August 2011

Introduction to the Globally

Harmonised System of

Classification and Labelling of

Chemicals (GHS)

August 2011

Course Objectives

Understand how and why the GHS was developed

Understand the purpose, objectives and benefits of the GHS

Understand the scope and application of the GHS

Become familiar with the basic elements of the GHS

Understand the GHS in relation to other international agreements and standards

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Chapter 1

Background, Context, and Scope and Application of the GHS

Lesson 1: Background on the GHS

Lesson 2: Scope and Application of the GHS

Chapter 1: Objectives

Learn what the GHS is, and who is responsible for it

Understand why the GHS was developed, and how it relates to other international agreements and standards

Learn how the GHS was developed

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Lesson 1: Background on the GHS

This lesson will show:

What is the GHS

What is the “Purple Book”

Why and how the GHS was developed

What the role of the GHS is in chemical safety management

Who is responsible for the GHS

How GHS relates to other international agreements and standards on chemicals

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The GHS

The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is:

An international system that harmonises the classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals

A logical and comprehensive approach for:

Defining health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals

Applying agreed hazard criteria to classify chemicals based on their hazardous effects

Communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets

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The Purple Book

United Nations (UN) publication of the GHS

Outlines the provisions in four parts:

Introduction (scope, definitions, hazard communication)

Classification criteria for physical hazards

Classification criteria for health hazards

Classification of environmental hazards

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Annexes 8

Annex 1 Allocation of label elements

Annex 2 Classification and labeling summary table

Annex 3 Codification of hazard statements, codification and use of precautionary statements and examples of precautionary

pictograms

Annex 4 Guidance on the preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Annex 5 Consumer product labeling based on the likelihood of injury

Annex 6 Comprehensibility testing methodology

Annex 7 Examples of arrangements of the GHS label elements

Annex 8 An example of Classification in the Globally Harmonized System

Annex 9 Guidance on hazards to the aquatic environment

Annex 10Guidance on transformation/dissolution of metals and metal compounds in aqueous media

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Need for the GHS

Why was the GHS developed

Chemicals contribute to improving the standard of living around the world:

Purifying water

Promoting growth of food

Improving hygiene

Producing essential goods

Use of these chemicals involves risks to safety and health

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How extensive is chemical use?

The world’s largest substance data base is the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry:

Currently has over 60 million organic and inorganic substances recorded

Not all are produced on a regular basis

Potential for harm to people is great:

Chemicals cause a broad range of health effects and adverse effects on the environment

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that 25% of workplace deaths worldwide are due to chemical exposures

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Availability of chemical information

Many countries have tried to address protection from chemicals through laws that require dissemination of information about their hazards:

These laws are similar, but vary in definitions of hazards covered, information required on labels, and provisions for safety data sheets

The result is a disparity in the extent of information provided, the form it is provided in, and the coverage of chemicals and people

Other countries have no coverage

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Results of conflicting requirements

Extensive international trade in chemicals results in exposed people seeing a wide variety of labels and safety data sheets

Differences in communication practices lead to differences in effectiveness

The broad range of provisions also leads to technical barriers to trade

Small companies in particular are effectively left out of international trade by the difficulties of complying with all these requirements

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The GHS addresses these issues

Provides a chemical classification and labelling system that is updated and maintained internationally

Includes provisions for a common and coherent approach to classifying hazards and preparing labels and safety data sheets

Results in more effective communication worldwide

Facilitates trade in chemicals

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Benefits of the GHS

Provides global benefits, as well as benefits to governments, industry, and chemical users (workers and consumers):

Enhances the protection of human health and the environment through the provision of harmonised chemical safety and health information

Reduces the need for duplicative testing of chemicals

Provides the informational infrastructure for chemical safety and health management programs

Increases efficiencies; reduces costs of compliance; lowers health care costs, etc.

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How was the GHS developed?

International mandate was adopted in the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development:

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“A globally harmonised hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000.”

Development of the GHS

Agenda 21 of the UNCED agreements included the mandate, and instructed the developers to build on existing systems

The process ultimately included numerous countries, multiple international organizations, and many stakeholder representatives

The GHS was developed based on consensus among the participants

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What is the GHS based on?

