Introduction to the Globally Harmonized System Check the Chemicals Hazard

1. The GHSThe Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Basic Course

2. Outline1. Concept of the GHS 2. Hazard Classification 2.1 Physical Hazard Classification 2.2 Health and Environment Hazard Classification 3. Labels and SDS4. Situation of Chemical Management in Thailand

3. 1. Concept of the GHS

4. The GHS - An Overview • Introduction • What is the GHS? Why is it needed? • The Element of GHS - Hazard Classification - Working Definition - Hazard communication / Labels /SDS • Maintenance of the GHS • Implementation • Conclusion

5. Introduction The production and use of chemicals is fundamental in the economic development of all countries and, at the same time, it may pose a risk to the health and well-being of all people and the environment if not managed in a responsible manner.

6. Introduction (cont.) The primary objective of hazard classification and communication system is to provide information to protect health and the environment. “More than 23 million chemicals in the world” “1.1 million died by occupational accidents or diseases in a year, One fourth of them caused by chemicals”

7. Introduction • What is the GHS? • Why is the GHS needed? • Benefits of Harmonization • Practical Issues for Harmonization • Principles of Harmonization

8. What is the GHS ? • A common and coherent approach to defining and classifying chemical hazards, and communicating information on labels and safety data sheets. • Provides the underlying infrastructure for establishment of comprehensive national chemical safety programmes.

9. The Scope of the GHS • The GHS covers all hazardous chemical substances, dilute solutions and mixtures (preparations). • Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics and pesticide residues in food will not be covered at the point of intentional intake but will be covered where workers may be exposed and in transport.

10. Why is the GHS needed? • There are benefits from chemicals but also potential adverse effects. • No country has the ability to identify and specifically regulate every hazardous chemical product. • Objectives of existing systems are broadly the same but differences result in different labels and SDS’s in different countries.

11. For example… • Prior to this harmonization effort, one of the cut-offs the EU had for acute toxicity was 200 mg/kg (oral), while some systems in Canada used 500 mg/kg for the same cut-off. • All chemicals between 200 and 500 mg/kg were therefore labelled differently as a result.

12. Why is the GHS needed?(cont.) • Protection: Users in countries that don’t have specific requirements may see different label warnings or data sheet information for the same chemical. • Trade : The need to comply with multiple regulations on hazard classification and labelling is costly and time-consuming with no HSE benefit.

13. Benefits of Harmonisation • Enhance protection of humans and the environment • Assist countries and international organizations in the sound management of chemicals • Improved consistency and comprehensibility of information • Reduce need for testing and evaluation. • Enable chemicals management systems to be put in place - capacity building

14. History of GHS • In 1989-90, ILO developed and adopted a convention (170) and recommendation (177) on Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work. • United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) took place in 1992 in Brazil. • Established 6 programme areas in Chapter 19, Agenda 21, to strengthen national and international efforts related to the environmentally sound management of chemicals.

15. Specific Mandate “A globally-harmonised hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000.”

16. Practical Issues for Harmonization • Many countries address classification and labelling for at least some chemicals in their countries • Transportation issues have been globally harmonized for years • Many countries follow international recommendations for pesticides • Many international organizations have some role in chemical classification and labelling, and none cover all aspects

17. Major Existing Systems • UN Transport Recommendations • European Union (EU) Directives on Dangerous Substances and Preparations • US Requirements for Workplace, Consumers and Pesticides • Canadian Requirements for Workplace, Consumers and Pesticides

18. Principles of Harmonization • The scope includes both hazard classification criteria and hazard communication tools (e.g. labels, SDSs). • The level of protection should not be reduced as a result of harmonization. • The GHS does not include requirements for testing (‘test neutral’). • Target audiences include consumers, workers, transport workers and emergency responders.

