• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Research
    • Markets & Technologies
    • Raw Materials
    • Top Companies
    • Directories
    • Jobs
    • Events
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Research
  • Markets & Technologies
  • Raw Materials
  • Top Companies
  • Directories
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Business Corner
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    World Reports
    eBook
    Top Features
    CPMA Celebrates 100 Years of Leadership for the Color Pigments Industry

    Aerospace Coatings Market

    Energy Curing and Coil Coatings

    Lab/Testing Equipment Update

    High Performance and Special Effect Pigments
    Breaking News
    Online Exclusives
    Distributor News
    Financial News
    Paint & Coatings Manufacturer News
    People In the News
    Price Increases
    Product News
    Raw Materials & Equipment
    Video Bites
    Suppliers News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    RPM to Announce Fiscal 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on July 24, 2025

    Nouryon Earns Awards from Texas Chemical Council and the Texas Chemistry Alliance

    Śnieżka Group Earns Higher Position in ESG Ranking

    SONGWON Appoints New Leader Business Unit Tin Intermediates / PVC

    Cabot Corporation Achieves Platinum Rating from EcoVadis
    Top Companies report
    Market Research
    White Papers / Tech Papers
    Technical Papers
    Product Spec Sheets
    World Reports
    Adhesives and Sealants
    Aerospace Coatings
    Architectural Coatings
    Automotive Coatings
    Automotive Refinish
    Business Operation
    Color Trends & Forecast
    Construction Chemicals
    Corrosion Control
    Industrial Coatings
    Laboratory Equipment
    Marine Coatings
    Market Trends & Forecast
    Powder Coatings
    Production Equipment
    Radcure Coatings
    Special Purpose Coatings
    Wood Coatings
    "Green" Coatings

    ROSS Introduces Custom Coaxial Mixer for Complex Formulations

    AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinishes, Solera to Enable Data-Driven Sustainability

    PPG Revitalizes School in France as Part of COLORFUL COMMUNITIES 10-year Celebration

    Jotun Joins RightShip’s Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program

    Tnemec Launches New Waterborne Epoxy Products
    Additives
    Binders
    Pigments
    Solvents

    Safic Alcan to Distribute Evonik Functional Silanes in Central Eastern Europe

    CPMA Celebrates 100 Years of Leadership for the Color Pigments Industry

    Orion S.A. Earns 10 Safety Awards from ICBA

    OXERRA Expands Augusta Facility to Enhance U.S. Distribution Capabilities

    Münzing Expands U.S. Operations with New Production Facility in South Carolina
    Company Capabilities
    Buyers Guide
    Distributor Guide
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Gehring Montgomery Inc

    Siltech Corporation

    Evonik Corporation

    Vibrantz Technologies

    WAB US Corp
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Top Events
    ABRAFATI SHOW 2025

    Paint Bangladesh 2025

    Paint Expo Eurasia

    CEPE Annual Conference

    Western Coatings Show
    Companies
    White Papers/Tech Papers
    Product Spec Sheets
    Equipment
    Literature/Brochures
    Videos
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Gehring Montgomery Inc

    Siltech Corporation

    Evonik Corporation

    Vibrantz Technologies

    WAB US Corp
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Business Corner
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Directories
      • Buyers Guide
      • Distributor Guide
      • Corporate Capabilities
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Markets & Technologies
      • Adhesives and Sealants
      • Aerospace Coatings
      • Architectural Coatings
      • Automotive Coatings
      • Automotive Refinish
      • Business Operation
      • Color Trends & Forecast
      • Construction Chemicals
      • Corrosion Control
      • Industrial Coatings
      • Laboratory Equipment
      • Marine Coatings
      • Market Trends & Forecast
      • Powder Coatings
      • Production Equipment
      • Radcure Coatings
      • Special Purpose Coatings
      • Wood Coatings
      • "Green" Coatings
    • Raw Materials
      • Additives
      • Binders
      • Pigments
      • Solvents
    • World Reports
      • Africa Report
      • China Report
      • India/Asia Pacific Report
      • Europe Report
      • Latin America Report
      • Market Research
      • Russian Report
    • Top Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Glossary
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Blog
    • eBook
    • Infographics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Microsites
      • Companies
      • White Papers/Tech Papers
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Equipment
      • Literature/Brochures
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Event
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Expert's Opinion

    Understanding the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

    ...

