The Globally Harmonized System of Classification

1
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
Historical background
2
International Recognition

• In 1989-90, the International Labor Organisation
  developed and adopted a convention and
  recommendation on Safety in the Use of Chemicals
  at Work.
• Adoption of these instruments requires a country
  to have a system for hazard classification and
  labelling.

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Recognition (cont.)

• The ILO technical committee also passed a
  resolution asking the ILO to study the task
  required to achieve harmonization.
• The ILO concluded that there were four major
  existing systems that needed to be harmonized to
  achieve a global approach.

4
International Mandate

• Shortly thereafter, the United Nations Conference
  on the Environment and Development (UNCED) took
  place in 1992 in Brazil.
• Agreements endorsed by United Nations General
  Assembly.
• Established 6 programme areas to strengthen
  national and international efforts related to the
  environmentally sound management of chemicals.

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Chapter 19, Agenda 21Programme Areas

• Risk assessment.
• Harmonization of classification and labelling of
  chemicals.
• Information exchange.
• Risk reduction programmes.
• Strengthening of national chemical management
  capabilities and capacities.
• Prevention of illegal international traffic in
  toxic and dangerous products.

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Specific Mandate

• 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.
• UNCED Agenda 21, Chapter 19

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Practical Issues re Harmonization

• Many countries address classification and
  labelling for at least some chemicals in their
  countries
• Transportation issues have been globally
  harmonized for years
• Many countries follow international
  recommendations for pesticides

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Practical Issues (cont.)

• Many international organizations have some role
  in chemical classification and labeling, and none
  cover all aspects
• OECD Chemicals Programme
• ILO Chemical Safety Tools
• UN Recommendations for Transport
• FAO Recommendation on Pesticides

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How Can This Be Harmonized?

• Scope of countries/organizations was very broad.
• Expertise needed was extensive.
• In order to proceed, needed to decide
• what systems would be considered major and thus
  on the table for harmonization, and
• how could the work be divided to get the best
  expertise for different aspects?

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Major Existing Systems

• UN Transport Recommendations
• European Union (EU) Directives on Substances and
  Preparations
• Canadian Requirements for Workplace, Consumers
  and Pesticides
• US Requirements for Workplace, Consumers and
  Pesticides

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Other Systems

• While not considered major, requirements of other
  systems were examined as appropriate, and taken
  into account as proposals were developed.
• For example, a compromise cut-off on acute
  toxicity was found in the Japanese requirements.

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Process of Harmonization

• Under the umbrella of the Interorganization
  Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals
  (IOMC).
• Coordinating Group for Harmonization of Chemical
  Classification Systems (CG/HCCS) managed the
  process.
• Technical work divided among international focal
  points.

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Division of the Work

• Physical hazards The UN Experts on Transport of
  Dangerous Goods were selected as the lead for
  work on physical hazards, in cooperation with the
  ILO.
• Based on existing TDG requirements, changes were
  made to address needs of other sectors.

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Division of Work (cont.)

• Health/environmental hazards OECD was
  recognized based on their work in the area of
  testing guidelines and other chemical issues.
• This work was later expanded to include
  classification criteria for mixtures or
  preparations.

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Division of Work (cont.)

• Hazard Communication Includes label elements
  and information on material safety data sheets.
• ILO has a long history in this area, and was
  selected to be the lead in this work.

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The System Itself

• While the technical work was assigned to the
  three technical focal points, compilation of the
  technical work into the System or GHS was
  assigned to the IOMC Coordinating Group.
• The GHS Document integrates the completed
  technical work of the three focal points with
  explanatory information (The Purple Book).

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The GHS Subcommittee

• The United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on
  the GHS now has primary responsibility for the
  completed system, including its implementation,
  and maintenance.
• The UN Committee of Experts for the Transport of
  Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized
  Systems of Classification and Labelling of
  Chemicals formally adopted the GHS in December
  2002.

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World Summit on Sustainable Development

• The Plan of Implementation includes
• Encourage countries to implement the new
  globally harmonized system for the classification
  and labelling of chemicals as soon as possible
  with a view to having the system fully
  operational by 2008.
• Paragraph 23 (c)

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Implementation Plans

• Work has begun in international organizations on
  assessment of capacity building and technical
  assistance needs in developing countries.
• The GHS provides the platform upon which
  countries can build chemical safety programs.

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Implementation Plans (cont.)

• Pilots have begun in countries from different
  regions to determine what would help countries
  adopt and implement the system.
• Issues such as web-based technical assistance for
  countries and for companies engaged in
  implementation are being explored.

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Conclusions

• Development of the GHS has been a difficult and
  long-term process. The work that has been
  completed has required much discussion and
  compromise.
• Implementation will also require a long-term
  effort and cooperation among countries,
  international organizations, and stakeholders,
  including industry and labor representatives.

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The Globally Harmonized System of Classification
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
Historical background