Chief Directorate Communication | 2011.00.00
What is the GHS ?
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Is a Globally agreed system that harmonises classification
and labelling of chemicals & products to protect people –
Workers, and
The Public
It will replace ALL previous symbols on labels It will have an impact on all of us in some way !
What is the GHS ?
A logical and comprehensive approach to:
Defining physical, health, and environmental hazards
Applying agreed hazard criteria to classify
chemicals based on their hazardous effects
Communicating hazard information via Safety
Data Sheets – SDS, for Industry, and
Labels, for Consumer use
Why the change to GHS ?
• Different countries had different systems and symbols, often leading to confusion
Why was the GHS developed?
Chemicals contribute to improving the
standard of living around the world for:
Purifying water
Promoting growth of food
Improving hygiene
Producing essential goods
Use of these chemicals can also involve risks
to safety and health if not handled correctly
How extensive is chemical use?
Chemicals are part of our daily life & all we do
The world’s largest substance data base is the Chemical
Abstracts Service Registry - CAS:
Currently has over 60 million organic and inorganic substances recorded
Potential for harm to people is great:Chemicals cause a broad range of health effects and adverse
effects on the environmentThe International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that 25%
of workplace deaths worldwide are due to chemical exposures
Knowledge is essential to safe use
What is the purpose of the GHS?
To provide better information to people
To improve handling and use
Most products - performance chemicals !
Designed for a specific purpose e.g. Paint
Workplace is a controlled environment –communication through Training, SDS & Labels
Retail for the consumer is an uncontrolled environment – communication is through Labels
Hazard information needs to be
clear and simple
Chief Directorate Communication | 2011.00.00
Systems of communicating chemical hazards
Agreement to develop harmonised hazard
communication system – 1992
GHS First Issue – 2003
Feasibility study
in SA - 2002
Chief Directorate Communication | 2011.00.00
Feasibility study focus
• Provide data on comprehensibility of labels
and SDS presently used
• Provide data on the comprehensibility of
proposed GHS symbols to be used
• Identify areas of low comprehension where
training will be required
• Identify areas needing to be addressed during
GHS implementation.
Chief Directorate Communication | 2011.00.00
Feasibility study results
Respondents from Chemical Industries, Transport and Agriculture
• Understanding of labels and SDS generally low
• Individuals with in health and safety fraternity had better
understanding
• Elements such as the “skull and bone” and “flammable” symbols
were well understood.
Feasibility study results continue,
• Comprehension of other less common symbols was poor
• A culture of SDS use was not evident
• Red was understood to denote the highest level of hazard
• Limited training interventions resulted in a significant impact
Feasibility study recommendations
• Training should be integral part of GHS implementation
• Safety symbols should where practicable be included on
SDS
• Hazard statements should be explained
• Less complex language should be used for hazard
communication material
• Wide based education program is needed
• Other sources of information such as poison info centers
and informed health personal should be introduced
simultaneously with GHS
GHS Communication
Step 1 - Classify
Step 2 - Compile Safety Data Sheet - SDS
Step 3 - Design Label
New pictogram are ALL red diamonds
With black symbols on a white background
Hazard information needs to be
clear and simple !
GHS: 16 Physical & 10 Health Hazards
Physical 1. Explosives
2. Flammable gases, incl. unstable
3. Aerosols
4. Oxidizing gases
5. Gases under pressure
6. Flammable liquids
7. Flammable solids
8. Self-reactive substances & mixtures
9. Pyrophoric liquids
10. Pyrophoric solids
11. Self-heating substances & mixtures
12. Substances & mixtures: contact with water, emit flammable gases
13. Oxidising liquids
14. Oxidizing solids
15. Organic peroxides
16. Corrosive to metals
Health 1. Acute toxicity
2. Skin corrosion/irritation
3. Serious eye damage/eye irritant
4. Respiratory or skin sensitiser
5. Germ cell mutagenicity
6. Carcinogenicity
7. Reproductive toxicity
8. Specific target organ toxicity Single exposure
9. Specific target organ toxicity Repeated exposure
10. Aspiration hazard
Which Countries require it?
• The GHS started in 2002, and has rapidly been taken into Legislation around the world
• Japan, New Zealand and the EU were the first • EU – REACH & CLP since 2011 for single substances & 1 June 2015 final date for mixtures - most consumer products
• China, Japan & Korea have an agreement for 2015. Canada, USA, Brazil & Chile have Regulations
• UNITAR have assisted countries in Africa & SADC, the Caribbean, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Columbia and former Russian Countries.
• SADC has a Policy for ALL counties to implement
Most countries now require as condition for Trade
GHS implementation around the world
• phtt://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/implementation_e.html
SADC Policy: All CountriesImplementation Target January 2020
Trade & Industry Ministers from All SADC countries Signed Policy to implement the GHS on 30 Nov 2012
A transitional period was agreed, as not all countries will be able to move at the same pace.
Transitional period of 5 years was proposed after a regional harmonised framework is in place agreed by National Lead Agents & other departments
Target date for full implementation in ALL SADC countries is 2020Essential that countries not yet started do so asap
to ensure no TBT to those lagging behind
South Africa: Implications
It will add better information on health & environmental
not just physical hazards
SDS are no longer MSDS and shall be in compliance with
ISO/SANS 11014 : 2009/10
Labels will have the new GHS red diamond symbols,
NOT the old EU orange square !
Employees will be seeing GHS symbols on raw materials in
workplace & products in the stores
Companies who have not yet started need to !
Awareness raising & training, urgent to start
• To avoid being a barrier to Trade
South Africa: Progress
• Corroboration project May 2013
– Department of Labour
– Department of Health
– Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
– Department of Environmental Affairs
– KEMi
• Recommendations :
– Awareness raining of chemical hazards
– Incorporation of GHS into legislation
– Training programs for GHS / classification
– Labels and SDS complaint with GHS
– Risk assessment / exposure assessment
– Control of exposure
Way forward
• Continued collaboration and referrals
• GHS training
• Awareness campaigns
• Incorporation into legislation
• Enforcement
• Improvement of chemical health and safety