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UN GHS - Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
The UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international system created by the UN to address the classification of chemicals by types of hazard and harmonize hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It aims at providing a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations on chemicals at national, regional and worldwide level, an important factor also for trade facilitation. GHS has been introduced to many countries/regions such as Europe, USA, China, Japan and Korea, etc via their own legislation or standards.
UN GHS comprises standards for:
- Classification of chemicals based on their hazards;
- Labeling requirements;
- Safety Data Sheet Requirements;.
UN GHS is updated frequently and the latest version was the 6th revised edition released in 2015. Compared withGHS Rev.5(2013), GHS Rev.6(2015) includes, inter alia, a new hazard class for desensitized explosives and a new hazard category for pyrophoric gases; miscellaneous provisions intended to clarify the criteria for some hazard classes (explosives, specific target organ toxicity following single exposure, aspiration hazard and hazardous to the aquatic environment); additional information to be included in the Safety Data Sheets (section 9); revised and further rationalized precautionary statements and a new example in Annex 7 addressing labelling of small packagings.