Background

In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals as well as safety data sheets. The United States was an active participant in the development of the GHS, and is a member of the UN bodies established to maintain and coordinate implementation of the system. The official text of the GHS can be found on the UN web page.

OSHA Implementation

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has provisions that are similar to the GHS. In May 2005, the Agency added to its regulatory agenda consideration of rulemaking to revise the HCS to align its requirements with the GHS. As the first step in that rulemaking process, OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on September 12, 2006. (Also available as a 3 MB PDF, 11 pages.) 

The ANPR explains the history of the development of the GHS, including OSHA’s involvement in the process. It also indicates how alignment with the GHS would affect the requirements of the HCS, and asks a series of questions to allow the public an opportunity to provide input. The comment period closed on November 13, 2006. Comments submitted are available on OSHA’s web page under the e-docket section. The Docket Number is H022K. This October 2006 Powerpoint presentation (162 KB PPT^*, 51 slides) provides more information about the ANPR, the impact of the GHS on the HCS, and other implementation issues.

In addition to the ANPR, OSHA has prepared a Guide to the GHS to provide interested stakeholders a substantive discussion of the system’s requirements. (Also available as a 775 KB PDF, 90 pages.) 

OSHA has also completed a detailed comparison of the provisions of the GHS to the requirements of the HCS. This document indicates the changes that would have to be made to be consistent with the GHS. (Also available as a 901 KB PDF, 153 pages.)

• Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
   
• Global Harmonization of Hazard Classification and Labeling Systems. US Department of Transportation (DOT).
   
• Policy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Implementation in Other Countries

• The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Health Canada.
   
• GHS. European Commission, European Union.
   
• Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Public Comment. Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC).
   
• GHS: Status of Implementation. UN Economic Commission. Tracks international implementation.
   
• WSSD Global Partnership for Capacity Building to Implement the GHS. The United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR). UNITAR is the focal point for helping developing countries implement the GHS, as part of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The United States is part of an international partnership on this topic.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing OSHA PDF and PPT materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.