Easy implementation of ghs for classification across countries

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Easy Implementation of GHS for Classification
across Countries
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• GHS implementation is relatively simple when only
  one country is involved. American manufacturers
  and dealers of chemicals deemed hazardous in any
  degree must have a safety data sheet that
  complies with OSHA guidelines. For those
  companies involved in cross border trade, it
  becomes much more difficult unless they have
  professional help in compilation of SDS to
  various standards.
• The Globally Harmonized System of Classification
  and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) aims to ensure
  greater safety during production, storage,
  transport, handling and use of chemicals.
  Further, countries are free to implement any set
  of recommendations using the building block
  approach and they are responsible for
  implementation within their jurisdiction. This
  freedom also creates issues of standardization
  and uniformity.

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The situation is complicated by implementation of
various GHS Editions by various countries. First
released in 2005 the GHS has undergone five
revisions with the last, 6th edition of 2015 yet
to be implemented anywhere. East and West
European block, Sweden, UK, Uruguay, Zambia and
Abu Dhabi among other countries have adopted GHS
Edition 4. Argentina, Canada and Mexica have
opted for GHS edition 5. Australia, Korea,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey,
Serbia, Switzerland and the US have opted for
edition 3 while Ecuador and South Africa still
follow the 2nd edition. The EU has REACH and CLP
and is likely to adopt the 6th revision. Each
country may incorporate its own set of rules as
well. As can be seen, this situation complicates
matters for manufacturers, dealers and exporters
of chemicals. Apart from complying with local GHS
for classification, they must also comply with
the country they deal with.
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As an example, USA and Canada have clarified how
matters stand as regards GHS classification and
compliances. It has been agreed that only one
safety data sheet and label would be acceptable
in both countries as a way to keep workers
protected. There are minor changes. One is that
the SDS and labels must be in English and French.
The supplier identifier must appear on the label
and the SDS for Canadian markets and the label
must also disclose HNOC hazard element. What is
superfluous for one country will be acceptable in
the other provided their basic requirements are
met. This does simplify matters but American
exporters do need to have bilingual documents
that do not lose anything in the translation
while keeping in mind specific idiosyncrasies of
local laws of Canada. It is likely there will be
more such bilateral collaborations between
countries to truly harmonize GHS classification
and documentation.
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The current situation for American chemical
companies engaged in cross border trade is that
they must have OSHA compliant GHS SDS and must
also have a different SDS complying with the
country with which they trade. Translation is
just one aspect the company entrusted with the
GHS compliance documentation must also understand
the GHS edition in force and the specifics of
each countrys laws. Expertise and experience of
a company engaged in this field come into play
and greatly help manufacturers. The consignment
moves rapidly from source to destination with
safety for everyone in the chain and no delays
due to any compliance discrepancy.
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