Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

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The Global Garmed Classification and Labeling System ( GHS ) is an internationally agreed standards administered by the United Nations established to replace various hazardous materials classification schemes and labeling previously used around the world. Core elements of GHS include standard hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and harmonized security data sheets that provide users with dangerous goods with some information. This system serves as a complement to the UN-regulated hazmat transportation system. Its implementation is managed through the UN Secretariat. Although adoption has taken time, by 2017, the system has been enacted for a significant extent in most countries of the world. This includes the European Union, which has applied the United Nations GHS into EU law as CLP Rules, and US Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Video Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

Histori

Before Global Harmonized Classification and Granting Systems (GHS) are created and implemented, there are many different rules about hazard classification used in different countries, resulting in standards, classifications and labels for the same hazards. Given the large international trade in chemicals and the potential impacts on neighboring countries when controls are not implemented, countries determine that worldwide approaches are needed.

The development of GHS was initiated at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also called Earth Summit (1992), when the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), various governments and other stakeholders agreed that " the globally aligned and compatible labeling system, including an easy-to-understand data security and symbol sheet, should be available if possible, by the year 2000 ".

The universal standard for all countries is to replace all the diverse classification systems; However, it has not been required under UN law. GHS provides infrastructure for participating countries to implement hazard classification and Hazard Communication Standards, which many underdeveloped economies will not have the money to create themselves. In the long run, GHS is expected to increase knowledge about the chronic health hazards of chemicals and encourage steps towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals, especially carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxics, or their replacement with less harm.

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Hazard classification

The GHS classification system is a complex system with data obtained from tests, literature, and practical experience.

The main elements of the hazard classification criteria are summarized below:

Physical hazard

The GHS approach to mixed classification for health and environmental hazards is also complex. It uses a tiered approach and depends on the amount of information available for the mix itself and for its components. The principles have been developed for mixed classification, drawing on existing systems such as the European Union (EU) system for the preparation classification set forth in Directive 1999/45/EC. The process for mixed classification is based on the following steps:

1. Where toxicological or ecotoxicological test data is available for the mixture itself, the mixed classification will be based on that data;
2. If the test data is not available for the mixture itself, then the appropriate bridging principle should be applied, which uses test data for similar components and/or mixtures;
3. If (1) the test data is not available for the mixture itself, and (2) the bridging principle can not be applied, then use the calculated or cutoff value described at the specific end point to classify the mixture.

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Testing requirements

GHS documents do not include test requirements for substances or mixtures. In fact, one of the main objectives of GHS is to reduce the need for animal testing. The GHS criteria for determining health and environmental hazards are a neutral test method, allowing different approaches as long as they are scientifically sound and validated in accordance with the procedures and international criteria already mentioned in the existing system. Test data that has been produced for the classification of chemicals under an existing system should be accepted when classifying these chemicals under GHS, thereby avoiding unnecessary testing of duplication and unnecessary animal testing. GHS physical hazard criteria related to certain UN test methods. It is assumed that the mixture will be tested for physical harm.

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Hazard communication

Per GHS, the danger needs to be communicated:

• in more than one form (for example, placard, label or SDS).
• with danger statement and prudential statement.
• in an easily understood and standardized way.
• is consistent with other statements to reduce confusion.
• taking into account all existing research and any new evidence.

Comprehensibility is challenging for one culture and language, so global harmonization is complicated. The GHS Purple Book includes a comprehensive testing instrument in Appendix 6. Factors to be considered in developing GHS communication tools include:

• Different philosophies in the system exist about how and what to communicate;
• Language differences around the world;
• Ability to translate phrases meaningfully;
• The ability to understand and respond to pictograms appropriately.

