The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is an internationally agreedupon standard managed by the united nations that was set up to replace the assortment of hazardous material classification and labelling schemes previously used around the world. Ensure safety and compliance when you rely on the globally harmonized system purple book. Globally harmonised system of classification and labelling. Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling. The globally harmonized classification system ghs provides standards for classifying chemicals to create smoothflowing and environmentally conscious international trade. Sds is the term used by ghs for material safety data sheet msds. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is the culmination of more than a decade of work. The united nations has published the 7th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, widely known as the purple book.
This new 8th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs contains comprehensive information on what governments. It is anticipated that all existing hazard communication systems will need to be changed in order to apply the ghs. The goal of the global harmonized systems of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs initiative is to globally standardize. International programs occupational safety and health. The purpose of this webinar is to provide an update on the current rcc work plan deliverables and anticipated future guidance work. Unless otherwise specified, all references to the parts.
The ghs is an acronym for the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals. This notice is to advise interested persons that on tuesday, november 12, 2019, osha will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 38th session of the united nations sub. A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if. The ghs will use consistent criteria for classification and labeling on a global level. Examples of ghs hazard symbols with their definitions. The full official text of the system is available on the web at.
The united states was an early and active supporter of a globally harmonized approach to hazard communication. Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of. Document referred to as the purple book, shown in figure 1. It provides framework for ghs adoption, defines the system for hazard classification, and includes guidance on labeling requirements. Countries, international organizations, chemical producers and users can all benefit from the harmonization of hazard communications. A companion guide to the ghs purple book june 2010 edition understanding the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs note on the guide this june 2010 guide is based on the third revision edition 2009 of the. Like the hazard communication standard, the globally harmonized system requires manufacturers of potentially hazardous chemicals to create a written document providing important information about the chemicals, their hazards and how to handle them safely. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs addresses classification and labelling of chemicals by types of hazards. Harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs, why it was developed, and how it relates to the sound management of. The result of this negotiation process is the united nations document entitled globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals, commonly referred to as the purple book. Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system, provide a recognized framework to develop regulations for those countries without existing systems.
The purple book is the official guiding document for the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs. A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000. The globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labelling of chemicals, including safety data sheets sdss, was adopted by the united nations in december 2002. In the purple book, the details needed to use the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals are comprehensively outlined. Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs united nations on.
Core elements of the ghs include standardized hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and. September 2002 the world summit on sustainable development in johannesburg encouraged countries to implement the ghs by 2008. To view and download the electronic version of the 7th revised edition of the ghs click on the icon below. Its development began at the united nations rio conference in 1992, when the. It is an international system created by united nations committee of experts on ghs, international labor organization ilo and the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd to address the classification of chemicals by types. December 2002 the first edition of the purple book was adopted.
It is an international system created by united nations committee of experts on ghs, international labor organization ilo and the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd to address the classification of chemicals by types of hazards. Ghs is an acronym for globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals. The purple book is revised on a regular basis to incorporate agreed changes and updates to the ghs. A key feature of the alliance is to distribute information and increase awareness about the globally harmonized system. Globally harmonized system public safety wiki fandom. The globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals is a worldwide initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying chemicals according to their hazards, and communicating hazard information on easily identifiable labels and accurate safety data sheets sds. The ghs is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals. This new 8th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs contains comprehensive information on what governments have adopted as a single, globally harmonized system that is able to protect people from the mismanagement of chemicals, classify. It aims, amongst other goals, to harmonize the classification and the hazard communication elements of chemicals labeling and safety data sheets. The content in this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only. The globally harmonized system ghs is an internationally adopted system for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals that. Ghs stands for the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals. Includes established criteria for classifying hazards and for further categorizing or rating the hazards according to their relative risks.
The ghs document or purple book should be consulted for complete information on classifying mixtures. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs is a system developed by the united nations for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals globally. Dec 01, 20 the result of this negotiation process is the united nations document entitled globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals, commonly referred to as the purple book. Safety data sheet sds requirements within any regions existing system will need to be modified to be consistent with the harmonized elements of the ghs. It is a system that provides the basis for individual countries to.
Many countries already have regulatory systems in place for these types of requirements. Sep, 2017 the united nations has published the 7th revised edition of the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, widely known as the purple book. Globally harmonized system purple book 8th edition from. This handbook is adapted from the united states occupational. Ghs is an acronym for the globally harmonised system of the classification and labelling of chemicals. Hazard group while not given a formal definition, ghs divides hazards into three major groups health, physical and environmental class class is the term used to describe the different types of hazards. Defines physical, health and environmental hazards of. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling. There were many individuals involved, from a multitude of countries, international organizations, and stakeholder organizations. But alongside the benefits of these products, there is also the potential for adverse effects to people or the environment. Defines physical, health and environmental hazards of chemicals and harmonizes classification criteria. A companion guide to the ghs purple book june 2010 edition understanding the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs note on the guide this june 2010 guide is based on the third revision edition 2009 of the ghs purple book. From the purple book, the reason osha is adopting this new system.
