Chemical Evaluation and Classification Systems Eureach Program

摘要

Countries all over the world have implemented and are enforcing laws and regulations that require evaluation and communication of the hazard of chemical products. It can be a burdensome task for companies shipping chemicals worldwide to comply with the national requirements for chemical hazard determination and communication. The presentation will provide an overview of the differences and similarities between different evaluation and classification systems and will also help attendees understand how different systems are related to each other. The evaluation of chemical substances and mixtures follows varies rationale in different regions of the world and also within these regions. And the responsibilities of the chemical manufacturers and importers with respect to hazard evaluation and determination vary greatly from country to country. The different regulatory systems for hazard determination and classification have evolved to a few major systems. Some systems include criteria for physical, health and environment hazards, while other systems only include one or two of these hazards. These major systems are presented and discussed with respect to their definition of hazardous substances and of hazardous mixtures, their method for hazard determination, supplier/manufacturer responsibilities and their method for hazard communication. This includes the Canadian, the US/OSHA, the EU and the UN/transport systems. Systems that are linked to these, e. g. the Australian, the Korean, and the Chinese systems are presented as well. In addition some existing " stand alone systems for hazard evaluation and classification are presentedL The Japanese, and the Swiss as well as the WHO/UN/ILO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC). Focus is on the definition of hazardous substances and mixtures and on the method for hazard determination and communication. Finlly the hazard definition and hazard determination via the UN system for Global Harmonized for Classification and Labeling (GHS) is discussed. Anumber of examples of chemical substances and mixtures will be used to illustrate the differences and similarities with respect to hazard determination of physical, health and environmental hazards. The impact of the EU REACH system (registration, evaluation, authorization, restriction) on the suppliers'and manufacturers'responsibilities will be discussed. REACHhas been launched to modernize the existing EU chemicals management system. The newly created uniform system for all substances will move the 'burden of proof from the government to the industry, to support making sufficient information available about the properties of existing substances and to deliver risk assessments within a reasonable timeframe. the new chemicals regulation is expected to come into force in 2006.