China recently issued General Principles for Identification of Hazardous Wastes (GB5085.7-2019) and Technical Specification for Identification of Hazardous Wastes (HJ298-2019). Original versions were both issued in 2007.

   Purposes of the revision are to improve identification process, optimize requirements on sampling and detection technologies, reduce identification costs, encourage recycling of hazardous wastes and diversify ways to dispose hazardous wastes. Three new clauses are as follows:

   * Solid wastes that are not listed in National List of Hazardous Wastes but may have corrosiveness, toxicity, inflammability and reactiveness shall be identified according to GB 5085.1, GB 5085.2, GB 5085.3, GB 5085.4, GB 5085.5, GB 5085.6 and HJ 298.

   * The result of mixing (i.e. spreading dangerous properties to other substances) shall be a precondition to decide if mixed solid wastes are hazardous wastes.

   * Solid wastes from use of toxic and hazardous wastes shall not be classified as hazardous wastes if they no longer have hazardous characteristics.