80 likes | 291 Views
An Overview of GHS The G lobally H armonized S ystem (of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals). Louisa M. Stevenson MSDS pro , LLC. (503) 387-3841 September 2, 2010. GHS: Setting the Objective of Harmonization. Its Focus:
E N D
An Overview of GHSThe Globally Harmonized System (of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) Louisa M. Stevenson MSDSpro, LLC. (503) 387-3841 September 2, 2010
GHS: Setting the Objective of Harmonization • Its Focus: • the classification of chemicals bythe types of hazards they present • Its Purpose: • to standardize the classification andlabeling of chemicals worldwide • proposed by the United Nations toall countries • to protect the workers and the environmentfrom chemical hazards • Its Impact: • Opens the gate for international commerce • Specifically eases the import-export of chemicals
GHS: History andCurrent Status • Discussions first started at Rio Summit in 1992(First edition 2003, now in its third revision) • Worldwide agreement planned for the Y2K to get a harmonized chemical classification and labelling system in place • Adopted separately by individual countriesand continents • Current status: 65 countries have either already adopted (or will adopt) GHS • 2007: Japan • 2009: Europe (January 20th) • December 2010 - Substances • December 2015 - Mixtures
GHS: ImplementationTimeframe • North America • Canada • January 2010 - Plan expected • December 2013 - Three year transition period • United States • OSHA released the CFR Parts1910, 1915, and 1926 as of September 30, 2009 • Other Countries • 2010 – 2015 Adoption Timeframe
GHS: Identifying Hazards • Set of criteria to identify hazards of chemicals, including: • Physical Hazards(New criteria: FP 23C, 60C, 93.3C over 4 categories) • Flammable; Explosive • Chemical Hazards • Oxidization; Polymerization(New criteria: 3 sub-classes for liquids only) • Health Hazards • Acute toxicity (lethal doses) • Chronic toxicity (cancer, long-term target organ effects) • Environmental Hazards(New: Acute category 1, 2, 3 and chronic category 1, 2, 3, 4) • Effect on animals and plants • Effect on aquatic fauna and flora
GHS: Hazards Assessment • Set of criteria to identify hazards of chemicals, covering: • Physical and Chemical Hazards • (16) Classes • Multiple sub-classes • Health Hazards • (10) Acute and Chronic Hazards • Multiple sub-classes • Environmental Hazards • Acute and Chronic Toxicity • Several related concepts • Bioaccumulation • Persistence, etc.
GHS: Communicating Hazardsand Protective Measures • Material Safety Data Sheet (16 sections) • Similar to the latest versions of the ANSI and EU format • Label • Contains mandatory statements based on final hazard classification • Variation on label content with hazard type and hazard level • Sometimes no symbol • Sometimes no signal word • Set of 9 hazard symbols
Please contact me directlywith any questions.Thank you! Louisa M. Stevenson MSDSpro, LLC. 503-387-341 http://www.MSDSpro.com http://www.MSDSprovider.com