Thought Leadership
Harmonizing Labels Worldwide
Consistent classification and communication
of safety hazards with GHS
What is GHS?
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling
of Chemicals (GHS) is an international, standardized set of
criteria for labeling chemical containers, drums and barrels. The
goal of GHS is to consistently communicate hazard information
and safety precautions to ensure proper handling and use of
dangerous chemicals.
Why was GHS developed?
Many countries have regulations in place to classify and label
hazardous chemicals. Unfortunately, the differences in labeling
requirements around the world are so significant a single
chemical may require various classifications, labels and safety
data sheets, depending on where it’s made or transported
around the globe. Labeling variability from one country to the
next leaves room for error as chemicals are transported or
used, and creates extensive regulatory burdens on
chemical producers.
To level the playing field and ensure safe handling as
chemicals move through product life cycles and international
trade routes, the United Nations developed GHS. GHS
provides standardized criteria for labeling chemical containers,
drums and barrels to communicate hazard information and
protective measures.
While GHS itself is not a regulatory standard or testing
method, it establishes the building blocks for countries to
implement uniform labeling criteria through their own regulatory
procedures. The goal is to ensure proper handling and use of
hazardous chemicals to protect the health of people and the
environment.
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Thought Leadership
GHS classification
Adoption of GHS
The scope of GHS covers all hazardous chemicals, substances
and mixtures in all uses — production, transportation, storage,
workplace use and consumer use. The GHS does not apply to
food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
GHS uses a two-part classification to identify:
• The type of hazard (such as flammable or corrosive
to metals)
• The degree of hazard (with Category 1 being the most
severe)
GHS provides a set of standardized criteria for classifying
chemicals according to their health hazards (such as skin
irritation), physical hazards (such as flammable or corrosive) and
environmental hazards (such as harmful to the ozone layer).
Once a chemical is classified, the hazards must be
communicated through labels and safety data sheets (SDS).
Although labels may be formatted differently, GHS standardizes
six basic elements that must be represented uniformly on labels
to clearly identify hazards and communicate safety precautions.
Those six standardized elements are:
• Hazard symbols or pictograms surrounded by a red
diamond — and red diamonds cannot be left blank
• Signal words such as “danger” or “warning”
• Hazard statements such as “fatal if swallowed”
• Precautionary statements regarding storage, disposal
or handling
• Product identifier to define chemical ingredients
• Company identifier
Many American and foreign chemical manufacturers already
produce HazCom 2012/GHS-compliant labels and 16-section
SDS. GHS implementation has been widespread, impacting
countries across the globe, including many in Asia, Europe and
North America. The U.S. compliance date is set for June 2015,
although OSHA requires employees be trained by December
2013 to understand the GHS label elements and how to use
them in the workplace.
Previously, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
did not specify standard label elements, other than identifying
the company and the product, along with an appropriate
hazard warning. Now the HCS is aligned with GHS, after
revisions that amend classification criteria, SDS format, labeling
requirements such as pictograms and required employee
training.
Benefits of GHS
The GHS standards provide a common approach to classifying
chemicals and communicating safety information on labels
and data sheets. Across the globe, this harmonization benefits
the safety of everyone exposed to chemicals throughout their
production, transportation and use by:
• Increasing the quality and consistency of hazard information
for people who use or handle chemicals
• Enhancing comprehension of hazard information, resulting in
appropriate handling and usage of chemicals
• Reducing the compliance burdens and communication
costs associated with developing multiple labels and SDS
under non-standardized regulations. >
Kevin Gofron
Business Development Manager
Durable Goods
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