GB6944-2025
Classification and code of dangerous goods
危险货物分类和品名编号
GB 6944-2025 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for Classification and code of dangerous goods. It appears in the Chemicals compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Oct 1, 2025.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard specifies the general requirements, classification, and name numbering for dangerous goods. It is applicable to the transportation and related activities of dangerous goods across various modes of transport. However, it does not apply to the waterway bulk transportation of dangerous goods. The standard covers a wide range of products, including explosives, gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizing substances, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosive substances, and miscellaneous dangerous goods such as lithium batteries and sodium-ion batteries.
Technical requirements
GB 6944-2025 establishes a comprehensive classification system, dividing dangerous goods into 9 hazard classes. Some of these classes are further subdivided into divisions; for example, Class 1 (Explosives) has 6 divisions, and Class 2 (Gases) is divided into flammable, non-flammable non-toxic, and toxic gases. The standard details the specific criteria for assigning goods to these classes and divisions based on their primary hazard characteristics. For packaging purposes, dangerous goods are assigned to three packing groups (I, II, and III) indicating high, medium, and low danger levels, respectively. The standard outlines the principles for determining the precedence of hazards when a substance or mixture exhibits multiple dangers and is not specifically listed by name. It also provides specific classification requirements for transport samples and articles containing not otherwise specified (N.O.S.) dangerous goods. A significant update in this version is the detailed classification criteria for miscellaneous dangerous goods (Class 9). This includes specific provisions and hazard determination principles for lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries, capacitors, and environmentally hazardous substances. Manufacturers must ensure these items meet rigorous design, safety, and quality management system requirements to be properly classified for transport.
Testing methods
The standard references various testing methods to determine the physical and chemical properties of dangerous goods for accurate classification. Key evaluations include flash point determination using closed-cup and open-cup methods for flammable liquids, and burning rate tests for flammable solids. It also mandates oxidizing properties testing for solids and liquids, and sustained combustion tests. For toxic substances, acute toxicity tests (oral, dermal, and inhalation) are required to determine the LD50 and LC50 values. Additionally, it references the UN *Manual of Tests and Criteria* (Rev. 8) for critical procedures such as the classification of self-reactive substances, organic peroxides, and the section 38.3 tests for lithium and sodium-ion batteries.
FAQs
What products and transportation modes are regulated under GB 6944-2025?
GB 6944-2025 applies to the classification and numbering of dangerous goods for transportation and related activities across all modes. However, it explicitly excludes dangerous goods transported in bulk by waterway.
Are there any significant updates from the previous GB 6944-2012 version?
The 2025 edition introduces several key updates, including the addition of classification requirements for sodium-ion batteries, capacitors, and ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers in Class 9. It also adds definitions for adsorbed gases, polymerizing substances, and updates the classification principles for lithium batteries and mixtures.
How does GB 6944-2025 differ from international standards?
The technical content of GB 6944-2025 is consistent with the UN *Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations* (Revision 23) and the *Manual of Tests and Criteria* (Revision 8). It aligns China's domestic dangerous goods classification with international UN standards.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 6944-2025. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 6944-2025 today to access all detailed parameters, classification tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Safety
- CCS
- A80
- ICS
- 13.300
- Competent department
- Standardization Administration of China
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Hazardous Chemicals Management of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB 6944-2012