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Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international system developed by the United Nations to standardize chemical hazard communication. The GHS aims to reduce testing needs and facilitate international trade by providing a single set of criteria for classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information. It will be implemented by many countries, including Australia, by 2008. The GHS standardizes pictograms, labels, and safety data sheets to convey chemical hazard types and severity through a uniform language. Australia is developing national regulations based on the GHS to enhance workplace chemical safety.

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Domenic Di Biasi
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33 views2 pages

Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international system developed by the United Nations to standardize chemical hazard communication. The GHS aims to reduce testing needs and facilitate international trade by providing a single set of criteria for classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information. It will be implemented by many countries, including Australia, by 2008. The GHS standardizes pictograms, labels, and safety data sheets to convey chemical hazard types and severity through a uniform language. Australia is developing national regulations based on the GHS to enhance workplace chemical safety.

Uploaded by

Domenic Di Biasi
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© © All Rights Reserved
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INFORMATION SHEET

GHS

GLOBALLY HARMONISED SYSTEM > reduce the need for testing and evaluation
OF CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING of chemicals, and
OF CHEMICALS > facilitate international trade in chemicals whose
The GHS – an international approach hazards have been properly assessed and
to managing chemical hazards identified on an international basis.
Although chemicals are extensively traded on a GHS Pictograms
global basis, different countries often use different Pictograms are a key hazard communication tool
systems for the classification of chemical types and within the GHS. They are designed to appear on
communication of associated chemical hazards. chemical labels. The pictograms give an immediate
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification indication of the type of hazard that the chemical
and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) has been may pose. They are intended to be used in
developed by the United Nations. The GHS is combination with other harmonised GHS elements
an important new tool that countries can use to which together convey information about the type,
develop or enhance their own national chemical severity and management of chemical hazards. See
regulation systems. The GHS provides a uniform reverse page for the new GHS pictograms.
way of classifying chemicals, as well as informing GHS and Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
chemical users about chemical hazards they may
A significant number of countries, including
be exposed to.
Australia, have indicated they will implement
The GHS builds on the attributes of existing national the GHS as a key part of their national chemical
regulatory systems to form a single international regulation systems by 2008.
system that has application across a wide range
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council is
of chemicals and hazard types. The GHS when
developing a national OHS standard and associated
implemented will:
codes of practice which will be based on the key
> enhance the protection of human health and classification and communication elements of the
the environment by providing an internationally GHS. These documents will facilitate the use of
comprehensible system for hazard best practice in managing chemical hazards in
communication Australian workplaces.
> provide a recognised framework for those
countries without an existing system
GHS PICTOGRAMS

EXPLOSIVE FLAMMABLE OXIDISING

GASES UNDER PRESSURE CORROSIVE ACUTE TOXICITY

HEALTH HAZARDS ACUTE HEALTH HAZARDS ENVIRONMENTAL


INCLUDING OF LOWER SEVERITY HAZARD
CARCINOGENICITY
AND SPECIFIC TARGET
ORGAN SYSTEMIC TOXICITY

CONTACT US
For more information about the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling
www.ascc.gov.au
of Chemicals visit: www.ascc.gov.au email: [email protected] telephone: 02 6121 6000

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