The GHS:
A Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals
Andrew Fasey
andrew.fasey@ptkltd.com
Framing a Future
Chemicals Policy,
Boston,
27 – 29 April 2005
Why I am here
• PTK Ltd: consultancy on regulatory chemicals issues
(e.g. REACH, GHS, SAICM)
• European Commission (ENTR: 01 - 004)
• author (1 of) of REACH
• co-decision process (Council & EP)
• implementation of GHS in EU
• UK Government (HSE): international chemicals policy
• author (1 of) of GHS: IOMC drafting group
• policy on chemicals strategy White Paper
• Acting head of UK delegation to IFCS III
• European Commission (ENV chemicals unit: 94 – 97)
• NONS, ESR, C&L
Presentation
Introduction – what, benefits
The GHS Elements
Maintenance of the GHS
EU Implementation
What is the GHS?
Common and coherent approach to:
 defining and classifying chemical hazards
 communicating information on labels and
safety data sheets.
Underlying infrastructure for
comprehensive national chemical
safety programs.
Benefits of Harmonization
 Countries, international organizations,
chemical producers and users of chemicals
all benefit.
 Enhance protection of humans and
environment.
 Facilitate international trade in chemicals.
 Reduce need for duplicate testing and
evaluation.
 Assist countries and international
organizations in the sound management of
chemicals.
The Scope of the GHS
All hazardous chemical substances and
mixtures.
Pharmaceuticals, food additives,
cosmetics and pesticide residues in
food not covered at the point of
intentional intake but will be covered
where workers may be exposed and in
transport.
Principles of Harmonization
 The level of protection should not be
reduced as a result of harmonization.
 The scope includes both hazard
classification criteria and hazard
communication tools (labels, SDS’s).
 Changes in all existing systems will be
required.
Principles of Harmonization (cont.)
 Not a testing system for health and
environmental hazards.
 Target audiences include consumers,
workers, transport workers and emergency
responders.
 Confidential Business Information (CBI)
should be protected.
The GHS Elements
Classification Criteria
Health
Environment
Physical
Hazard Communication
Labels
Safety Data Sheets
The GHS: Classification
Health & Environmental Hazards
Acute Toxicity
Skin Corrosion/Irritation
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization
Germ Cell Mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single
and Repeated Dose
Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment
More to come …
Physical Hazards
Explosives
Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids
Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases
Self-Reactive
Pyrophoric – liquids, solids
Self-Heating
Organic Peroxides
Corrosive to Metals
Gases Under Pressure
Water activated flammable gases
Definitions, test methods and
classification criteria based on
existing transport system
The GHS:
Hazard Communication
Labels
Safety Data Sheets
The GHS: Hazard Communication
Considerations
The needs of the different sectors
covered by the GHS vary considerably:
Workplace
Consumers
Transport
Emergency responders
Key Label Elements
Product identifier
Supplier identifier
Chemical identity
Hazard pictograms*
Signal words*
Hazard statements*
Precautionary information
*Standardized
Further harmonisation to follow
The GHS: Label Elements
Pictogram shape and colour
Transport - pictograms to have current
background and symbol colours.
Other sectors - pictograms to have a
black symbol on a white background
with a red diamond frame (black and
white OK within one country).
If transport pictogram appears, the
GHS pictogram for the same hazard
should not.
Transport pictograms
GHS pictograms
!
The GHS: Label Elements
Signal Words
“Danger” or “Warning”
Used to emphasize hazard and
discriminate between levels of
hazard
The GHS: Label Elements
Hazard Statements
 A single harmonized hazard statement for
each level of hazard within each hazard
class.
Example: Flammable Liquids
Category Hazard Statement
1
Extremely flammable liquid and vapour
2
Highly flammable liquid and vapour
3
Flammable liquid and vapour
4
Combustible liquid
Role of the SDS
 Provide comprehensive information
about a chemical substance or mixture.
 Primary Use: The Workplace
 Employers and workers use the SDS as
a source of information about hazards
and to obtain advice on safety
precautions.
Maintenance of the GHS
The UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) has international
responsibility and oversight of the GHS.
New parent committee responsible for
GHS and TDG
- Existing Subcommittee of Experts on
TDG (UNSETDG)
- New Subcommittee of Experts on the
GHS (UNSEGHS)
Maintenance of the GHS
Functions of the UNSEGHS:
To make the GHS available for worldwide
use and application
To make guidance available on the
application & implementation of the GHS
To prepare work programmes and submit
recommendations to the committee
To develop and improve the GHS
International Context
• Rio, 1992 – Chapter 19 of UNCED Agenda 21
• Development by IOMC, to end 2001
• UN CETDG/GHS – agreed Dec 2002
• UN ECOSOC – adopted July 2003
• IFCS II - operational by 2008
• WSSD, Jo’burg – operational by 2008
EU Implementation
• WP: GHS to be considered as part of REACH
• EM to the Directive amending 67/548/EEC, 29
October 2003 – 2003/0257(COD)
“it is the intention of the Commission to propose the inclusion of the
… GHS into Community Law as soon as possible”
& more specifically
“the Commission will come forward with the necessary proposals for
having it adopted at the same time as the final adoption of the
REACH legislation”
EU – Implementation Issues
• Existing comprehensive C&L system
– Substances (67/548/EEC)
– Preparations (99/45/EEC)
– Applies to all sectors (apart from transport)
• Downstream legislation
– 30+ pieces affected
– Major implications
• REACH
– Timing, implementation period
– Part of or stand-alone
EU – Implementation Issues
• Non-GHS elements
– GHSify or as now
•
•
•
•
Scope and building blocks
Annex I – harmonised C&L
New EU MS
Competence
– Commission or MS
European Commission proposal end 2005?
The GHS Document
http://www.unece.org/trans/dang
er/publi/ghs/ghs_rev00/00files_e.
html
The GHS Document: ST/SG/AC.10/30
Contact
Andrew Fasey
andrew.fasey@ptkltd.com
www.ptkltd.com