dangerous goods names. It applies to the transport of dangerous goods and related activities but does not apply to the bulk transport of dangerous goods by waterway.

Major Technical Changes

Compared to GB 6944-2012, in addition to structural adjustments and editorial revisions, the major technical changes are as follows:

1. The scope of application of this document has been revised (see Chapter 1, compared to Chapter 1 of the 2012 edition);
2. The definitions of dangerous goods and UN numbers have been revised (see 3.1.1 and 3.1.2, compared to 3.1 and 3.2 of the 2012 edition);
3. Abbreviations and symbols have been added (see 3.2 and 3.3);
4. The expression and content of the categories and divisions of dangerous goods, and the packaging categories of dangerous goods have been revised (see 4.1.1 and 4.1.2, compared to 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 of the 2012 edition);
5. Requirements for the classification of dangerous goods, requirements for the transport classification of samples, and requirements for the classification of articles containing dangerous goods not otherwise specified have been added (see 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5);
6. The determination of the order of precedence of dangers has been revised to: "When a substance, mixture, or solution has more than one danger and its name is not included in the list of dangerous goods names, or when assigning an appropriate entry (UN3537 to UN3548) for articles containing dangerous goods not otherwise specified, the order of precedence of dangers shall be determined in accordance with Table 1" (see 4.3.1, compared to 5.1 of the 2012 edition);
7. Definitions of pyrotechnic substances, desensitized explosives, or pyrotechnic effects in Division 1.1 explosives have been added (see 5.1.1);
8. Item d) in the possible combinations of dangerous divisions related to each stowage group has been deleted [see 4.2.3.2d) of the 2012 edition];
9. For Division 2 gases, definitions of adsorbed gases and pressurized chemicals have been added, as well as explanations of asphyxiation gases and oxidizing gases in Division 2.2 non-flammable non-toxic gases. The conditions under which Division 2.2 gases are not transported as dangerous goods and the principles for determining the dangerous divisions of gas mixtures have also been added (see 5.2.1, 5.2.2, and 5.2.3);
10. The definition of Division 3 flammable liquids and the conditions under which viscous liquids are not transported as dangerous goods have been revised [see 5.3.1.1a) and 5.3.2.5, compared to 4.4.1.1, 4.4.3.3, and 4.4.3.4 of the 2012 edition];
11. A table corresponding to viscosity and flash point for the division of packaging categories of Division 3 flammable liquids, and methods for determining flash point and initial boiling point have been added (see 5.3.2);
12. For Division 4 flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water, definitions of polymeric substances have been added. Requirements for classifying mixtures meeting the standards of polymeric substances as Division 4.1 polymeric substances, seven types of self-reactive substances and classification principles, and the conditions under which samples of self-reactive substances or self-reactive substance formulations not listed in the "List of Dangerous Goods" are classified as Type C self-reactive substances have also been added (see 5.4.1.1);
13. The definition of self-heating substances has been revised, and the basis and regulations for determining the packaging categories of flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water have been changed [see 5.4.1.2 and 5.4.2.1, compared to 4.5.2.2b) and 4.5.3 of the 2012 edition];
14. The definition of organic peroxides in Division 5 oxidizing substances and organic peroxides has been revised. The principles, procedures, test methods, requirements, and the style of test reports for classifying self-reactive substances, as well as the principles for determining the packaging categories of oxidizing solids, have also been changed (see 5.5.1.2 and 5.5.2.1, compared to 4.6.2.2 and 4.6.3.1 of the 2012 edition);
15. Conditions for samples of organic peroxides or organic peroxide formulations not listed in the "List of Dangerous Goods " to be classified as Type C organic peroxides have been added (see 5.5.1.2);
16. A definition of pathogens in Division 6 toxic substances and infectious substances has been added (see 5.6.1.2.1);
17. Principles for dividing Division 6.2 infectious substances have been added (see 5.6.3);
18. The designation of Division 7 dangerous goods has been revised to "Radioactive Materials" (see 5.7, compared to 4.8 of the 2012 edition);
19. The definition of Division 8 corrosive substances and the expression of the principles for dividing the packaging categories of Division 8 dangerous goods have been revised (see 5.8.1 to 5.8.2, compared to 4.9.1 to 4.9.2 of the 2012 edition);
20. The three packaging categories for Division 8 corrosive substances have been deleted (see 4.9.2 of the 2012 edition);
21. Conditions for Division 8 corrosive substances as primary hazards in substances or mixtures have been added (see 5.8.2.4);
22. Sodium-ion batteries, capacitors, and ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers have been added to Division 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles (see 5.9.1);
23. Principles for classifying mixtures in Division 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles, and principles for determining the hazards of lithium batteries and sodium-ion batteries have been added (see 5.9.3 to 5.9.5).

Reference Technical Documents

GB 6944-2025 is technically consistent with the relevant content of the United Nations "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods" (23rd revised edition).

Attachments

1. "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods" (GB 6944-2025)
2. "Classification and Code of Dangerous Goods" (GB 6944-2012)