A meeting of experts convened by the ILO identified the following existing systems as the primary basis for the GHS:

Requirements of systems in the United States for the workplace, consumers and pesticides

Requirements of Canada for the workplace, consumers and pesticides

European Union directives for classification and labelling of substances and preparations

The United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

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Basis Principles of Harmonisation

In order to guide the discussions, the participants agreed to a set of basic principles

Key among these was an agreement that the level of protection offered by existing systems would not be reduced as a result of harmonising the provisions

This allowed countries to participate in negotiations on the basis that the protection of their current systems would be maintained or enhanced as a result of harmonisation

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Other principles

The GHS would be based on the classification of hazards (i.e., intrinsic properties)

Sectors would be able to choose those parts of the GHS relevant to them

Hazard communication would be addressed in addition to classification

Comprehensibility (communicating information in an understandable manner) is key

Validated data can continue to be used

Confidential business information needs to be addressed

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Who developed the GHS?

The Interorganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals’ Coordinating Group for the Harmonisation of Chemical Classification Systems managed the process of harmonisation

The Coordinating Group included representatives of interested countries, international organizations, and stakeholders

The technical work was completed by technical focal points with expertise in the area involved

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International organization responsibilities

International Labor Organization (ILO): Secretariat for the Coordinating Group and the hazard communication work group

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): Secretariat for health and environmental hazard criteria, including mixtures

United Nations’ Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Secretariat for physical hazard criteria

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Who is responsible for implementing the GHS?

The type of international legal instrument the GHS is considered to be is a “non-mandatory recommendation”

The GHS provisions become mandatory in countries or regions that adopt the GHS

Overseeing national or regional implementation is the responsibility of the competent authorities that adopt the GHS provisions. There is no international body that monitors implementation for compliance

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Who is responsible

Internationally, the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS is responsible for the maintenance, updating and promotion of the GHS:

Over 30 countries have jointed the S/C

Observer countries and stakeholders also participate

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26

GHS as the Basis for National Chemicals Management Programmes

Safe Use of Chemicals

Risk Management

Systems (risk communication,

exposure monitoring/control)

Hazard Communication (GHS Labels and SDS)

GHS Classification

GHS/Other international instruments

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

Rotterdam Convention/Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

Stockholm Convention/Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Basel Convention/Hazardous Waste

ILO Instruments re: chemicals

International Chemical Control Toolkit (Control Banding)

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Lesson 2: Scope and application of the GHS


What chemicals are covered in the GHS

Sectors affected by the GHS

How the hazard communication components are applied

The Building Block approach

Principles of hazard vs. risk

Principles of consumer product labelling based on likelihood of injury

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What chemicals are covered?

All hazardous chemicals are covered:

Includes substances, products, mixtures, preparations, formulations, and solutions.

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Chemical product life cycle 30

Application of the hazard communication components

The need for labels and safety data sheets varies by the product and the stage of the life cycle:

Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics, and pesticide residues in food will not be covered at the point of consumption (e.g., where a patient is taking a pharmaceutical), but will be covered in the workplace and in transport

These types of products are generally regulated based on risk where the consumer is exposed so are not subject to hazard communication

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Sectors affected by the GHS

The GHS is intended to cover any place where people are exposed to hazardous chemicals

Considering coverage of chemicals by sector is a convenient way to indicate different ways they may be covered due to differing exposures

However, countries may identify the sectors in any way that is appropriate to their regulatory system, as long as they consider all types of exposures

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Sectors that may be considered

Industrial workplace: Workers are a key sector to be considered. Chemicals are often present in all types of workplaces, from manufacturing facilities to construction, retail services to health care.

Agriculture (pesticides): Involves both workplace and consumer exposures, and is often regulated separately by countries.

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Sectors, cont.

Transport (emergency response): Another subset of occupational exposures that is often regulated separately. Involves many provisions beyond classification and labelling (e.g., packaging). These are addressed in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Also impacts public exposures.

Consumer Products (public): Involves products sold to the general public, and exposures of vulnerable populations (e.g., children).

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Building block approach

The GHS includes all of the regulatory tools needed to cover any of the sectors, hazards, or chemicals present:

Competent authorities can choose their own scope of coverage from the comprehensive choices presented in the GHS

Coverage may vary among sectors in the same country

The GHS provides the building blocks to construct an appropriate regulatory system

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Expected sector application

Transport: similar to current transport system covering physical hazards, acute toxicity, corrosivity, and aquatic toxicity; pictograms used to convey hazards

Workplace: all types of health and physical hazards; labels and safety data sheets, supplemented by training

Consumers: labels primary focus

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Differentiating hazard vs. risk

GHS is based primarily on the identification of the intrinsic properties of chemicals (hazards) that may cause harm

Risk is the likelihood of the harm, and is characterized by relating the expected exposure to the hazard identified

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Hazard x Exposure = Risk

GHS Hazard Classification

The purpose of the GHS is to provide information about the hazards of a chemical in order to help people determine the appropriate protections. This involves identifying the hazard; assessing the severity of the effect; and communicating the information to users.

