Revised Hazardous Chemical Safety Law: “Dedicated Storage Cabinets” Defined as Statutory Equipment

Legal Background – Regulation of Small-Volume Indoor Storage

The revised Hazardous Chemical Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China will take effect on May 1, 2026.

The update introduces the legal concept of “dedicated storage cabinets”, defining compliance requirements for indoor storage of small quantities of hazardous chemicals.

Key Provision – Legal Status of Safety Cabinets

According to Article 41 of the revised law:

• Hazardous chemicals must be stored in designated storage locations
• “Dedicated storage cabinets” are formally recognized as legal storage carriers
• Applicable to laboratories, workshops, and medical facilities

Traditional storage methods using open shelves or non-compliant cabinets will be considered non-compliant.

Technical Requirements – Standardized Safety Cabinet Parameters

The law specifies mandatory technical indicators for compliant cabinets:

• Dual-person, dual-lock management system
• Fire resistance duration ≥ 30 minutes
• Anti-static grounding structure
• Spill containment capacity ≥ 110%
• Built-in forced ventilation system

These parameters are designed to control risks such as:

• Chemical leakage
• Fire and explosion
• Corrosion damage
• Vapor emission

Additional Requirements for High-Risk Chemicals

For highly toxic, explosive, or controlled chemicals, the regulation further requires:

• Independent dedicated storage cabinets
• Full inventory tracking and record-keeping
• Traceable management of storage and handling

Enterprise Compliance Strategy

Enterprises handling hazardous chemicals should:

• Deploy compliant safety cabinets in advance
• Upgrade storage systems
• Establish management procedures
• Conduct safety training for personnel

These measures are necessary to complete compliance before the law takes effect.

 Industry Trend

The revised law promotes a standardized direction for hazardous chemical storage:

• Dedicated cabinets for specific chemical categories
• Parameter-based compliance verification
• Full-process management and traceability

 Summary

The legal definition of “dedicated storage cabinets” establishes a clear regulatory framework for hazardous chemical storage. Enterprises must align with technical parameters and legal requirements to ensure compliant and safe operations.