    Nikki Burgess, DGSA, CDGP, Staff Regulatory Specialist, Labelmaster04.06.15
     
    One way governments and regulatory agencies help facilitate international trade – and improve employee safety along the way – is through the adoption of international standards for hazard communication.

    One such initiative – OSHA’s 2012 Hazard Communication Standard – seeks to align workplace hazard communication in the U.S. with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). If you’re confused about how the implementation of GHS is going to impact your business, you’re not alone.

    With key implementation deadlines approaching later in 2015, it’s vital that companies know how the implementation of the GHS for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals impacts their company. The first step to understanding what GHS means is knowing what the regulations are actually regulating.

    The bulk of the heavy lifting during the transition to GHS belongs to chemical manufacturers and distributors. However, businesses must be aware of several key requirements and changes including new chemical classifications, new safety data sheets (SDSs) and new labels.

    Understanding GHS for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

    In March 2012, OSHA revised its 1983 Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) by aligning it with the United Nations’ global chemical communication system: the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This action represented the single biggest change to workplace safety communication in nearly 30 years.

    The UN adopted GHS a decade ago, and as of early 2013, 67 countries have folded GHS into their hazard communication standards. Without adopting HCS 2012, U.S. chemical manufacturers faced the risk of being shut out of many of the world’s largest markets, including China and most of Europe.

    GHS is about improving the hazard communication standard (HCS) that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates for chemicals in the workplace. That means any potentially hazardous chemical in an office, warehouse, manufacturing area and shipping dock that requires a warning label and a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) will probably need to be reclassified, relabeled and re-documented with a new Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

    Keep in mind, however, that unless you actually manufacture the chemicals, you probably won’t have to do the reclassifying, relabeling and re-documenting. That will be up to the manufacturers of the chemicals.

    Businesses will still be responsible for training employees on the new standards and ensuring the labeling and documentation for the chemicals in the workplace comply with the new standards by June 1, 2016. Those who repackage chemicals for sale or distribution will have to ensure everything that goes out the door is compliant.

    If you are a manufacturer of chemicals, hopefully you are well on your way with the GHS conversion, because after June 1, 2015, everything you make and ship will need to comply with the new standards.

    Getting the Picture with New Labels

    One of the most visible aspects of the new OSHA regulations is a new, more informative labeling system for all containers of hazardous chemicals. Under the old system, there was a label requirement, and that was about all the detail provided.

    The new system incorporates a standardized, pictogram-based format intended to assist employees in understanding the hazards associated with the chemicals they work with despite potential language barriers. The new labels now include the product identifier, signal word, pictograms, supplier identification, hazard statement(s) and precautionary statement(s).

    It’s important to remember that these labels are applied to each shipped container of hazardous chemicals. HCS 2012 may not require labels on the outside shipping container, but DOT labels may be required.

    Several types of containers, most notably drums, chemical totes and tanks, serve as both the immediate container and the shipping packaging. In such cases, any required GHS label elements can be applied separately or combined with the DOT-required labels.

    From MSDS to SDS

    The HCS 2012 also requires the conversion of current MSDS to SDS.

    With the new SDS, chemical safety information is organized into 16 sections, providing consistency and harmonization for easy access to vital information.

    The HCS 2012 (US 29 CFR 1910.1200) includes detailed instructions for gathering and organizing the information required to convert existing MSDS to SDS.

    Consider enlisting a third-party provider to assist the conversion to SDS. When choosing this option, it’s important to look for companies with prior environmental health and safety experience, particularly with regard to the chemicals with which you work.

    Labelmaster, in partnership with Quantum, offers a full service MSDS to SDS conversion service to help businesses comply quickly and easily with the new GHS, removing the time-consuming burden from chemical manufacturers’ internal staff.

    New Classifications for Chemicals

    One of the most daunting aspects of OSHA’s HCS 2012 is the need to reclassify hazardous chemicals. Under the outgoing HCS, “classification” was not formally defined because the standard required an “assessment of hazard” rather than classification. That changed in the HCS 2012, as “classification” is clearly mandated.

    The responsibility for classifying a chemical starts with the manufacturer. Ideally, all manufacturers in the U.S. will have completed their HCS 2012 compliance efforts by the June 1, 2015 deadline, and all the chemicals will flow into commerce safely and compliantly.

    Anyone who repackages the chemical for distribution can simply transfer the compliant label and SDS information. There would be no need to reclassify a chemical unless it is mixed with other substances.