When chemical users have information about the hazards, they can relate it to the exposure where it is used, and thus determine the risk. This is referred to as risk assessment. Determining the way to protect people is risk mitigation. Risk assessment and risk mitigation are uses of the GHS hazard classifications.

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Hazard Assessment Process 39

Risk Assessment 40

Optional consumer product labels

Some systems provide information on consumer labels regarding chronic health hazards only after considering risk (not based on hazards alone)

Since labels are the only means to provide information to consumers, these systems consider it important to consider the likelihood of injury before providing information on chronic effects

Annex 5 of the GHS outlines general principles for this process while not addressing harmonisation of risk-based labelling for consumer products

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Lesson 1 Classification

Lesson 2 Hazard Communication

Chapter 2

Technical Overview of the GHS

Chapter 2 Objectives

Be familiar with the main elements of the GHS

Understand who is responsible for development of the elements

Learn what hazards are covered by the GHS

Learn what the GHS hazard communication tools include and how the information is obtained by users

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Lesson 1: Classification


How classification is done under the GHS, and who is responsible for it

What physical, health, and environmental hazards are covered under the GHS

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What is hazard classification?

The GHS describes the process as follows:

Identification of relevant data regarding the specific hazard of the substance or mixture.

Subsequent review and quality check of those data to ascertain the hazards associated with the substance or mixture.

A decision on whether the substance or mixture will be classified as a hazardous substance or mixture and the degree of hazard, where appropriate, by comparison of the data with agreed hazard classification criteria.

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Key definitions

“Hazard class” means the nature of the physical, health or environmental hazard, e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, oral acute toxicity

“Hazard category” means the division of criteria within each hazard class, e.g. oral acute toxicity includes five hazard categories and flammable liquids include four hazard categories

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Acute Toxicity 47

Exposure route Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

Oral (mg/kg bodyweight) see: Note (a)

5

50 300 2000 5000

See detailed criteria in

Note (f)

Dermal (mg/kg bodyweight) see: Note (a)

50 200 1000 2000

Gases (ppmV) see: Note (a) Note (b)

100 500 2500 20000

Vapours (mg/l) see: Note (a) Note (b) Note (c) Note (d)

0.5

2.0 10 20

Dusts and Mists (mg/l) see: Note (a) Note (b) Note (e)

0.05 0.5 1.0 5

Who classifies hazards?

The GHS is designed to be a “self” classification system, i.e., chemical manufacturers classify their products based on evaluation of data and expert judgment

Some competent authorities may choose to classify chemicals, and provide lists of classifications

Chemical users do not have to undertake the classification process, but can rely on the information provided by their suppliers with the products when they purchase them

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How were the criteria developed?

Physical hazard criteria were based on the existing definitions in the UN transport system, revised to address other sectors

Health and environmental hazard criteria in existing systems were compared and analyzed

The most current scientific information was reviewed (and will be updated as necessary by the Subcommittee)

Negotiators agreed to harmonised approaches based on the information assembled

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Physical Hazards Hazard Class Hazard Category

Explosives Unstable Explosives Div 1.1

Div 1.2

Div 1.3

Div 1.4

Div 1.5

Div 1.6

Flammable Gases (including chemically unstable gases)

