Simplifying the Concept of CCCR

The concept of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS) of hazardous chemicals was taken up at the behest of the United Nations. This was done to ensure that each chemical of hazardous nature was properly documented and labeled in order to ensure safety to health and the environment. The MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets was to be one of the methods of such labeling. The option of selecting the method of labeling was left to the member country. Regulatory bodies were appointed for the MSDS as well as competent agencies. Thereafter, the CCCR or Canadian Consumer Label Review was drawn up in Canada for all hazardous chemicals sold in retail in Canada.

CCCR 2001 stipulates that all chemical substances of hazardous nature marketed in Canada will be covered by this regulation with the exclusion of those products that are already covered by another Canadian legislation. These chemicals could be an explosive, a medicine, a nuclear substance, a cosmetic or a substance use for pest control. The CCCR requires that proper labeling be adopted for each of these designated chemical substances. The identity of the product was to be spelt out in both English and French. The net quantity, the name and address of the dealer as well as the complete postal address of the place where the main business was located were all required to be mentioned on the label. Also to be mentioned were the hazard symbol and the first aid directions, the degree of toxicity and inflammability.

When do I need an International SDS?

If a chemical manufacturer or supplier is interesting in expanding their market to sell products internationally they will also need to ensure they follow international regulations, specifically the SDS. If the company currently has Canadian or U.S. compliant MSDSs for their products they will now need to convert the WHMIS and OSHA requirements to the regulations of the new countries of sale. In most cases the Canadian/U.S. MSDS will not be compliant in international countries.

Many countries and jurisdictions have their own set of chemical regulations which pertain only to that specific area. The EU is one example. Currently the EU has adopted GHS as well as their own set of regulations which is known as the CLP. Many European countries are included in the EU as well as several others which have chosen to adopt the EU GHS CLP. Several of these countries include the UK, Germany, Austria and Spain, just to name a few.

Many countries around the world have also enforced their own regulations which concern only that specific country/jurisdiction. Examples of these areas would include New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Canada and the U.S. of course are also included in this list. Fortunately these two countries can be combined on a single MSDS if companies prefer as the regulations are quite similar at the moment.

An Introduction to CCCR

CCCR or Consumer Chemicals and Container Regulations, 2001 is a set of regulations that falls under Canada’s Hazardous Products Act. It contains compliance guidelines related to handling of chemicals and substances that are sold in the retail market directly to the consumers. The Canadian Consumer Label Review keeps track of these substances that fall under this Act. It is also important to notice that the legislation does not cover substances falling under any other legislation like drugs, explosive, nuclear substances and the like.

What does CCCR stipulate?

The purpose of CCCR is to provide credible and reliable information about the substances to the persons handling and using them. The legislation makes it mandatory to display all relevant information about the substance on its label. The label of the product should contain:

• The name, scientific and otherwise, of the product in legitimate English and French
• The quantity contained within the package should be clearly displayed. In case of chemicals even minute deviations could be catastrophic, so great care should be taken for measuring and displaying
• The label should also contain relevant information about the supplier of the product and the place of the origin
• Most importantly, the label should contain comprehensive hazard information. This includes universally recognized hazard symbols, warnings, instructions for handling as well as first aid instructions to be followed in case of any untoward incident

The legislation also has provision for classifying the substances on the basis of their hazard potential. The size of the information depends on the size of the packaging and the relative importance of the information.

Relevance of MSDS Today

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets that concern all chemicals that are hazardous. Though the principle of documentation dates back 4000 years to the time of the Ancient Egyptians when their physicians would document all details pertaining to the prescriptions, the recent global effort is for the cause of bringing about an improvement in both health and safety.

The global requirement is that in the MSDS complete data is required to be filled in by the manufacturer of the hazardous chemicals. These data sheets are to be prominently displayed at the place of production, storage and testing or destruction of these chemicals. These sheets need to be carried during transportation as well. The various particulars that would require filling include the full particulars of the manufacturer including his complete address and contact numbers. The details should include the list of ingredients comprised in the hazardous chemical and their physical properties such as their nature of reactivity with other substances, the vapor pressure, the boiling point and odor. The fire hazards as well as the likely hazard of explosion or spontaneous combustion are all to be clearly mentioned. The instructions for handling spillage and fire or explosion are to be laid down. The need for various types of protective gear are to be annotated along with clear specifications on the associated hazard to health, the first aid measures and the manner in which these chemicals are to be disposed or demolished.

MSDS is not only relevant today, but also absolutely essential from the health and safety aspects.