GHS Legislation

GHS or the Globally Harmonized System of classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures was initiated at the UN Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It aims, amongst other goals, to harmonize the classification and the hazard communication elements of chemicals (labeling and safety data sheets). The first version became available in 2003 in the form of the so called purple book (compared to the orange book for transportation). Regular updates should take place every 2 years. GHS harmonizes most classification criteria for supply and transportation and is based on the intrinsic properties of substances. GHS allows individual countries or regions to implement building blocks at their own discretion. The building blocks, however, may not be altered. Additionally there is room for Competent Authority Options and special limits for the communication of components in mixtures.

In the APAC area Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand implemented GHS and Korea has extended the transition period to 2010/11. The EU has adopted GHS in 2008, and it has be applied since January 20, 2009. The deadline for implementation is Dec 1, 2010 for substances and June 1, 2015 for mixtures. Major countries such as the US and China have not yet published any firm implementation schedule.

UN Web-Site: Status of implementation
UN Web-Site: english version
UN Web-Site: french version
UN Web-Site: spanish version
UN Web-Site: russian version
UN Web-Site: chinese version
UN Web-Site: arabic version
EU Web-Site: CLP-GHS