1 1A 1B 2 2A 2B

Aerosols 1 2 3

Oxidising Gases 1

Gases Under Pressure 1

Compressed Gases

Liquefied Gases Refrigerated Liquefied Gases

Dissolved Gases

Flammable Liquids 1 2 3 4

Flammable Solids 1 2

Self-reactive Substances Type A Type

B Type

C Type

D Type

E Type

F Type

G Pyrophoric Liquids 1

Pyrophoric Solids 1

Self-heating Substances and Mixtures

1 2

Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

1 2

3

Oxidising Liquids 1 2 3

Oxidising Solids 1 2 3

Organic Peroxides Type A Type

B Type

C Type

D Type

E Type

F Type

G Corrosive to Metals 1

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Health Hazards

Hazard ClassHazard Category

Acute Toxicity 1 2 3 4 5

Acute Toxicity: Oral

Acute Toxicity: Dermal

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation

Skin Corrosion/Irritation1A 1B 1C 2 3

Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

1 2A 2B

Respiratory or Skin Sensitisation1 1A 1B

Germ Cell Mutagenicity1A 1B 2

Carcinogenicity1A 1B 2

Reproductive Toxicity - Fertility1A 1B 2 Lactation

Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure

1 2 3

Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure

1 2

Aspiration hazard1 2

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Environmental Hazards

Hazard Class Hazard Category

Aquatic toxicity, acute 1 2 3

Aquatic toxicity, chronic 1 2 3 4

Hazardous to the ozone layer 1

Mixture Classification

Where test data are available for the complete mixture, the classification will generally be based on that data.

Where test data are not available for the mixture itself, then bridging principles included and explained in each specific chapter should be considered to see whether they permit classification of the mixture. Bridging principles allow extrapolation of data from similar mixtures to perform classifications of untested mixtures.

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Mixture Classification, cont.

In addition, for health and environmental hazards:

If (i) test data are not available for the mixture itself, and (ii) the available information is not sufficient to allow application of the above mentioned bridging principles, then the agreed method(s) described in each chapter for estimating the hazards based on the information known will be applied to classify the mixture.

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Lesson 2: Hazard communication


The purpose of hazard communication in the GHS

The core label elements on a GHS label

How to read a label and find the GHS information

How to identify the elements of a safety data sheet (SDS) in the GHS

How to find information in a GHS SDS

How confidential business information is addressed in the GHS

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Hazard communication tools

Once the hazards are identified in the classification process, the information must be provided to:

Downstream users and handlers

Professionals providing services or designing protective measures for those exposed

Information provided must be accurate, comprehensive, and provided in an understandable manner

Information tools and needs may vary by sector

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Comprehensibility principles

Information should be conveyed in more than one way.

Comprehensibility should consider the findings of existing studies and data.

Phrases indicating degree of hazard should be consistent across different hazard types.

Words and phrases should retain comprehensibility when translated into other languages.

Format and color of the label elements and SDS format should be standardized.

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Tools available

Labelling/Placards

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)/Transport Documents

Training

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Tools available by sector

Workplace/industrial sector: labels, SDSs, specific training

Agriculture/pesticides: labels, specific training, SDSs in some situations

Consumers: labels

Emergency responders: labels, placards, specific training, transport documents

Transport: labels, placards, transport documents, specific training

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Hazard vs. risk communication

GHS is a hazard communication system—the information is provided on the basis of the intrinsic properties of the chemical

It is difficult for suppliers to fully understand the exposures that may be generated by their users

The information provided should lead to risk mitigation—having hazard information allows users to choose appropriate protective measures

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Confidential business information

The GHS recognizes that there is legitimate confidential business information regarding chemicals, and that there is a legitimate safety and health need for disclosure of that information in some situations

The GHS provides principles regarding CBI that countries should follow when addressing this issue

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CBI Principles

Limit to chemical names/concentrations

Indicate information has been withheld

Disclose CBI to competent authority on request

Disclose to medical professionals in emergencies

Non-emergency disclosure should be done where there is a need and a means to protect confidentiality

Process for challenges to disclosure

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Understand and read GHS labels

Harmonised label elements:

Symbol/pictogram

Signal word

Hazard statement(s)

Other core information to be provided

Product identifier

Supplier identification

Precautionary statement(s)

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Allocation of label elements64

Product Identifier

Identity of Hazardous Ingredients

Pictogram (Symbol in Red Frame)

Signal Word (Warning)

Hazard Statement(s) (Harmful if inhaled)

Precautionary Statement(s) (Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area)

Name and Address of Company

Phone Number

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GHS Pictograms and Hazard Classes

• Oxidizers

• Flammables • Self-reactives • Pyrophorics • Self-heating • Emits flammable gas • Organic peroxides

• Explosives (1.1-1.4) • Self-reactives • Organic peroxides

• Acute toxicity (severe)

• Corrosive to metals • Skin corrosion • Serious eye damage

• Gases under pressure

• Carcinogenicity • Respiratory

sensitization • Toxic to reproduction • Specific target organ

toxicity (repeated) • Germ cell

mutagenicity • Aspiration hazard

• Aquatic toxicity (acute)

• Aquatic toxicity (chronic)

• Acute toxicity (harmful)

• Skin/eye irritation • Skin sensitization • Specific target organ

toxicity (single) • Hazardous to the

ozone layer

Signal words

Signal words serve two purposes in the GHS:

Get the attention of the label reader

Indicate the severity of the hazard

There are two signal words in the GHS

Danger

Warning

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Hazard statements

Describe the hazards covered by the GHS

Indicate the degree of severity of the hazard

Text of the statements has been harmonised

Harmonised statements are assigned to each hazard class and category, and have been codified (a numbering system has been applied to them for ease of reference)

Example: H318 Causes serious eye damage.

