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What is the GHS?The new system is known as the “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS).
It describes the classification of chemicals by hazard type and offers communication elements corresponding to these hazards, including labels and safety data sheets. The GHS also ensures that the information on the physical and toxicity hazards of chemicals is available, in order to improve the protection of human health and the environment while these products are being handled, shipped and used. It also provides a basis for harmonizing the requirements and regulations pertaining to chemicals on a national, regional and international level, which is an important factor for facilitating commercial trade.
 The first version of the GHS was published in 2003.
It has been revised twice, in 2005 and in July 2007.
The document is available on the UNECE website. This “Purple Book” must be revised every two years. Outline Preface and Table of Contents Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Physical Hazards
Part 3: Health Hazards
Part 4: Environmental Hazards
Appendices Appendix 1: Allocation of Label Elements
Appendix 2: Classification and Labelling Summary Tables
Appendix 3: Codification of Hazard Statements, Codification and Use of Precautionary Statements and Examples of Precautionary Pictograms
Appendix 4: Guidance on the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Appendix 5: Consumer Product Labelling Based on the Likelihood of Injury
Appendix 6: Testing Methodology for the Comprehensibility of Hazard Communication Elements
Appendix 7: Examples of Classification in the Globally Harmonized System
Appendix 8: An Example of Classification in the Globally Harmonized System
Appendix 9: Guidance on Hazards to the Aquatic Environment
Appendix 10: Guidance on Transformation/Dissolution of Metals and Metal Compounds in an Aquatic Environment
Summary…The GHS defines 27 hazard classes (16 classes for physical hazards, 10 classes for health hazards and 1 class for the environment) – see Appendix 3: - Explosives
- Flammable Gases
- Flammable Aerosols
- Oxidizing Gases
- Gases Under Pressure
- Flammable Liquids
- Flammable Solids
- Self-Reactive Substances and Mixtures
- Pyrophoric Liquids
- Pyrophoric Solids
- Self-Heating Substances and Mixtures
- Substances and Mixtures Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
- Oxidizing Liquids
- Oxidizing Solids
- Organic Peroxides
- Substances and Mixtures that are Corrosive to Metals - Acute Toxicity
- Skin Corrosion/Irritation
- Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
- Respiratory or Skin Sensitization
- Germ Cell Mutagenicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Reproductive Toxicity
- Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure
- Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure
- Aspiration Hazard - Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment Hazards will be communicated on labels and safety data sheets: A label must include – see Part 1, Chapter 1.4 and Appendices 1 and 2: - Product Identification
- Supplier Identity
- Hazard Pictograms
- Warning Statements
- Hazard Statements
- Precautionary Advice and Warning Pictograms
An SDS must have 16 sections (the same ones as currently in place with REACH) – see Part 1, Chapter 1.5 and Appendix 4.
Additional information is available at the following sites: INRS – GHS Application: Making the Transition to New Labelling for Hazardous Chemicals
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