Implementation of the GHS

Presented by: Denese A. Deeds, CIH

Industrial Health & Safety Consultants, Inc.
Woodbridge, CT
 What is the GHS?
• The GHS is an acronym for The Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The GHS is a system for
standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of
chemicals. It is a logical and comprehensive approach to:
• Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of
chemicals;
• Creating classification processes that use available data on
chemicals for comparison with the defined hazard criteria;
and
• Communicating hazard information, as well as protective
measures, on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
 What are the Benefits of the
GHS?
• Enhanced protection through internationally
comprehensible system for hazard communication
• Recognized framework for countries with no existing
system
• Reduced need for testing and evaluation of chemicals
• Facilitation of international trade
• A safer work environment and improved relations with
employees,
• An increase in efficiency and reduced costs from
compliance with hazard communication regulations,
• Application of expert systems resulting in maximizing
expert resources and minimizing labor and costs,
• Facilitation of electronic transmission systems with
international scope,
• Expanded use of training programs on health and safety,
 What Does the GHS Cover?
• Covers all hazardous • research/development
chemical • production
• substances • storage
• transport
• and mixtures
• workplace use
• in all types of use • consumer use
situations
• presence in the
environment
 What is not Covered?
• The following are not generally covered at the point of
intentional intake/application
– Foods and food additives
– Pesticide residues
– Human and veterinary drugs
– Cosmetics
• Covered in the workplace and transport
• Articles as defined by OSHA - not covered
 How will the GHS be Applied?
• Existing test data can be used
• - re-testing not required
• Based on intrinsic hazards
• Competent Authority will decide how to apply
various elements (i.e. labels, symbols, sds)
– For example: Transport will not adopt signal words; Consumer
products will not require safety data sheets
 GHS Classification Criteria
Physical Hazards
• Explosives
• Flammable gases
• Flammable aerosols
• Oxidizing gases
• Gases under pressure
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable solids
• Self-reactive Substances
• Pyrophoric liquids
• Pyrophoric solids
• Self-heating substances
• Substances, which, in
contact with water emit
flammable gases
• Oxidizing liquids
• Oxidizing solids
• Organic peroxides
• Corrosive to metals
 GHS - Physical Hazards

• Substances and Mixtures - same criteria

• Same criteria as current for transport classes
(some additional categories added)
• Most hazard classes are divided into
categories
• In general categories = packing groups
 GHS Health/Environmental
Hazards
• Acute toxicity • Reproductive toxicity
• Skin corrosion/
Irritation • Carcinogenicity
• Serious eye damage/ • Specific target organ
Eye irritation
systemic toxicity
• Sensitization
• Aspiration Toxicity (single and repeat
• Germ cell dose)
mutagenicity • Aquatic toxicity -
acute and chronic
 GHS Label Elements
– Product Identification
– Supplier Identification
– Symbols/Hazard Pictograms*
– Signal Words*
– Hazard Statements*
– Precautionary Information
• *Standardized
 GHS Symbols/Pictograms
• Same symbol (where there is commonality) and
pictogram shape for transport
• and supply (square on point)
• Transport will maintain current labels
(pictograms)
• Supply symbols have a black
• symbol on a white background
• with red frame
GHS Pictograms
 Other Label Elements
• Signal Word
– Danger - Warning
• Standard Hazard Statements
– Example: Flammable liquids
• Category 1: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour
• Category 2: Highly flammable liquid and vapour
• Category 3: Flammable liquid and vapour
• Category 4: Combustible liquid
 GHS Label Example
• 2-Methyl Flammaline
• Danger
• Highly Flammable Liquid
and Vapor
• Harmful if Swallowed
• May cause cancer

• Keep away from heat, sparks and flame - No Smoking

• Keep container closed. Use only in well ventilated areas.
• Wash thoroughly after handling. Avoid all contact.

• ABC Chemical Company, 3 Main Street, Hartford, CT 860-123-2222

Implementation Status

2008??
 Australia
• MSDS Standard Follows the GHS
(NOHSC:2011(2003))
• Draft Classification and Labelling Standard
released September 2006 for workplace
chemicals - comment open until 2/07
• Other sectors in discussion
• Working towards implementation in 2006
 Mexico/Central-South America
• Mexico has identified changes needed and
plans to adopt as soon as other “key
economies” adopt.
• Brazil raising awareness, training, etc.
• Equador had a conference in March 2006
• Other countries beginning review
 Canada
• Has conducted situational analysis
• February 2006 Interim Recommendations
published
• Next steps - economic analysis,
development of final recommendations,
regulatory process
 China
• Translated GHS into Chinese
• Transformed the technical requirements into
national standards which will be brought
into effect in 2006
• Implementation will be phased in but
schedule not available
 Europe
• Draft Regulation issued for consultation September 2006
• Stays as close as possible to the GHS
• Keeps the scope as close as possible to the existing system
• Adopting all GHS Hazard Classes
• Does not adopt categories not in the current system
(combustible liquids, acute toxicity category 5, etc,)
• Adds certain categories not currently covered by GHS
(ozone depletion, defatting to skin, reacts violently with
water)
• Plan to number the hazard statements
• Will develop “Annex 1” for high concern chemicals
 Europe
• Transitional Period
– 3 years for substances, 4-5 additional years for
mixtures
– Dual system for this period
– Chemicals notified under REACH will require
GHS classification and SDS
• Regulation - not Directive
• Will modify 20+ other regulations affected
 Japan
• Translated the GHS into Japanese
• Working on the Classification of 1500 chemicals
(poisonous and deleterious substances) under GHS
(in Japanese only)
• Industrial Health and Safety Law amended in
2005 to implement GHS for SDS and
• March 2006 National Standard developed for
labelling chemicals under GHS
• December 2006 GHS labels required for
poisonous and deleterious substances
 New Zealand
• GHS was adopted in 2001
• 2500 chemicals have been classified
• Early 2007 a searchable database of
classifications will be available
• SDS uses GHS format
• New chemicals covered since 7/2001,
existing chemicals were covered 7/2006 but
other labeling is permitted until 2010
 Korea
• Study began in 2003
• Translated the GHS into Korean 2005
• Draft standards for implementation
expected 2006, full adoption in 2008
 US
• DOT has proposed changes to regulations to implement the
GHS in the transport sector and remain harmonized with
the UN TDG.
• OSHA published the ANPR on adopting the GHS 9/12/06.
Comment period closed 11/7
• OSHA plans to adopt all the classification criteria except
acute toxicity category 5 and environmental hazard criteria
- do not have authority for environmental information.
• A phrase-in period is planned but details not developed.
 For More Information
• Society for Chemical Hazard
Communication (SCHC) www.schc.org
• SCHC-OSHA Alliance
http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/schc/schc.html
• OSHA Hazard Communication Website
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/index.html

• GHS Website
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev01/01files_e.html