This article reviews the history and implementation of the development of occupational hygiene standard setting in the People's Republic of China. The author raises questions concerned with standard setting and gives examples of toxicants for which the scientific basis of revision is given. The principles and approaches used to set or revise hygiene standards in China are explained, and suggestions to help speed up the standard setting are also given. As a rule, field and epidemiologic surveys and the utilization of existing toxicologic information are emphasized. Repetitions of animal experimentation should be avoided.