More specifically, ghs is an acronym for globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs eighth revised edition. Globally harmonized system purple book 8th edition. The 8th revised edition of ghs known as ghs rev 8 was recently published in july 2019. The subcommittee of experts on the globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labelling of chemicals has just finished its latest twoyear work programme. Unless otherwise specified, all references to the parts, chapters, sections, annexes, paragraphs, etc. Like the hazard communication standard, the globally harmonized system requires manufacturers of potentially hazardous chemicals to create a written document providing important information about the chemicals, their hazards and how to handle them safely. The globally harmonized system allows local authorities some leeway in how they adopt the ghs. Osha website hazard communication harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs third edition the purple book hazard communication directive cpl 0202079 rev 72018 the information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial. Osha adopted the ghs framework in north america in march 2012 with an objective for hazard communication to develop a harmonized hazard communication system including labeling and safety data sheets sdss based on ghs classification criteria. The ghs provides criteria for the classification of physical hazards e.
The globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is a chemical hazard communication system between chemical suppliers and chemical users through labelling of containers and provision of safety data sheets sds. The workplace hazardous materials information system whmis which provides canadas workplace chemicals hazard communication system recently published its proposed hazardous products regulations and canadas ghs adoption in the canada gazette. Globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labeling of substances and mixtures hanford hazard container labels ghs statements legend h2xx physical hazard p2xx precautionary prevention h3xx health hazard p3xx precautionary response. Subsequent editions of this guide may be updated in view of ongoing revisions to the ghs purple book.
Spanish language regardless of where the chemical product is manufactured. In feb 2017, the committee of experts on tdg and ghs of the unece already published a separate report on the agreed amendments to the 6th revised edition of. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs chemicals, through the different steps from their production to their handling, transport and use, are a real danger for human health and the environment. Help ensure safety and compliance when you rely on the globally harmonized system purple book. This new 8th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs contains comprehensive information on what governments have adopted as a single, globally harmonized system that is able to protect people from the mismanagement of chemicals, classify. To view and download the electronic version of the 6th revised edition of the ghs click on the icon below. The globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labelling of chemicals, including safety data sheets sdss, was adopted by the united nations in december 2002.
The united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals, also known as ghs, is neither a regulation nor a standard. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs has been developed through cooperation between the international labour office ilo, the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd and the united nations on the basis of a mandate given in agen. System ghs of classification and labelling of chemicals. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs spanish language sixth revised edition. In the most basic of terms, ghs is the revised hazard communication program adopted by the occupation safety and health administration osha. It is a system that provides the basis for individual countries to create ghs regulations that are compatible on a. The purple book is revised on a regular basis to incorporate agreed changes and updates to the ghs. Countries, international organizations, chemical producers and users can all benefit from the harmonization of hazard communications. The ghs is necessary due to the multitude of diverse systems of. It provides the basis for worldwide harmonization of rules and regulations on chemicals and aims at enhancing the protection of human health and the environment during their handling. The globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labeling of chemicals focuses on the classification of chemicals by the types of hazards that they present. Its also good for any business impacted by ghs to understand the changes as well.
Osha does not regulate the environmental effects of chemicals sds sections 12 nor the transportation requirements sds section 14. Core elements of the ghs include standardized hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and. Osha hazcom 2012 compared with ghs purple book chemical. International programs occupational safety and health. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is the culmination of more than a decade of work. The electronic version is expected later this summer. Ghs is primarily concerned with the classification of chemicals and the communication of hazards related to those chemicals to users of the products downstream via warning labels and safety data sheets. All companies must now be compliant with ghs in the united states. The purpose of this document is to describe the united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs, why it was developed, and how it relates. Globally harmonized system occupational safety and health. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling. The purple book is the official guiding document for the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs. The globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs will go into effect soon. United nations economic commission for europe sustainable development goals english francais espanol.
Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of. Part 5 of this annex deals with the hazard class hazardous for the ozone layer and is part of. It will establish new rules for hazardous chemicals in transportation, workplace use and consumer use, as well as special rules for pesticides. The united nations economic commission for europe unece recently published the seventh revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs. The ghs refers to the use of a common method of classifying and labelling of hazardous chemicals. Protect human health and the environment by providing an international system for hazard communication. Ghs the new system for the classification and labeling of. Therefore, countries adopting ghs have to issue their own regulations or standards to implement ghs criteria and provisions. On june 12, 2019, the committee of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals of the unece made available the 8 th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs in print. United nations institute for training and research unitar. At its ninth session 7 december 2018, the committee of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals adopted a set of amendments to the seventh revised edition of the ghs which include, inter alia. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of.
