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Global Status of GHS Presented by Paula Laux Senior Regulatory Specialist Wercs Professional Services. Why was GHS developed?. So that a system exists where hazards are identically communicated to all those exposed. Why was GHS developed?.
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Global Status of GHSPresented by Paula LauxSenior Regulatory SpecialistWercs Professional Services
Why was GHS developed? So that a system exists where hazards are identically communicated to all those exposed
Why was GHS developed? • Today same product requires multiple MSDSs and labels in international trade • Today there are different classification schemes between Environmental, Industrial, Transportation, and Consumer sector - even in same country • Today the same substance/preparation requires different warnings based on jurisdiction
Who is the target audience? • Governments • Companies • Workers • Emergency Responders • Member of the Public • Consumers
What types of Chemicals are Regulated? Hazardous Chemicals • Substances • Products • Mixtures • Pesticides • Consumers Products
What is GHS? Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling • Defines health, physical and environmental hazards • Establishes classification scheme using available data • Establishes a common hazard communication method • Explains how to apply the system • Supplies building blocks for countries to develop own laws
Published Guidance documents • Published by the United Nation Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) • First publication in 2003 • Revision 1 edition published in 2005 • Referred to as “UN Purple Book”
What GHS Isn’t? A regulation or a standard… • Not mandated until it becomes law in a given region • May require various regulatory authorities within region to pass laws
General Implementation Guidelines • GHS: Voluntary international document- not binding treaty • When countries adopt GHS into their systems, there will be binding regulatory changes for industry • No international implementation schedule • Different systems/sectors require different time frames for GHS implementation *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Canada Implementation • Looking for harmonization between NAFTA countries • Sectors WHMIS, Consumer Chemical, Pesticide control, and Transportation • Published, “Comparison of Sector Interim Recommendations or Preferred Options” (Feb, 2006) • Next steps: Consultation with trading partners; Economic analysis, Development of final recommendations, Decision making, Draft regulations, Regulatory process, Phasing in implementation • May revisit based on US and Mexican work. *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
EU Implementation • As per REACH, GHS SDS formats required already June 1, 2007 • Sections 2/3 should be inverted • Transition period for GHS implementation 3 years for substances, 7-8 years for mixtures • Will require extended SDS for certain material with varying phase-in period *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Japan Implementation • GHS labeling of ISHL (Industrial Safety and Health Law) 1-Dec-2006 • GHS labeling technically applies to only 99 of the denoted ISHL materials • GHS classification manual does exist in English • 1500 GHS classification of chemicals regulated in Japan • Industrial labeling and SDS system based on GHS • Have approved risk based labeling for consumer products (Not consistent with GHS) *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Other Asia-Pacific Countries • Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, LAO, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman Philippines, QATAR, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen • 20/23 Countries have plans to implement GHS • Several (New Zealand, Bahrain, & Mauritius) countries have already adopted GHS *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Other Asia-Pacific CountriesNew Zealand • GHS has been adopted in a legislative sense (GHS 2003) • Revisions based on 2005 GHS (rev 1) expected in 2007 • Implementation not planned before 2008 • List of GHS classified chemicals • Labeling being handled separately in order to align with major trading partner. (2010) *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Other Asia-Pacific CountriesAustralia • GHS MSDS format was effective April 2006 • GHS classification proposal- Addresses only workplace • Draft National Standard for the Control of Workplace Hazardous chemicals Transition period: 5 years for SDS No intent to use GHS mixtures rule Want to address a revised GHS hazardous substances list • Intent to make draft for labeling of Workplace Chemicals and Preparation of SDSs as well *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
USA ImplementationDOT • For harmonization of transportation (US DOT) voluntary compliance is now authorized, the provisions become mandatory on 1-Jan-2008 • Exception to above for Division 3 and 6.1- old packing groups can be used until 1-Jan-2012 • Environmentally hazardous substances will be considered for change in a separate rulemaking proceeding *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
USA ImplementationOSHA • Under a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (12-Sept-2006) OSHA considered modifying HCS to include: Changing criteria for classifying health & physical hazards Adopting standardized labeling requirements Requiring a standardized order of information for MSDS • Final Rule anticipated at the end of 2008 *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
USA ImplementationOther Agencies • EPA/FIFRA: Federal Register 25-Aug-2004 (situational analysis and white paper) Stakeholder meeting 19-Oct-2006 • CPSC: Beginning work on situation analysis Current regulation includes consideration of risk, but not environmental endpoints. *Summary of Slide Provide by Michelle Sullivan
Best Source Of Implementation Information www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/implementation_e.html
Comparison of various regulations and pieces of GHS classification accepted*Compiled from multiple slides prepared by Michelle Sullivan, Ph.D
Comparison of various regulations and pieces of GHS classification accepted*Compiled from multiple slides prepared by Michelle Sullivan, Ph.D
Why was GHS developed? So that a system exists where hazards are identically communicated to all those exposed
Other Challenges • Ingredient Disclosure (Purple book leaves it Competent Authority) • Additional Country Specific information that is outside classification • Labeling (especially for Consumer Products that have been historically risk based)
Global Status of GHS Questions/Comments?
Global Status of GHSContact Information:Paula LauxSenior Regulatory SpecialistWercs Professional Services518 256-6774paulal@thewercs.com