Unless otherwise specified, all references to the parts, chapters, sections, annexes, paragraphs, etc. The ghs is a single worldwide system for classifying and communicating the. Pdf understanding the globally harmonized system of. The new system, which was called globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs, addresses classification of chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. Subsequent editions of this guide may be updated in view of ongoing revisions to the ghs purple book. Ghs, an international approach to hazard communication, is intended to address classification of chemicals by types of hazard and provide a harmonized approach to. A globallyharmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000. The ghs refers to the use of a common method of classifying and labelling of hazardous chemicals. International journal of drug regulatory affai rs internet.
It also proposes standard hazard communication elements such as labels and safety data sheets. From their production to their handling, transport and use, chemicals are a real danger for human health and the environment. This document provides harmonized classification criteria for health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals. The purple book is the united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs. Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals. Note on the guide this october 2012 guide is based on the fourth revision edition 2011 of. It is a system for standardising and harmonising the classification and handling of chemicals. As in existing systems, labels and safety data sheets are the main tools for chemical hazard communication. Globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs. The ghs is an acronym for the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals. The first version of ghs, sometimes known as the purple book, was published in 2002 and updated in 2005 and 2007. Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling todays regulatory requirements, especially after introduction of globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, are becoming a worldwide challenge for industries of any kind. The globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals or ghs is an internationally agreed upon system set to replace the various different classification and labeling standards used in different countries. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs addresses classification and labelling of chemicals by types of hazards and provides the basis for worldwide harmonization of rules and regulations used, to this end, in various sectors transport, agriculture, work.
The ghs is supposed to make the international workforce. It is anticipated that application of the ghs will. For example, gases under pressure is an example of a class in the physical hazards group. Globally harmonized system ghs the globally harmonized system ghs, a united nations initiative recently adopted by the occupational safety and health administration, will standardize the way chemicalbased hazards are communicated to workers, primarily through labeling and safety data sheets. A mandate from the 1992 united nations conference on environment and development known as the rio earth summit, recognized and agreed on the development of a globally harmonized system ghs on the classification, labeling and safe handling of chemicals. New changes in ghs revision 8 published 2019 creative. Ghs defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information on labels and safety data sheets. The globally harmonized system was created in order to replace all the multiplicity of the classification systems and introduce one unique standard which all countries will be able to follow.
Provide a recognized framework to develop regulations for those countries without existing systems. Given the expanding international market in chemical substances and mixtures, to help protect people and the environment, and to facilitate trade, the united nations has therefore developed a globally harmonised system ghs on classification and labelling. The ghs is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals. Help ensure safety and compliance when you rely on the globally harmonized system purple book. Globally harmonized system for classifying hazardous.
The united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals, also known as ghs, is neither a regulation nor a standard. United nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghsthe purple book please note. Globally harmonized system ghs of classification and. Ghs info systems the global leader in msds sds management. Understanding the globally harmonized system of class ification and labeling of chemicalsthe purple book. Globally harmonized system purple book 8th edition.
We also plan to provide an update on issues related to regulatory activities to align with the most recent version of the ghs purple book and to improve and maintain alignment between canada and the united states. At its ninth session 7 december 2018, the committee of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals adopted a set of amendments to the seventh revised edition of the ghs which include, inter alia. Ghs was developed by the united nations, as a way to bring into agreement the chemical regulations and standards of different countries. Osha announced the formation of an alliance with the society for chemical hazard communication schc. Osha website hazard communication harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs third edition the purple book hazard communication directive cpl 0202079 rev 72018 the information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals ghs. Ghsinfosystems offers comprehensive solutions for complying with the globally harmonized system ghs of classification and. The purpose of this document is to describe the united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs, why it was developed, and how it relates to the sound management of chemicals.
Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of. To keep the ghs purple book uptodate a subcommittee of experts on the globally harmonized system of classification has been established. The globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals ghs i. Once a chemical has been classified, the hazards must be communicated to target audiences. All general regulations of the ghs are described in its main document the purple book. January, 2010 the ghs is an acronym for the globally harmonized system. The globally harmonized system ghs of classification and labeling of chemicals focuses on the classification of chemicals by the types of hazards that they present.
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