The purpose of this document is to describe the united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, why it was developed, and how it relates to the sound management of chemicals. This notice is to advise interested persons that on tuesday, november 12, 2019, osha will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 38th session of the united nations sub. Most of countries have adopted ghs and tdg via their. Ghs within osha general awareness for the united states 5 the globally harmonized system ghs is an international system proposed by experts under the guidance of the united nations subcommittee for ghs.
Dec 03, 2015 updated on 3 december 2015 by david wan. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs addresses classification and labelling of chemicals by types of hazards. Proposed changes include implementing the globally harmonized system of classification and. Currently, epa has its own classification and labeling system that predates ghs, which was adopted by the united nations in 2003. Globally harmonized system ghs the muchanticipated revision to the occupational safety and health administrations oshas hazard communication standard 29 code of federal regulations cfr 1910. The globally harmonized system of classification and. An office of pesticide programs opp workgroup is exploring potential options for requiring the use of ghs language on u. It also proposes standard hazard communication elements such as labels and safety data sheets. New changes in ghs revision 8 published 2019 creative. It provides framework for ghs adoption, defines the system for hazard classification, and includes guidance on labeling requirements. Part 1 is an introductory section outlining the scope, definitions and hazard communication elements of. There were many individuals involved, from a multitude of countries, international organizations, and stakeholder organizations. Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals. Globally harmonized system ghspurple book, sixth revised.
The united nations has published the 7th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, widely known as the purple book. Ghs document referred to as the purple book, shown in figure 1. Employers who have employees that work with chemicals are required to provide training on the ghs by december 1, 20. Occupational safety and health organisation for economic cooperation and development oecd. Part 2 deals with physical hazards, part 3 with health hazards and part 4 with environmental hazards. A guide to the globally harmonized system of classification. The ghs is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals. It is an international system created by united nations committee of experts on ghs, international labor organization ilo and the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd to address the classification of chemicals by types of hazards. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs. Meeting in december cw 12 december 2012, it adopted amendments to the ghs text. The full official text of the system is available on the web at. The amendments to ghs primarily address chemically unstable gases and nonflammable aerosols. Defines physical, health and environmental hazards of chemicals and harmonizes classification criteria.
Programme on ghs international labour organization ilo. Changes to expect from revision 4 of ghs chemical safety. The globally harmonized system for hazard communication. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is an internationally agreedupon standard managed by the united nations that was set up to replace the assortment of hazardous material classification and labelling schemes previously used around the world. As a voluntary international system, the ghs is not legally binding in any country. Definitions for some human health risks are updated the criteria for some flammable materials are refined precautions for disposalrecoveryrecycling of explosive materials are to be.
All amendments are prepared and officially approved by the uns committee of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals uncetdgghs. Globally harmonized system ghspurple book, seventh revised edition, english. The ghs is sometimes referred to as the purple book reflecting the purple binding of the published. These hazard classes are given options in the official ghs purple book, allowing the local. Goods orange book and classification and labelling of chemicals purple book. Ghs, an international approach to hazard communication, is intended to address classification of chemicals by types of hazard and provide a harmonized approach to documents such as labels and safety data sheets sdss. The new system, which was called globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs, addresses classification of chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. From their production to their handling, transport and use, chemicals are a real danger for human health and the environment. Ensure safety and compliance when you rely on the globally harmonized system purple book. The ghs includes criteria for the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels of. It aims at ensuring that information on physical hazards and toxicity from. Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling.
The 7th revised edition of ghs ghs rev 7 is published in july 2017. The globally harmonized system ghs of classification. Acknowledgement globally harmonised system of classification. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is a system developed by the united nations for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals globally.
This update to the hazard communication standard hcs will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. There were many individuals involved, from a multitude of. It provides the standards used to harmonize hazard classification and communication around the world. Protect human health and the environment by providing an international system.
It is an international system created by united nations committee of experts on ghs, international labor organization ilo and the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd to address the classification of chemicals by types. The transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of. To reduce unnecessary trade barriers due to different regulations in each country, to save effort and time on toxichazardous chemical evaluation, and to provide a frame for the countries who has not established the system yet. The hazard communication standard hcs is now aligned with the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs. The ghs is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals. Key countries with respect to the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling ghs final thoughts 2. While some employers may have highly hazardous chemicals that will require additional, specific training, most employers will fall into a category requiring a lesser. This new 8th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs contains comprehensive information on what governments. Globally harmonised system ghs of classification and. Ghs, an international approach to hazard communication, is intended to address classification of chemicals by types of hazard and provide a harmonized approach to documents such as labels and safety data. The publication, more commonly known as the purple book, establishes internationally agreedupon chemical hazard classifications and communication. The ghs is an acronym for the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals.
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