    Importers receiving chemicals from a country that doesn’t follow GHS will have to perform the classification before allowing chemicals into the U.S. market.

    For businesses in general, the only time a chemical will need to be reclassified is if it’s believed the current information provided with the chemical is insufficient or incorrect.
    Key Implementation Dates

    It’s important that companies understand the remaining key compliance deadlines specified under HCS 2012:

    June 1, 2015 – By this date, chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers must comply with all modified provisions. All should have completed their reclassification of chemicals and be shipping GHS formatted SDS’s and labels with their shipments.

    December 1, 2015 – Distributors begin shipping containers labeled by the chemical manufacturer or importer with a compliant label.

    June 1, 2016 – By this date companies must update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication programs as necessary and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards.

    In Conclusion

    Reclassifying, labeling and re-documenting all the hazardous chemicals in this country is a huge undertaking. But it’s extremely important, not only from a global commerce perspective, but from a risk management perspective as well.

    It’s important to remember that hazard communication serves two purposes: to help inform employees about the risks of exposure to harmful chemicals, and to help protect businesses from liability. By complying with the provisions of HCS 2012 by the required deadlines, businesses can help improve employee safety, reduce risk of liability and ensure operations proceed smoothly into the future.
    Related Searches
    • Market Trends & Forecast
    • osha
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Market Trends & Forecast
      Loading, Please Wait..
      Breaking News
      • RPM to Announce Fiscal 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on July 24, 2025
      • Nouryon Earns Awards from Texas Chemical Council and the Texas Chemistry Alliance
      • Śnieżka Group Earns Higher Position in ESG Ranking
      • SONGWON Appoints New Leader Business Unit Tin Intermediates / PVC
      • Cabot Corporation Achieves Platinum Rating from EcoVadis
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May/June 2025

      • Aerospace Coatings Market
      • Energy Curing and Coil Coatings
      • Lab/Testing Equipment Update
      • High Performance and Special Effect Pigments
      • View More >

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Gattefossé Opens New Facilities in Mumbai, India
      TSI Group Unveils myHMB + Vitamin D Logo
      Indena to Showcase Metabolic, Brain Health Solutions at In-Vitality 2024

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      RPM to Announce Fiscal 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on July 24, 2025
      Nouryon Earns Awards from Texas Chemical Council and the Texas Chemistry Alliance
      Śnieżka Group Earns Higher Position in ESG Ranking

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      StimLabs's Umbilical Cord-Derived Wound Care Product Released in U.S.
      New Medical-Grade Bio-Based PVC Compounds Introduced
      Croívalve Reports 1st Tricuspid Coaptation Valve Implant in U.S. Feasibility Study

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Neurocrine Bioscience’s CRENESSITY Becomes Commercially Available in the U.S.
      Roche's Parkinson's Disease Drug Misses Primary Endpoint
      PTC Therapeutics Submits Vantiquinone NDA to FDA

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Weekly Recap: Coty Sells SKKN, Henkel Recall, Awards, & More
      Rare Beauty to Host Pop-Up Event with Sephora UK
      Cloud Haircare Expands to Walmart Stores Nationwide

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Cosmetify Names Nikkie de Jager the World’s Most Powerful Beauty Influencer
      Big Lips in the Small Wonder
      L’Oréal’s Bioprinted Skin & Dove’s Deodorant Launch

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      BCF Sponsors Parliamentary Event to Engage with Policymakers
      Weekly Recap: DIC Corporation, BASF, Toyo Printing Inks Top This Week’s Stories
      INX International Launches Innova Plus NCF Nitrocellulose-Free Inks

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Mexico's Flexopolis adds second Bobst flexo press
      Paramount Labels installs Rotatek Brava 450
      Esko teams with Bobst for smartGRAVURE System

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Harper Hygienics Introduces Microbiome Care Baby Wipes
      Drylock Technologies Offers Packaging Breakthrough
      Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      David Thordarson Takes Charge of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
      UPM Biomedicals Launches FibGel Injectable Nanocellulose Hydrogel for Medical Devices
      ONWARD Medical Attracts €50 Million in Capital

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Weekly Recap: DuPont, SEMI, Sun Chemical Top This Week’s Stories
      ORNL’s 3D-Printed Metal Molds Poised to Accelerate US Auto Manufacturing
      SRI, NSIC are Catalyzing Corporate Innovation in Japan

      Copyright © 2025 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login