What Are The GHS Label Requirements?

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a universal system to regulate the transfer of information regarding chemicals across international borders. Once in place, the GHS should create a system where people from all jurisdictions can read and understand the documents pertaining to a certain chemical or mixture.

One component of the GHS setup is the labeling of chemicals. The GHS has outlined specific requirements that must be followed in terms of creating a label for a chemical product. There are nine elements that must be included on all GHS labels. In this order, the following elements must be included:

• Product name or identifier
• Hazard symbol
• Signal word
• Physical, health and environmental hazard statements
• Supplemental information
• Precautionary measures and pictograms
• First aid statements
• Name and address of company
• Telephone number

Supplemental information can also be included on the label if the supplier would like to include additional information related to the hazard, such as physical state or routes of exposure. This information is non-harmonized information that is not required under the (GHS. In some cases, this information may be required by an additional authoritative agency, or it may just be added at the request of the manufacturer. The GHS allows for supplemental information to provide further detail, as long as it does not contradict or cast doubt on the validity of the required hazardous information.

Need of Canadian Consumer Label Review Service

Canadian Consumer Label Review (CCCR) can be both complicated and time consuming. There are many regulations associated with the CCCR 2001 issued under the Hazardous Products Act. It is best to consult an organization that has the expertise with these rules and regulations to ensure the products are correctly classified and products will not be recalled due to improper classification, packaging and/or labeling.

There are services available to help organizations stay compliant with the ever changing consumer labeling regulations. Consulting services provide companies with expert interpretations, guidance and compliance with the GHS guidelines. Typically companies out pursuit GHS services to save time, save money and increase efficiency.

The person who classifies the product is responsible for the CCCR. So if the CCCR is not outsourced to a company of experts and the importer/distributor or manufacture of a consumer product decides to complete the CCCR in-house they will be obligated to assess and correctly classify, package and label the product (as per Parts 1 to 5 of the CCCR-2001). It is not the retailersresponsibility to ensure the product is packaged correctly. The person responsible for classifying the product is also responsible for providing the necessary information to a government inspector should there be a packaging concern or a product audit.

Why (GHS) Globally Harmonized System is necessary?

Currently, most countries have different label requirements as well as classification systems for chemical products. It is also not uncommon for a country to have several different chemical classification systems. The inconsistencies have become very expensive for companies to comply with due to the numerous standards they are required to me for each system. Many governments are also experiencing the high cost or regulating and enforcing numerous

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an initiative undertaken by the United Nations to create uniform regulatory regimes among all countries for communication and classification of chemicals. The GHS offers guidance for pure chemicals and mixtures classification. The GHS also attempts to standardize globally the information (i.e. phrases and symbols) required on chemical labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS).

The GHS provides uniform definitions and classifications for the hazards of chemical products. The GHS also sets the standard for the safety information required on labels and MSDS also known as Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The GHS objective is have the same rules globally resulting in universal international content labels and MSDS as well as Chemical classification hazards.

The intended audience for the GHS includes consumers, emergency responders and workers. The Globalized system will be less confusing and be more cost effective. Business will no longer need to meet several different requirements to sell their products abroad, they will only need to confirm with one set of regulations that are universally accepted.

GHS (Globally Harmonized System)

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) was created with the intention of harmonizing existing systems of labelling hazardous materials. The shaping of the system focused on building a single system to address the classification of chemicals, labels and safety data sheets.

Once completed in 2001, the System was sent to the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS). This sub-committee had been previously established and is responsible for maintaining the system updated and for promoting its satisfactory performance both nationally and internationally.

Given the widespread use and trade of chemicals in the world, and the fact that regulations on their use vary from country to country, the Harmonized System is directed not only to governments, but also to national and international institutions responsible for handling chemicals.

Some advantages of carrying out the harmonized system are:

– Protecting human life and the environment
– Providing support and information to countries which lack their own system
– Reducing the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals
– Facilitating international trade

WHAT IS GHS

Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemical substances or simply GHS is an initiative by the United Nations to provide an accurate classification of all chemical substances by defining their hazard types. This would include both symbols and phrases.

This initiative was required because of a wide disparity among the laws of various countries with respect to those governing the use, handling and transportation of chemicals. By the introduction of GHS it is sought to bring all the laws under one classification of the UN. This would provide a safe global environment while permitting trade between countries. GHS would include the classification of the chemicals besides the labeling and the recording of Safety Data Sheets or SDS. Every company dealing in chemical substances would need a consultant to provide an accurate interpretation of GHS besides professional guidance towards total compliance of this new system.

What are the requirements of a GHS “Globally Harmonized System” SDS?

The GHS SDS hazard document is issued in order to accomplish the following tasks:

1.Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensive system for hazard communication
2.Provide a recognized framework for those countries without an existing system
3.Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals
4.Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis

However, in order to do all of the above a GHS SDS document needs to be authored which should be produced for all substances and mixtures that meet the harmonized criteria for physical, health or environmental hazards under the GHS and for all mixtures which contain ingredients that meet the criteria for carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction or specific target organ toxicity in concentrations exceeding the cut-off limits for SDS specified by criteria for mixtures.

Minimum requirements for a GHS SDS are the following 16 heading sections:

1.Identification
2.Hazard(s) identification
3.Composition/information on ingredients
4.First-aid measures
5.Fire-fighting measures
6.Accidental release measures
7.Handling and storage
8.Exposure controls/personal protection
9.Physical and chemical properties
10.Stability and reactivity
11.Toxicological information
12.Ecological information
13.Disposal considerations
14.Transport information
15.Regulatory information
16.Other information

What does GHS stand for and what is its purpose?

The new regulation of chemical products GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The main purpose of GHS is to:

a)Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensive system for hard communication

b)Provide a recognized framework for those countries without and existing system

c)Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals, and

d)Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international base

GHS regulation is composed of following hazard classes, also referred as building blocks i. Physical Hazards, ii, Health Hazards and iii. Environmental Hazards; each of those classes are composed of several subcategories. Countries which will follow the regulations of the GHS standard are free to determine which of the building block subcategories will be applied in different parts of their system. However, where a system covers certain information that is in the GHS, and implements the GHS, that coverage should be consistent. Also to note that, suppliers should also periodically review the information on which the label and SDS for a substance or mixture is based, even if no new and significant information has been provided to them in respect of that substance or mixture. The competent authority may chose to specify a time, typically 3-5 years from the date or original preparation, within which suppliers should review the labels and SDS information.

The main element one needs to take into consideration is to follow the regulation according to the set standard, as well as to characterize the risk assessment by a simple formula: HAZARD x EXPOSURE = RISK

GHS

Safe Work Australia released their proposed GHS related revisions during the month of July 2009. This included a draft copy of their ‘National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets’. The 120 page document, available as both a Word and a PDF file contains a great deal of useful information. Of particular interest is the GHS classifications that are outside of the scope of the draft regulations, which are as follows:

Acute toxicity – oral – category 5

Acute toxicity – dermal – category 5

Acute toxicity – inhalation – category 5

Skin corrosion/irritation – category 3

Serious eye damage/eye irritation – category 2B

Aspiration hazard – category 2

Flammable gas – category 2

Flammable liquid – category 4

Acute hazard to the aquatic environment – categories 1, 2 and 3

Chronic hazard to the aquatic environment – categories 1, 2, 3 and 4

This may present a challenge to MSDS authors who are attempting to write multi-jurisdictional MSDSs/SDSs, as some of these categories are used in other countries. Note, however, that the categories are listed as ‘not mandatory’, so as the regulations currently stand an MSDS author could include them on an MSDS. However, they are not required to do so.