How do you get non-hazardous goods “white listed” for transport in the Yangtze River?

On March 1, 2021, the Yangtze River Protection Law of the People & Republic of China was officially implemented, in which Article 51 stipulates that highly toxic chemicals and other hazardous chemicals that are prohibited in inland rivers by state regulations shall be prohibited from transportation in the Yangtze River Basin.

Pure substances of embargoed dangerous goods in the Yangtze River refer to chemicals marked as highly toxic in the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals 2015, and chemicals listed in the Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals Prohibited in Inland Waterways (2019 version). Generally speaking, the CAS number is the sole criterion for determining whether they are embargoed hazardous chemicals in the Yangtze River. Due to the difficulty to identify mixtures, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration thereunder issued a statement to further clarify the declaration requirements for dangerous goods transportation in Waigaoqiao Area. (Click here to see the details)

In summary, where the following circumstances are both met, the substances shall be identified as hazardous chemicals that are prohibited from transportation in the Yangtze River:

1. Mixtures containing embargoed components (the determination for embargoed components shall see the determination criteria of pure substances prohibited from transportation in the Yangtze River);

2. Mixtures with classifications of the following hazard category: health hazards: acute toxicity Category 1; hazardous to the aquatic environment: acute toxicity Category 1; hazardous to the aquatic environment: long-term hazard Category 1. (Components that lead the mixture to the above Category 1 classifications are embargoed.)

Why is there a “white list” of non-hazardous goods in the Yangtze River?

Generally, shipping companies will make mandatory requirements for enterprises to provide the complete component information in order to determine whether the goods are embargoed in Yangtze River or not. For business confidentiality considerations, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration released the “White list” of non-hazardous goods in the Yangtze River, which means enterprises can apply for determinations to the authority. The authority will announce those that do not belong to the scope of embargoed goods as the "White List", which can be inquired about via the official website.

Some of the announced product information is shown below. Products in the “White List” are accessible to transport or transit through the Waigaoqiao area.

How do you apply for inclusion in the “White list” of non-hazardous goods in the Yangtze River?

For your substance(s) to be considered for inclusion in the white list you must prepare and submit the following materials:

• Written application;
• Forms with required information in accordance with the public disclosure format;
• Other supporting materials such as SDSs.