Safety Emporium for all your lab and safety needs

Gastroenteritis

Glossary Index

Gingivitis

MSDS Topics	Free Sites	FAQ's	Regulations	Glossary	Software	Suppliers
	Books	Forum	Poll	Fun stuff	Quiz	Store
Understand your MSDS with the MS-Demystifier				Search ALL our MSDS info

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

Definition

• The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international consensus sytem for classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals. The GHS is designed to streamline the hazard assessment, labeling, and hazard communication requirements within and between the countries that adopt it by promoting common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards, and to develop compatible labeling, material safety data sheets (MSDS's) and other information based on those classifications.

  GHS will resolve many, but not all, differences between MSDS's and labels between, for example, the US, Canada, and the European Union.

Additional Info

In the US, OSHA can not adopt GHS principles without an act of Congress to authorize the changes. After years of discussion, the first step in this regulatory process was intiated with OSHA's publication of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on September 12, 2006. A 60 day comment period received over 100 written and electronic comments (select HAZARD COMMUNICATION (H022K) from the browse list). The responses generally supported adoption and highlighted the need for harmonization. On September 30, 2009, OSHA published its proposed rulemaking to incorporate changes per the GHS (US Federal Register 74:50279-50549). You can view this document in HTML on OSHA's web site or download it as PDF file from the US Government Printing Office. The Public Comment period ended December 29, 2009 and gathered several hundred written comments that are available here. In understanding how the GHS will ultimately affect Hazard Communication in the US, it is important to remember that the GHS is a model standard and is not meant to be approved and implemented as written. For example, OSHA's HCS currently covers acute toxicity with respect to MSDSs. The GHS's coverage of acute toxicity is quite broad, covering consumer protection in addition to occupational concerns. As OSHA has no regulatory authority for consumer issues/products, the HCS will not be able to incorporate all the changes to acute toxicity that the GHS suggests. Now that the rulemaking process had been set in motion, it appears that US adoption of (parts of) the GHS is inevitable. There is no fixed timetable for this process, and it will likely be phased in over a period of years. As these changes are enacted, they will result in the first significant changes to MSDS's and labeling in the US since the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard's last update which took effect in March of 1994. A detailed comparison between the GHS and OSHA HCS systems is available on OSHA's web site. The major effects on MSDS's are discussed in the next section. Breaking News: - 01/24/2012, The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) extended its review period for OSHA's final rule, which adopts the GHS for its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). This one-time extension will last no more than 30 days. The OMB also has the option of returning the final rule to OSHA for reconsideration during the review. See http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201104&RIN=1218-AC20 for more information.

Be up to date with Federal regulations with searchable hypertext PDF CD-ROMs from Safety Emporium.

Note: OSHA is not the only US federal agency involved in implementing GHS. For additional agency GHS web sites see:

• The US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has an article on Global Harmonization of Hazard Classification and Labeling Systems
• The US Environmmental Protection Agency has a web site on Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals with an emphasis on pesticides.
• The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is working on a GHS policy as well.

In the European Union, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels are required to use a uniform coding system of risk phrases and safety phrases to communicate risks and precautions. The phrases are accompanied by numbers so the phrases can be easily translated or understood in multiple languages. The GHS takes a similar approach but risk phrases and safety phrases will be replaced. Risk phrases will become Hazard Statements ("H-statements") and safety phrases will become Precautionary Statements ("P-statements"). This change makes modifications and additions to the existing R- and S-phrases and introduces a new numbering system. Note: the phrases must always be written out in words; the numbers are provided as a reference only and should never be used as a substitute for the full phrases.

Some GHS resources for other countries include:

• European Union (Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) considerations - http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/chemicals/classification/how-does-clp-work/index_en.htm.
• Canada - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/intactiv/ghs-sgh/index-eng.php.
• Taiwan - http://ghs.cla.gov.tw/en/news.php?item=ghstaiwan&mode=news.
• Japan - http://www.safe.nite.go.jp/english/ghs_index.html.

MSDS Relevance

As the GHS goes into force in the US, there will be significant changes to the labeling and MSDS requirements found under the existing OSHA HazCom Standard. First, the OSHA HazCom standard is performance-oriented. Under the current system, certain information has to appear on an MSDS, but there is no required format. GHS will require a standardized 16-part format which mirrors the ANSI format that OSHA has been recommending for some time.

GHS adds some additional required content for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and changes the way that some information is currently reported on MSDS's. For example, the GHS calls for including the recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on its use. GHS classifications of the substance/mixture and any regional information must be included. GHS labeling elements must be reproduced, either graphically or in text. For the first time, sheets will be required to list the CAS number of the hazardous components. Hazardous impurities must also be disclosed.

Additional differences include accidental release measures for containment and cleanup as well as concise but complete toxicological and ecological information (such as ecotoxicity, bioaccumulation potential), mobility in soil, persistence, and degradability). Note, however, that OSHA has no authority over environmental issues, the domain of the EPA, so these parts will likely be recommended but not mandatory in the US. Likewise, the GHS requires transportation information such as the UN Number, proper shipping name, packing group, and more, but, again, OSHA has no authority over such matters (which fall under DOT). In short, some of the GHS changes will be mandatory when the HCS is revised, but some will not be! The criteria for MSDS component disclosure also differs between the two systems. The level of hazardous components can be given as ranges or concentrations under GHS, whereas the HCS specifies percentages. Under the current HCS, MSDS's are only updated when changes are made to the material or new hazards are discovered. The GHS recommends setting a specific time period (3-5 years) for review of the information, something that Canada already requires under WHMIS. Many of the health and physical hazard definitions differ between the HCS and GHS. Again, see the detailed comparison between the GHS and OSHA HCS systems for more information. Remember, the GHS is a model standard, so it is not simply approved and implemented as written, so not all of its clauses will become part of US (or other countries') law.

These handy MSDS binder training inserts and other Right To Know compliance materials are available at Safety Emporium.

Further Reading

• OSHA's A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
• OSHA Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System, a 51-slide PowerPoint presentation.
• Status of GHS Implementation by country at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
• Full text of the GHS (2007) including the Annexes which discuss required classification and labeling.
• Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals at the US EPA.
• Globally Harmonized System at Sigma-Aldrich, a major chemical supplier, includes some nice timeline and country data.
• GHS Update - OSHA's Activities Related to Adoption, September 18, 2007.

See also: ACGIH, ANSI, CFR, Hazard Statements, Precautionary Statements, risk phrases, safety phrases, UN/NA Numbers.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.