19. Some principles of the harmonized classification system • based on hazards - intrinsic properties • available data will be applied to classification of substances and mixtures • covers the needs of various end-users • “building blockapproach” • classification as a basis for hazard communication and other down-stream consequences

20. Hazard Classification - Physical Hazards - Health and Environment Hazards • Working Definition - Substance - Mixture • Hazard Communication - Consideration - Labels - SDS The Elements of the GHS

21. Hazards covered by the harmonized criteria • Physical hazards • Explosives • Flammable substance • Self-reactive substance • Oxidizing substance • Organic peroxide • Pyrophoric and self-heating substance • Compressed gas • Corrosive to metal

22. Hazards covered by the harmonized criteria (cont.) • Health hazards • acute toxicity • skin corrosion/irritation • serious eye damage/ eye irritation • respiratory or skin sensitization • germ cell mutagenicity • reproductive toxicity • carcinogenicity • specific target organ systemic toxicity (TOST)

23. Hazards covered by the harmonized criteria (cont.) Environmental hazards • Hazardous to the aquatic environment

24. The GHS: Hazard Communication Two elements: • Labels • Safety Data Sheets

25. The GHS: Hazard CommunicationConsiderations The needs of the different sectorscovered by the GHS vary considerably: • Workplace • Consumers • Transport • Emergency responders

26. Key Label Elements Product identifier Supplier identifier Chemical identity Hazard pictograms (shape and symbol)* Signal words* Hazard statements* Precautionary information *Standardized

27. EPICHLOROHYDRIN Example of label component

28. Transport pictograms

29. GHS Pictogram Flammable substance Self-reactive substance Pyrophoric and self- heating substance Explosives Self-reactive subst. Organic peroxide Oxidizing substance Organic peroxides Compressed gas Sensitization (Respiratory) Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive toxicity Target organ toxicity Skin corr./irrit. Eye corr./irrit. Corrosive to metal Acute toxicity Acute toxicity Skin corr./irrit. Eye corr./irrit. Sensitization (Dermal) Environmental toxicity

30. The GHS: Label ElementsSignal Words “Danger” or “Warning” • Used to emphasize hazard and discriminate between levels of hazard

31. The GHS: Label ElementsHazard Statements • A single harmonized hazard statement for each category of hazard within each hazard class • Example: Flammable liquids • Category 1: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour • Category 2: Highly flammable liquid and vapour • Category 3: Flammable liquid and vapour • Category 4: Combustible liquid

32. The GHS: SDS Role of the SDS in the GHS • To provide comprehensive information about a chemical substance or mixture • To use as a source of information about hazards and to obtain advice on safety precautions and risk management • To enable the employer to develop an active programme of worker protection measures • To use in the transport of dangerous goods and by emergency responders

33. The GHS: SDS When is an SDS required? • An SDS should be produced for all substances and mixtures which meet the harmonized criteria for physical, health or environmental hazards under the GHS • For all mixtures which contain substances that meet the criteria forcarcinogens, toxic to reproduction, or TOST in concentrations exceeding the cut-off limits specified by the criteria for mixtures

34. The GHS: SDSFormat: 16 headings 1. Identification 2. Hazard(s) identification (NB new order) 3. Composition/information on ingredients 4. First-aid measures 5. Fire-fighting measures 6. Accidental release measures 7. Handling and storage 8. Exposure control/personal protection

35. The GHS: SDS Format: 16 headings (cont) 9. Physical and chemical properties 10. Stability and reactivity 11. Toxicological information 12. Ecological information 13. Disposal considerations 14. Transport information 15. Regulatory information 16. Other information

36. Maintenance of the GHS • ECOSOC has international responsibility and oversight of the GHS. • UN Committee of Experts for TDG and GHS is responsible for strategic issues rather than technical issues. • UNSEGHSis responsible to implement,update,promote understanding and use of the GHS and to encourage feedback, make the GHS available for worldwide use and application, etc.

37. Implementation • The Intergovernmental Forum (III) for Chemical Safety has recommended: “All countries are encouraged to implement the GHS as soon as possible with a view to have the system fully operational by 2008.” • UN Committee of Experts for TDG and GHS adopted the GHS document in December 2002. • ECOSOC adopted the GHS in early 2003.

38. Tools for Implementation • GHS document • UNITAR guidance document • Documentation from countries with an existing system • Experience from other countries implementing the GHS • Other technical assistance tools to be developed

39. Conclusion • The GHS will provide all countries with a structure to classify and label hazardous chemicals. It will help ensure that coherent information is provided on all imported and exported chemicals worldwide. • This information will form the basis of systems for the sound management of chemicals worldwide.

40. Conclusion (cont.) • Development of the GHS has been a difficult and long-term process. The work that has been completed has required much discussion and compromise. • Hopefully, the system will be widely applied, and significant benefits to human health and the environment will be the result of that application.