GHS

What is GHS?

GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. GHS was developed by the United Nations as a way to bring into agreement the chemical regulations and standards of different countries. In short, it is an international attempt to get all countries on the same page.

Born out of the United Nations ‘Earth Summit’ of 1992, over 65 countries have already adopted, or are in the process of adopting, GHS, including the United States and Canada. GHS is primarily concerned with the classification of chemicals and the communication of hazards related to those chemicals to users of the products downstream via warning labels and safety data sheets.

GHS is not a law unto itself; rather it is a system with components countries can adopt into their own systems. In other words, HCS remains the law in the U.S., and WHMIS will continue to be the law in Canada; however, alignment with GHS changes both HCS and WHMIS in ways that have significant consequences for chemical manufacturers and employers in both countrie

GHS adoption affects everyone in the chemical lifecycle, with special responsibilities for chemical manufacturers and employers that handle, use and store hazardous materials. Chemical manufacturers must reclassify their chemicals using GHSs standardized classification criteria as well as produce GHS compliant labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). Employers must train employees on GHS (how to understand new labels and data sheets), manage the influx of new SDSs which will include replacing their entire MSDS library, and be ready to produce GHS compliant workplace labels. Also, be sure to check out our GHS / HazCom 2012 Adoption Timeline Checklist. Print it out and hang it up to track compliance your progress.

Learn more at the GHS Answer Center.

Surviving GHS Transition

Existing fines and penalties for non-compliance with HCS and WHMIS extend to GHS alignment with these same standards. In the United States, that means that HCS violations, which already rank #3 on OSHA’s Top Ten Violations List, could see even more action. And WHMIS penalties of up to $1 million in fines and two years in prison will remain a serious consideration for anyone with obligations under Canada’s hazard communication standard.

Unfortunately, complying with GHS in both the United States and Canada is not a straightforward affair. For instance, in the U.S., OSHA is allowing two years for employee training on GHS, and three years for full compliance, during which the agency has signaled it will accept adherence to either the old HCS or the revised HCS. Yet, if circumstances arise from GHS adoption in a particular workplace that affects employee safety, (e.g. trouble reading GHS labels or understanding pictograms) the employer would be expected to deal with it in the moment, regardless of how much time they had left to train and be in full compliance of GHS according to the standard

Ultimately, employers have a responsibility to keep their employees safe. For that reason, and to ensure full compliance, MSDSonline recommends companies stay in front of GHS adoption by aligning their policies and health and safety management with GHS principles at the earliest opportunity. If you are looking for an MSDS or a newly formatted GHS SDS, try our MSDS Search tool.