News & Events

WE ARE READY FOR GHS LIFT OFF - ARE YOU?

Date: 23/10/14

GHS Is Just Around The Corner

From 2015, many regions will be affected by changes to chemical labelling and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in a way not seen before, all based on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) initially developed at the UN Rio Conference of 1992.

At MacDermid Autotype, we have been getting ready for GHS for a while. Thanks to our association with organisations such as ESMA, FESPA and SGIA, we were able to influence legislators to make the new regulations as workable as possible for the industry we all work in. So we can speak with a good degree of authority on the subject and we have even set up a panel of regional experts so that you can email our  GHS experts with your questions

Remember it is not just manufacturers...

Distributors, formulators, end users as well as manufacturers, regardless of size, are affected by the legislation covering packaging and accompanying documentation.  There are no exemptions based on the type of business you run - if you are located somewhere in the chemical supply chain you are duty bound to understand and comply with these regulations.
It would be impossible in a short article to explain every aspect of GHS, but we have tried to capture the key areas of change as bulleted below:

The six components of the new regulations

    1.    Hazard label - this must state in a specific format, including the new pictograms, exactly how hazardous the chemicals in question are
    2.    Hazard statements such as Precautionary Statements and Signal Words (these can only be “Danger” or “Warning”)
    3.    Avoidance of prohibited terms - like “eco” or similar (note this also includes trade names)
    4.    New pictograms
    5.    Strict SDS guidelines - including specifics on identification, composition, information on ingredients, fire fighting and first aid recommendations and several more mandatory fields
    6.    Packaging - needs to be strong enough for reasonable handling, including prevention of escapes

Remember, GHS is a global standard, but its implementation differs from region to region. In the EU, all chemical products will have to be labelled to meet GHS by June 2015. The same deadline applies to the USA. Right now, however, many suppliers and manufacturers in that country are struggling to come to terms with their version (called OSHA's HCS 2012).

Meanwhile, in Canada, regulations should also be in place by 2015, though a final published version isn’t yet available. This leaves distributors and manufacturers with little time to digest the relevant information prior to implementation. In many parts of Asia, you should already be complying with GHS. The UN Economic Commission for Europe provides a good starting point to the regulations at global level.


A steep learning curve

If, unlike our company, you have not been involved with the implementation of GHS you may find the next few months particularly challenging.  Your labelling practices may need radical change, as well as all your support documentation (SDSs).  In addition, your task may be made even more complicated by the subtle differences at regional level, if your business deals with more than one country.  Ensuring that your staff are fully conversant with the substantial changes required can be very demanding, thus partnering with businesses with our level of expertise will without a doubt save you valuable time and money.