GHS – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a system which defines and classifies hazards, and communicates health and safety information on labels and material safety data sheets (called Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs, in GHS regulations).
The main goal of GHS is to enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensive system for hard communication. This is to be achieved by adopting the same set of rules for classifying hazards and using the same format and content for labels and SDSs around the world.
“Global Harmonization” is necessary because presently many different countries have varying systems for classification and labeling of chemicals. In addition, several different systems can even exist within the same country. One problem many countries have come across is that their old systems have been too expensive for their governments to regulate and enforce. This has become costly for companies who have to comply with many different systems, as well as confusing for workers who need to understand the hazards of a chemical in order to work safely.
GHS will provide guidance on classifying pure chemicals and mixtures, according to its criteria. An SDS author must properly classify a compound in order for the target audiences (workers, transport workers, emergency responders and consumers) to understand the authored documents.
The main goal of GHS is to enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensive system for hard communication. This is to be achieved by adopting the same set of rules for classifying hazards and using the same format and content for labels and SDSs around the world.
“Global Harmonization” is necessary because presently many different countries have varying systems for classification and labeling of chemicals. In addition, several different systems can even exist within the same country. One problem many countries have come across is that their old systems have been too expensive for their governments to regulate and enforce. This has become costly for companies who have to comply with many different systems, as well as confusing for workers who need to understand the hazards of a chemical in order to work safely.
GHS will provide guidance on classifying pure chemicals and mixtures, according to its criteria. An SDS author must properly classify a compound in order for the target audiences (workers, transport workers, emergency responders and consumers) to understand the authored documents.