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Allocation of harmonised label elements

The GHS includes an appendix which specifies the harmonised label elements for each hazard class and category:

Pictogram

Signal word

Hazard statement

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Other required information

Precautionary statements are required. The GHS includes possible statements, but they have not yet been harmonised

There are 5 types of statements: General, Prevention, Response, Storage, and Disposal

These have been assigned to hazard classes and categories, and codified (numbered).

Example: P280 Wear eye protection/face protection.

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Precautionary pictograms

Some systems may choose to illustrate precautionary information using pictograms. These are not harmonised in the GHS.

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Product and supplier identification

Chemical identity required for substances

For mixtures either:

All the ingredients contributing to the hazard of the mixture/alloy, or

All the ingredients contributing to any health hazards presented by the product other than irritation and aspiration

Supplier identification required on all labels, including name, address, and phone number

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Other label provisions

Supplementary information may also be required or permitted by competent authorities to provide other items such as directions for use

Competent authorities should also specify how often labels are to be updated

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GHS Label 75

ToxiFlam (Contains XYZ Hazardous

Ingredients)

Toxic if SwallowedHighly Flammable Liquid and

Vapour

IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a Poison Control Center or physician.

Rinse mouth.

Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco when using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves and eye/face

protection.

Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame. No

smoking. Ground containers and receiving equipment. Use explosion-

proof electrical equipment. Take precautionary measures against static

discharge. Use only non-sparking tools. Store in cool/well-ventilated place.

In case of fire, use water fog, dry

chemical, carbon dioxide or “alcohol” foam.

ToxiFlam Manufacturing Company Route 66, MyTown, TX 00000 1 555 666 8888

Combination GHS/transport label 76

ToxiFlam Contains XYZ

FLAMMABLE LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S. UN 1992

Danger

Toxic if Swallowed Highly Flammable Liquid and Vapour

Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco when using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection. Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. No smoking. Ground container and receiving equipment. Use explosion-proof electrical equipment. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Use only non-sparking tools. Store in cool/well-ventilated place. IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a Poison Control Center or physician. Rinse mouth. See Safety Data Sheet for further details regarding safe use of this product.

ToxiFlam Manufacturing Company, Route 66, MyTown, TX 00000

Phone: 1 555 666 8888

Workplace labeling 77

GHS safety data sheet

Comprehensive sources of information about substances and mixtures

Provides information about the hazards, but also information to establish risk management programs

Audiences for the 16 sections vary, but include workers, safety engineers, physicians, and other professionals providing protection to exposed people

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SDS

16 sections specified in a given order of information

Information in the beginning sections have a broad audience

More detailed, technical information included in following sections

Required for substances/mixtures meeting criteria; mixtures containing chronic hazards above cut-offs; and unclassified substances or mixtures as required by competent authorities

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Minimum SDS Information by Section 80

1. Identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier

GHS product identifier. Other means of identification. Recommended use of the chemical and

restrictions on use. Supplier’s details (including name,

address, phone number, etc.). Emergency phone number.

2. Hazards identification GHS classification of the substance/mixture and any national or regional information.

GHS label elements, including precautionary statements. (Hazard symbols may be provided as a graphical reproduction of the symbols in black and white or the name of the symbol, e.g., flame, skull and crossbones.).

Other hazards which do not result in classification (e.g., dust explosion hazard) or are not covered by the GHS.

3. Composition/information on ingredients

Substance

Chemical identity. Common name, synonyms, etc. CAS number and other unique identifiers. Impurities and stabilizing additives which

are themselves classified and which contribute to the classification of the substance.

Mixture

The chemical identity and concentration or concentration ranges of all ingredients which are hazardous within the meaning of the GHS and are present above their cut-off levels.

NOTE: For information on ingredients, competent authority rules for CBI , if applicable, take priority over the rules for product identification.

4. First aid measures Description of necessary measures, subdivided according to the different routes of exposure, i.e., inhalation, skin and eye contact, and ingestion.

