The extent of GHS - Globally Harmonization System
GHS - Global approach to defining and classifying danger (Globally Harmonization System)
Uniform communication to increase the protection of humans and the environment. GHS will have an effect on safety data sheets and labels and not least the way you classify!
GHS - the global classification of the future
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) - is the new global classification system which will soon be implemented within the EU (and in Denmark).
The purpose of GHS
GHS has been developed to create common criterions for classification and labelling of chemicals in all UN member countries. GHS is thus an attempt to standardize regulation and documentation across national borders.
Other purposes of GHS
> To increase the protection of humans and the environment
> To reduce the need for testing and evaluating chemicals
> To improve the conditions of international trade
GHS is not a convention but guidelines of the same character as UN's guidelines for transport of dangerous goods. This means that the guidelines just have to be met - not signed and ratified. Within the EU, GHS will be a regulation and it will be constructed so each single sector/country can chose the elements relevant to them.
GHS is based on four existing classification systems (the rules of transport of dangerous goods in the USA, Canada, the EU and the UN). When GHS was constructed it was emphasized not to lower the protection level compared to existing systems.
Flammable/explosive characteristics: The rules are to a great extent based on the rules for transport of dangerous goods and generally lead to an expansion and tightening of existing EU rules.
Danger of damage to health: The principles of classification in connection with danger of damage to health in GHS do not vary substantially from the ones in the EU system. However, for certain health effets alterations will be made in the determination of exposure limits in connection with the classification of certain categories.
Dangerous for the environment: The GHS system is strongly affected by the EU system and therefore, the two systems are quite similar.
Symbols in GHS
GHS will result in certain alterations of hazard symbols and labelling rules compared to the present EU system. Within the EU the danger symbol is today black in an orange square. In GHS the danger symbol is black on a white background in a diamond shaped figure with a red edge. In GHS the concept "signal word" is introduced which must be placed on the label of the product. The signal words are: DANGER and CAUTION. DANGER is to be used by the largest risk in connection with application.
The future with REACH and GHS
The new GHS regulation (together with REACH) is going to annul present directives of substance and preparations.
Source: The Danish Environmental Protection Agency
What is comprised by GHS?
Drugs, veterinary agents, cosmetics, pesticide residues in food, additives in food, which means non-chemical substances which are deliberately developed for ingestion.
GHS - Globally Harmonized System
The present classification will be replaced by GHS. GHS will thus also influence the shape and content of safety data sheets.
GHS is not ready yet
The authorities are still working on the regulatory framework, which means that so far no final adopted regulation is available, but it is expected to be soon (at the beginning of 2009).
You can read more about GHS here
What does the Danish Environmental Protection Agency say?
Substances must not later than 1 December 2010 be classified according to the rules in this new regulation whereas mixtures must be classified as of 1 June 2015. There is, however, a transitional period so both systems (the present classification system and GHS) can be used parallely until 2010 and 2015 respectively.
More about GHS
GHS and CLP > CLP
GHS in general > Consultancy GHS
What is GHS in brief? > The extent of GHS
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