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The GHSA Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Andrew Faseyandrew.fasey_at_ptkltd.com
16 November 2005 Univ of Virginia, USA
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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, CL

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Presentation

• Introduction what, benefits
• The GHS Elements
• Maintenance of the GHS
• EU Implementation

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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.

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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.

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The Scope of the GHS

• All hazardous chemical substances and mixtures.
• Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics, and
  pesticide residues in food not covered (except
  where workers may be exposed and in transport).

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Principles of Harmonisation

• The level of protection should not be reduced as
  a result of harmonisation.
• The scope includes both hazard classification
  criteria and hazard communication tools (labels,
  SDSs).
• Changes in all existing systems will be required.

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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.

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The GHS Elements

• Classification Criteria
• Health
• Environment
• Physical
• Hazard Communication
• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets

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The GHS ClassificationHealth 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 e.g. ozone depletors

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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

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The GHS Hazard Communication

• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets (i.e. MSDS)

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The GHS Hazard CommunicationConsiderations

• The needs of the different sectors covered by
  the GHS vary considerably
• Workplace
• Consumers
• Transport
• Emergency responders

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Key Label Elements

• Product identifier
• Supplier identifier
• Chemical identity
• Hazard pictograms
• Signal words
• Hazard statements
• Precautionary information
• Standardized
• Further harmonisation to follow

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The GHS Label ElementsPictogram 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.

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Transport pictograms
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GHS pictograms
!
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The GHS Label ElementsSignal Words

• Danger or Warning
• Used to emphasize hazard and discriminate between
  levels of hazard

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The GHS Label ElementsHazard 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
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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.
• Useful to other audiences as well

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Maintenance of the GHS

• The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  has international responsibility and oversight of
  the GHS.
• Parent committee responsible for GHS and TDG
• - Existing Subcommittee of Experts on TDG
  (UNSETDG)
• - New Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS
  (UNSEGHS)

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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

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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 III - operational by 2008
• WSSD, Joburg operational by 2008

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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

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Context

• GHS is voluntary
• Options etc necessary for political agreement
• Increased harmonisation over time
• Reduced ownership problems
• Living document
• Improve over time in light of experience

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EU Implementation Issues

• Existing comprehensive CL 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

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EU Implementation Issues

• Non-GHS elements
• GHSify or as now?
• Scope and building blocks
• Annex I harmonised EU list of CL for dangerous
  substances
• New EU MS
• Competence
• Commission or MS
• European Commission proposal end 2005?

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The GHS Document

• http//www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_r
  ev00/00files_e.html
• The GHS Document ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.1

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Contact

• Andrew Fasey
• andrew.fasey_at_ptkltd.com
• www.ptkltd.com