Most important symptoms/effects, acute and

Minimum SDS Information by Section cont. 81

5. Fire fighting measures Suitable (and unsuitable) extinguishing media.

Specific hazards arising from the chemical (e.g., nature of any hazardous combustion products).

Special protective equipment and precautions for fire-fighters.

6.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures.

Environmental precautions. Methods and materials for containment and

cleaning up.

7. Handling and storage Precautions for safe handling. Conditions for safe storage, including any

incompatibilities.

8.

Exposure controls/ personal protection.

Control parameters, e.g., occupational exposure limit values or biological limit values.

Appropriate engineering controls. Individual protection measures, such as

personal protective equipment.

9. Physical and chemical properties

Appearance (physical state, colour, etc.). Odour. Odour threshold. pH. Melting point/freezing point. Initial boiling point and boiling range. Flash point. Evaporation rate. Flammability (solid, gas). Upper/lower flammability or explosive

limits. Vapour pressure. Vapour density. Relative density. Solubility(ies). Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water. Auto-ignition temperature. Decomposition temperature. Viscosity.


10. Stability and reactivity Reactivity. Chemical stability. Possibility of hazardous reactions. Conditions to avoid (e.g., static discharge,

shock or vibration). Incompatible materials. Hazardous decomposition products.

11. Toxicological information Concise but complete and comprehensible description of the various toxicological (health) effects and the available data used to identify those effects, including:

Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact).

Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics.

Delayed and immediate effects and also chronic effects from short- and long-term exposure.

Numerical measures of toxicity (such as acute toxicity estimates).

12. Ecological information Ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial, where available).

Persistence and degradability. Bioaccumulative potential. Mobility in soil. Other adverse effects.

13. Disposal considerations Description of waste residues and information on their safe handling and methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated packaging.


14. Transport information UN Number. UN Proper shipping name. Transport Hazard class(es). Packing group, if applicable. Environmental hazards (e.g., Marine

pollutant (Yes/No)). Transport in bulk (according to Annex II of

MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code). Special precautions which a user needs to be

aware of or needs to comply with in connection with transport or conveyance either within or outside their premises.

15. Regulatory information Safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the product in question.

16. Other information including information on preparation and revision of the SDS

Chapter 3

Other Issues Related to Implementation

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UNITAR Steps to Implementation

UNITAR has identified the following outcomes as leading to a successful implementation process:

Multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration

Situation and gap analysis

Awareness raising and training

National GHS-implementing legislation

Sectoral implementation plans

High-level endorsement of a National GHS Implementation Strategy (“road map” for future activities)

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UNITAR/ILO Approach for GHS Implementation 86

Participatory Process

Questions to consider re: stakeholder involvement:

What types of groups are relevant?

What is the nature of participation by business and industry, and civil society”

What types of resources are available to support involvement?

How will lead organizations/points of contact be identified?

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Types of Activities to Involve Stakeholders

Information and awareness raising meetings

Industry or civil society-specific workshops

Training and information-sharing

Committees

Review/comment on draft policies/legislation

Develop networking and alliances

Involvement in the UN Subcommittee of Experts on GHS

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Legislative options

Depends on a number of factors:

Existing industrial infrastructure

Legal frameworks

Implementation capacity

UNITAR Guidance Document: Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy (2010)

89

Common Implementation Issues

GHS Building Block approach and its application vs. international harmonisation for each sector

Need to improve “harmonisation” of implementation as an on-going process (e.g. consultation with trading partners, transition times, regional coordination, sharing experience, etc.)

Countries need to recognize that to be harmonised, they must give up some of their existing requirements while maintaining overall protections

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Contacts

Training and Capacity Building Programmes in Chemicals and Waste ManagementUNITARPalais des NationsCH-1211 Geneva 10Switzerland

Fax: + 41 22 917 8047Email: [email protected]: www2.unitar.org/cwg

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mailto:[email protected]


Contacts

Orange House Partnership npo/VZW

Postal address: Kampendaal 83, 1653 Dworp (Brussels), Belgium

Visiting address: Rond Point Schuman 9, 6th floor, 1040 Brussels, BelgiumTel: +32 23045903

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.orangeOhouse.eu

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http://www.orangeohouse.eu/

Photo Credits

UNITAR (Zambian chemical worker)

US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (chemical incidents)

US Environmental Protection Agency (heavy equipment operation)

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August 2011

Documents

Transcript of August 2011