▌Overview

GHS is short for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the International Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) adopted a resolution recommending that countries carry out international coordination on the classification and labeling of chemicals for the purpose of decreasing the harm of chemicals to human beings and the environment, and at the same time reducing the cost of chemicals trading across countries by integrating and unifying different labeling regulations. This document was adopted and officially announced by the United Nations in 2003, and requires all countries to implement GHS through legislation before 2008. The first revision was made in 2005 and updated every two years. The current version is the ninth revision in 2021. The main obligation to deal with global GHS is to provide SDS and labels that comply with local regulatory language and regulatory requirements.

▌Global GHS implementation

■ Countries implementing GHS regulations

■ Countries planning to implement GHS regulations

■ Countries that have not yet implemented GHS regulations

▌Obligations

Fulfill GHS compliance obligations as required according to respective national GHS regulations, and provide SDS and labels that comply with local regulatory language and requirements. 

Taking China as an example, the main GHS compliance obligations are:

(1) Hazardous chemicals shall be registered and updated in a timely manner according to the requirements of “the Regulations on the safety management of hazardous chemicals” ;

(2) Provide SDS files that comply with the GB/T 16483-2008 “Contents and Project Sequence of Safety Data Sheets for Chemicals” and GB/T 17519-2013 “Guidelines for Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Chemicals”;

(3) Provide chemical safety labels that meet the requirements of GB 15258-2009 “Provisions for Preparation of Safety Labels for Chemicals”.

▌What is SDS?

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is a comprehensive description document with 16 parts of information, including chemical composition information, physical and chemical parameters, combustion and explosion performance, toxicity, environmental hazards, safe use methods, storage conditions, leakage emergency treatment, transportation regulations, etc. provided by hazardous chemical producers or sales enterprises to customers according to legal requirements. It is also one of the necessary files containing chemical information required by laws and regulations of all countries in the world.

Chemical safety labels (partial)

▌Our services

Global SDS and label authoring and update:

◆ China GHS: GB/T 16483-2008, GB/T 17519-2013, GB 15258-2009

◆ Korean GHS: MOEL NO.2016-19, NIER NO.2014-45, NEIR NO. 2014-45

◆ Japan GHS: JIS Z 7252-2019, IS Z 7253-2019

◆ Taiwan GHS: CNS 15030

◆ Thailand GHS: B.E.2555

◆ U.S. GHS: HAZCOM 2012

◆ Canada GHS: WHIMIS 2.0

◆ EU CLP: 1907/2006/EC, article 31 (REACH)

◆ GHS of other countries