The Globally Harmonized System Of Classification And Labeling Of Chemicals (GHS)
In the 1990s, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe embarked on a journey to design a universal chemical classification system for the entire world. It was believed that a universal chemical classification system would help to decrease the number of accidents in the workplace and home environments resulting from improper use of chemical products. It was also believed that a universal chemical classification system would decrease the cost of doing business around the world because in theory one label could be use for the same product sold in two different countries. Thus the establishment of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification And Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS (UNSCEGHS).
As noted above, the reasons for setting the objective of harmonization were many. The United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS anticipates that, when fully implemented, the GHS will:
(a) enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication;
(b) provide a recognized framework for those countries without an existing system;
(c) reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; and
(d) facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis.
IPPIC continues to send least one representative to the UNSCEGHS Meetings held twice annually in Geneva, Switzerland. At these meetings, IPPIC representatives get a chance to meet the environmental, health, and safety representatives from member countries who work on each revision of the GHS. IPPIC often submits white papers to support its member associations’ viewpoints on certain technical issues before the UNSCEGHS. Input from IPPIC representatives has been well-received by the UNSCEGHS.
Link to the Home Page for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ENECE)
Link to the Web Page for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ENECE) – About the GHS
Link to the Web Page for Status of World Wide Implementation of the GHS
Other Useful Links:
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
The European Chemicals Agency was established to
- Manage all REACH and CLP tasks by carrying out or co-coordinating the necessary activities
- Ensure a consistent implementation at Community level
- Provide Member States and the European institutions with the best possible scientific advice on questions related to the safety and the socio-economic aspects of the use of chemicals.
This is achieved by ensuring a credible decision-making process, using the best possible scientific, technical and regulatory capacities and by working independently in an efficient, transparent and consistent manner.
Link to the European Chemical Agency Home Page
The REACH Regulation
REACH is the Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007 to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU). REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to the health and the environment.
Link to the ECHA’s REACH Web site
The CLP Regulation
The CLP Regulation is the new European Regulation on Classification, Labeling and Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures. The legislation introduces throughout the EU a new system for classifying and labeling chemicals, based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (UN GHS).
CLP is about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures and how to inform others about them. It is the task of industry to establish what are the hazards of substances and mixtures before these are placed on the market, and to classify them in line with the identified hazards. In case a substance or a mixture is hazardous, it has to be labeled so that workers and consumers know about its effects before they handle it. Note that “mixture” means the same as the term “preparation” which has been used so far.
There are certain timelines for industry to classify and label their substances and mixtures in line with the CLP rules. Also, industry must notify hazardous substances and mixtures to a central inventory
Link to the timeline for implementation of the CLP and REACH:
Questions? Contact Stacey-Ann Taylor at staylor@paint.org