The enzyme is activated by divalent cations and reduced glutathione. The enzyme from human transfers sulfate to position 6 of both internal residues and non-reducing terminal GalNAc 4-sulfate residues of chondroitin sulfate. Oligosaccharides derived from chondroitin sulfate also serve as acceptors but chondroitin sulfate E, keratan sulfate and heparan sulfate do not. Differs from EC?2.8.2.17, chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase, in being able to use both chondroitin and dermatan as effective substrates.