GHS label elements

The standard label elements included in GHS are:

• Symbols (GHS hazard pictograms): Present health, physical and environmental hazards information assigned to GHS class and danger categories. The pictogram includes harmonized harm symbols plus other graphical elements, such as borders, background patterns or cozers and substances that have target organ toxicities. Also, dangerous chemicals and irritants are marked with an exclamation mark, replacing the European saltire. The pictogram will have a black symbol on a white background with a red diamond frame. For transportation, the pictogram will have the background, symbols and colors currently used in the UN Recommendation on Transport of Dangerous Goods . If a transport pictogram appears, a GHS pictogram for the same danger should not appear.
• Signal word : "Hazard" or "Warning" will be used to emphasize the hazard and indicate the relative severity of the hazard, assigned to the GHS category and danger category. Some lower level hazard categories do not use signal words. Only one signal word matches the most dangerous class that should be used on the label.
• GHS hazard statement : The standard phrase defined for the hazard class and the category that describes the nature of the hazard. Appropriate statements for any GHS hazard should be included on the label for products that have more than one hazard.

Additional label elements included in the GHS are:

• GHS prudential statement : Measures to minimize or prevent side effects. There are four types of prudential statements which include: prevention, response in cases of spills or accidental exposure, storage, and disposal. Prudential statements have been linked to any GHS hazard statements and types of hazards.
• Product identifier (material disclosure): The name or number used for a malicious product on a label or on an SDS. The GHS label for a substance must include the chemical identity of the substance. For mixtures, labels should include the chemical identity of all substances that contribute to acute toxicity, corrosion of the skin or serious eye damage, mutagenisity of germ cells, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory or skin sensitization, or Systemic Organs of Systemic Organs (STOT) this appears on the label.
• Supplier identification : Name, address, and phone number must be provided on the label.
• Additional information : Unchecked information on unauthorized product containers that are not needed or determined by GHS. Additional information may be used to provide further details that are not contradictory or cause any doubt about the validity of standardized hazard information.

GHS label format

GHS includes instructions for applying hazard communication elements to labels. Specifically, it determines for each hazard, and for each class in danger, what word signals, pictograms, and hazard statements should be used. GHS hazard pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements should be placed together on the label. The actual format or layout of the label is not specified in GHS. National authorities may choose to determine where information should appear on the label or permit supplier policies. There has been discussion about the size of the GHS pictogram and that the GHS pictogram may be confusing with a transport pictogram or "diamond". The transport pictogram differs in appearance over the GHS pictogram. Appendix 7 of the Purple Book explains how the GHS pictogram is expected to be proportional to the size of the label text so that generally the GHS pictogram will be smaller than the transport pictogram.

Security data sheet

The safety data sheet or SDS (The GHS dropping the word "material" from the material safety data sheet) is specifically intended for use in the workplace. It shall provide comprehensive information on chemical products that enable employers and workers to obtain concise, relevant and accurate information in perspective on hazards, uses and risk management of chemical products in the workplace. While there are some differences in existing industry recommendations and country-specific requirements, there is agreement on 16 SDS sections to include the following titles in the order they are specified:

1. Identify
2. Hazard Identification
3. Composition/Information on Materials
4. First Aid Action
5. Fire Suppression Action
6. Accidental Release Measurement
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Control/Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. chemical stability and reactivity
11. Toxicology Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. Transport Information
15. Regulatory Information
16. Other Information

The main difference between GHS and international industry recommendations is that parts 2 and 3 have been reversed sequentially. The title, order, and content of the GHS SDS are similar to the requirements of ISO, EU, and ANSI MSDS/SDS. SDS should provide a clear description of the data used to identify hazards. A table comparing the content and format of MSDS/SDS versus SDS GHS is provided in Appendix A of the US OSH Safety and Health (OSH) Guides.

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Training

Current training procedures for Danger Communication in the United States are more detailed than GHS training recommendations. Therefore, educating employees about the classification of updated chemicals and products and related pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautions will represent the greatest training challenges. Training will be a key component of the overall GHS approach and should include information when introduced into the workplace. Employees and emergency responders need to be trained on all new program elements, from hazard statements to pictograms. Remember, if a product is imported from a country that implements GHS before the United States and Canada, employee training may have to start earlier than expected.

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Implementation

The goal of the United Nations is its broad international adoption in 2008. Since 2017, it has been adopted to various levels in almost all major countries.

Source of the article : Wikipedia