The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

摘要

This presentation will focus on The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). GHS is the culmination of more than a decade of work and was adopted by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in July 2003. There were many individuals involved, from a multitude of countries, international organizations, and stakeholder organizations. Their work spanned a wide range of expertise, from toxicology to fire protection and ultimately required extensive goodwill and the willingness to compromise, in order to develop a single, globally harmonized system to address classification of chemicals according to their hazards and communicate the related information through labels and safety data sheets. While governments, regional institutions and international organizations are the primary audiences for the GHS, it also contains sufficient context and guidance for those in industry who will ultimately be implementing the national requirements which are adopted. Availability of information about chemicals, their hazards, and ways to protect people, will provide the foundation for national programs for the safe management of chemicals. Harmonization will also have benefits in terms of facilitating international trade, by promoting greater consistency in the national requirements for chemical hazard classification and communication that companies engaged in international trade must meet.